Help. Warning Light?

[Suesews]

My daughter's has our 2001 Malibu with her at college and just called me with this problem. There is a light which looks like wavy lines (her description) on, it is on the far right of the dashboard display. Any idea what that light is? She says it is near the temperature gauge which is showing no change from normal. Safe to drive to get it checked out?

[mikept03]

Originally Posted by Suesews

My daughter's has our 2001 Malibu with her at college and just called me with this problem. There is a light which looks like wavy lines (her description) on, it is on the far right of the dashboard display. Any idea what that light is? She says it is near the temperature gauge which is showing no change from normal. Safe to drive to get it checked out?

This sounds like the low coolant light. If you're lucky, there may be a leak in the water pump or elsewhere, but probably the intake gaskets need replacing. You can have her check for leaks, and also check the coolant level and see if it has any oil mixed in it, and also check the oil to see if it is milky or foamy, meaning it has coolant mixed in with it. I wouldn't drive it if I could avoid it, if the oil is in bad shape it could damage the engine.

I have a 98 Malibu at college with me also, and when my intake gaskets blew in April, I had AAA tow me to the dealership just to be safe, and getting it fixed cost around $650.