Low Coolant Light

[catprotector]

I had a low coolant light pop up this morning. My engine indicators is not showing that it is overheating and I put plenty of coolant into the car. I looked underneath the vehicle and didn't see any coolant dripping or gushing out. I also looked under the hood while the engine was running and didn't not see any leaks. Could there be a short in the electrical system somewhere?

Last night I drove it and did not see the coolant light come on at all and this morning after seeing the indicator light come on I added coolant. The light has not turned off yet. Besides a possible short in the electrical system when it comes to the "Low Coolant Light" could it be our cooler weather actually evaporates some of the coolant thus requiring me to put more in? I have a '95 Beretta if that matters.

[jsgold]

Are you looking in the radiator or the overflow? Maybe on yours you do not have a radiator cap, not sure about your model. However, the sensor for your light is usually in the radiator itself towards the top. A cheap sensor, it has a single wire and should be easy to locate as it connects directly to radiator. they can corrode and this can be your problem. As I remember it snaps into the hole and is held in place by plastic tabs. Otherwise, your fluid level in the radiator is lower than it should be, if it falls below the sensor it will activate the light. Your overflow could still be full but radiator may be losing coolant and it takes a while for fluid to get there from overflow. Maybe air in the system. If you do have a radiator cap and can verify the actual radiator levels then buy the sensor and replace it. It is less than 10 bucks and not much to install if yours is like our 91 or our 94 beretta we used to have.

[catprotector]

Originally Posted by jsgold

Are you looking in the radiator or the overflow? Maybe on yours you do not have a radiator cap, not sure about your model. However, the sensor for your light is usually in the radiator itself towards the top. A cheap sensor, it has a single wire and should be easy to locate as it connects directly to radiator. they can corrode and this can be your problem. As I remember it snaps into the hole and is held in place by plastic tabs. Otherwise, your fluid level in the radiator is lower than it should be, if it falls below the sensor it will activate the light. Your overflow could still be full but radiator may be losing coolant and it takes a while for fluid to get there from overflow. Maybe air in the system. If you do have a radiator cap and can verify the actual radiator levels then buy the sensor and replace it. It is less than 10 bucks and not much to install if yours is like our 91 or our 94 beretta we used to have.

If the radiator was leaking wouldn't I have seen coolant on the ground or gushing out somewhere? I'd also be overheating as well wouldn't I? My indicator shows everything is normal. However the light on the dash says "Low Coolant." How hard is it to replace the sensor? It seems like the car is still drivable. I'd imagine I can wait until after the holidays to replace it but I'll check the sensor. Where exactly is located? I have a '95 Beretta V6. Thanks for the help.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by catprotector

If the radiator was leaking wouldn't I have seen coolant on the ground or gushing out somewhere? I'd also be overheating as well wouldn't I? My indicator shows everything is normal. However the light on the dash says "Low Coolant." How hard is it to replace the sensor? It seems like the car is still drivable. I'd imagine I can wait until after the holidays to replace it but I'll check the sensor. Where exactly is located? I have a '95 Beretta V6. Thanks for the help.

Do not wait to check it.
If the light is on is telling you to check it now before you could burn up the engine if it is actually low.
First thing make sure it has coolant in it.
If it has a rad cap when engine is cold look in there. If no cap make sure the coolant tank is at full mark.

[jsgold]

Sorry to say I forget which side it was one, but on my 91 it was in front of the radiator, towards the top. Been a while since I done it and have not been able to get at the car to look at it. Might have to remove headlamp assy to get at it. It is simply a single wire, hooking to radiator. Should be able to find it OK, just be careful when removing it. Mine was corroded badly but was still working somehow, when we replaced the radiator. Sorry not more help, our 91 should be similar but not for sure.