"Check Coolant" light always on!

[attomica]

This light illuminated just a couple of days ago. I took it to a Quick Lube, thinking the radiator needed more coolant. Nope...it's full. And there are no visible leaks. Now, the "Check Coolant" light is on all the time. Anyone have any ideas about this? Thanks.

[bigrod118]

it may sound stupid, and im not saying you are, but have you checked the overflow. it might just be low. mine does that. I have a small leak in the overflow tank itself not it the collant system anywhere. but when it gets low, the sensor in there thinks that you have a leak so its cuking from the overflow and that is getting low. just fill the overflow up to the fill line, its really low, on the side, kinda hard to see with the air filter in the way, but just take a glass or two of antifreeze or just a little bit of water, fill it up a bit and start your car. if the cars running the ilght wont shut off, it was to be off, or restarted. but I would try that.

[attomica]

You hit it right on the head! I went out and checked that and, sure enough, it was low. I've never seen a car with a sensor for the overflow tank. Filled it up and the problem's gone. I should go tell the "mechanic" at the quick lube about it too.

[bigrod118]

sure no prob. always glad to help

[py1188]

where is the coolant overflow? Sorry for the noob question, but is that just the reservoir on the front right hand side of the vehicle??

[bigrod118]

yep thats it. the resivoir. overflow, same thing. but thats it.

[py1188]

Thanks, I have the exact same problem, and will try the fix today

[homefree]

I had the same problem and it ended up being a water pump. The car only had like 80,000 miles on it.

[py1188]

Well I filled the reservoir and the light went away. The car only has 42,000 miles on it but it is 13 years old. When I start it up now, however, in these arctic cold temps we're having here in Chicago, I hear this weird sqealing like hissing noise from the driver side of the enine bay. It goes away after the car warms up however. Any clues as to wht this problem may be??

[cricket8302003]

did you try tightning the alternator belt it may help