New radiator, new warning message...

[LesGrandsPieds]

I recently had my radiator replaced and when I first got the car back, the DIC said "Coolant low" so I popped the hood and the coolant looked fine, but I trusted the car and put some more in anyway. I figured better safe than sorry. So now I've got so much coolant, the surge tank is filled up way past the max line, but it still says my coolant is low. I talked to the guy who put in the new radiator and he said that it could be an air bubble that just fooled the sensor into thinking that the coolant was low and it would go away eventually, but it hasn't. I've noticed that the car is running a tad hotter than normal, too!

What should I do? Is there a valve that I can open to release the air bubble, if indeed there is one, or should I pop my CarChip in and see if it can tell me anything more?

By the way, I was watching SpikeTV (HorsePower TV) and they were putting a motor together with an electric water pump. It looked like it could be a really awesome alternative to a belt-driven one. Would it be possible for me to ditch my serpintine belt and get an electric water pump instead?

[Isnibs]

To much coolant in the surge tank is bad as there is no room for the coolant to go when the engine heats up.
You have two coolant level sensors one in the surge tank and one in the rad.
I would first check out the one in the rad, check the wires are connected then the surge tank to see if it is gunked up

[chris_fit]

I had the same problem when I got a flush done. The sensor in the surge tank, which is like the one in your everyday toilet, was simply stuck on the bottom (it's supposed to rise up with the water) Nudged it a little and everything is fine.

Make sure you get this taken care of as your fans are probably on and blowing hard the entire time, as the computer thinks you are low on coolant.

[Sweet William]

Your water pump runs off the drivers side end of the camshaft not off the serpintine belt. It's not something I would really consider worthwhile doing.

[rodtice]

I wouldn't change the pump, that would put more strain on the electrical system.

The fan's are dependant on engine temperature and weather the ac is on or not coolant level is just a driver warning.

[LesGrandsPieds]

Originally Posted by chris_fit

I had the same problem when I got a flush done. The sensor in the surge tank, which is like the one in your everyday toilet, was simply stuck on the bottom (it's supposed to rise up with the water) Nudged it a little and everything is fine.

Where is the sensor? I can't seem to find it. Do I have to pull something out to get to it?

[Isnibs]

In my manual it shows an electrical plug connection at about the center bottom of the surge tank (it doesn't show the sensor).
I'm not sure but you may have to empty the tank to see it. Maybe use a turkey baster.
Is that truck or monster?

[LesGrandsPieds]

Okay, it can't be the sensor in the surge tank. I took off two of the screws and got it really really lose on there. I then unplugged the sensor on the bottom, since I was now able to move it up high enough to reach it with my hand under it. Then, I shook the living daylights out of it! I was thinking that if the float is really stuck, that would probably be the best way to get it unstuck. It didn't work. I also siphoned all the coolant out of the surge tank completly and refilled it with some new coolant.

Is it possible to tell if sensor on the radiator is plugged in without taking the radiator cover off first? I really don't wanna take the stupid thing off again.

Since my surge tank has the partition between the water cap and the rest of the container, I don't know how I could nudge the float. It's blocked by this huge partition!

[LesGrandsPieds]

I have the online manual and I looked up the sensor for the radiator, but I can't seem to locate it! Could my radiator have it in an unusual place (maybe on the opposite side)? Aren't the replacements supposed to be identical to the originals? I thought maybe I looked at the diagram wrong, but I checked the other side just ot be sure and it's not on the left side either. I don't know where it is and I can't even find the place where I would think the sensor would be inserted.

I don't get it! What if my radiator just doesn't have a sensor for some reason? Would that mean I would have to put up with the little dingy noise for eternity and have to have my coolant fans running nonstop all the time?

[GuMan]

I just found one of my tanks is cracked on my
1995. Looking at the setup more closely
today, it doesn't look like a big job. However,
my shop manuals do not show any sensor or
level switch on the radiator itself. As far as the
"Coolant Low" PCM code, the manual states
clearly that it is set by the level switch in the
coolant tank.

One thing to try is to unplug the coolant sensor
from the harness, up underneath the tank.
I don't recall if the switch is supposed to be an
open or a short when the float is up. I would
think it would be a short. If this is the case,
you should be able to fool the PCM by putting
a jumper wire between the two terminals on the
harness side of this connection. If that makes
your PCM code clear, then it is the float switch.

These float switches have been know to get
stuck pretty stubborn like. I have heard of
people getting the system flushed and having
to replace the switch because the high flow
of that the service tech used through the tank
cause it to bend. The dealership I go to takes
off the upper hose and hooks up a flush
machine inline at the radiator. The tank just
gets a quick rinse by hand.

I would recommend, if you can, to take the tank
out and flip it over and check the switch with
an ohm meter, or jumper the connector and see
if that is what is causing the problem.

GuMan

[Isnibs]

Originally Posted by LesGrandsPieds

I have the online manual and I looked up the sensor for the radiator, but I can't seem to locate it! Could my radiator have it in an unusual place (maybe on the opposite side)? Aren't the replacements supposed to be identical to the originals? I thought maybe I looked at the diagram wrong, but I checked the other side just ot be sure and it's not on the left side either. I don't know where it is and I can't even find the place where I would think the sensor would be inserted.

I don't get it! What if my radiator just doesn't have a sensor for some reason? Would that mean I would have to put up with the little dingy noise for eternity and have to have my coolant fans running nonstop all the time?

Try looking for some loose wires and plug near where the sensor is located. (as per your manual)

Talk to the guy who put in the new radiator,maybe he said that it could be an air bubble just fool you.
Ask him where the sensor is as it seems he didn't do his job properly.

Or make up a song that goes with the rythm of the ding.
Sorry.

[The Rebel]

I agree....Go back to the tech that did the job!

[LesGrandsPieds]

Okay, well the mechanic tried his best and since the sensor in the overflow tank is permanently mounted, it looks like the only solution is to replace the tank. I tried shaking it, but that didn't do it and I tried to figure out if I could get to the float, but I couldn't, so there really aren't any other options. It probably just got itself stuck really good in there.

[The Rebel]

Tap it...it should float back up to the top.
Oh. one more thing, "Reset", the DIC (drivers information center)

[Isnibs]

Originally Posted by LesGrandsPieds

Okay, well the mechanic tried his best and since the sensor in the overflow tank is permanently mounted, it looks like the only solution is to replace the tank. I tried shaking it, but that didn't do it and I tried to figure out if I could get to the float, but I couldn't, so there really aren't any other options. It probably just got itself stuck really good in there.

Did you get any luck with the mech finding the rad sensor?