"Low Coolant"

[Andy943100]

So I got a dummy light flashing on and off. It is telling me I have low coolant. This only starts after I have been running the car for a couple hours. When this happens , there is coolant in the resivoir and pressure in the radiator. I have checked it full and the radiator is certiantly full. I unpluged the fluid level sensor and started the car and get no light, however I have not ran it long like this. It is not really running hot, however I have noticed it get over 210 degrees more than it usually does.

Other odd thing I have noticed is when I am moving and using a turning signal the tach and speedo guage bounce with the blink. Thought I would mention it incase these two are related.

Could it be just a cheep sensor? Are these notorius for going out? Might I have other electrical problems?

Thanks
Andy

[tblake]

look back on the forum, I have had this same problem. My thread is titled something like "problem with coolant level sensor" the guys really helped out immensly with my problem and helped me solve it.

[richtazz]

As tblake stated, you could do a search. The low coolant sensor is in the passenger side radiator tank, about 1/3 the way down. It appears to be a small square box from the outside, and they can get mucked up with sludge and trip the low coolant light. Depending on the year of your car, you may have to remove the battery for clearance to get it out and clean it. Good luck!

Here's a link to tblakes original thread discussing the issue.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=745589

[Andy943100]

Thanks, I did find the sensor without a problem... no removing battery.

How come unpluging the electirc and starting the car doesnt trip the "low coolant" light?

Also, I currently have very little mechanical abilities due to this appartment building and gravel lot. There shouldn't be any problem runing the car like this right???? Until at least I get a better chance to dig in and spill some radiator fluid. No real dammage should go to the coolant system or the motor itself, as long as it isnt actually overheating?

Is running at or slightly above the 210degree mark okay for these cars. It seems kind of hot to me since water boils at 212degrees. What is considered overheating anymore?

Thanks again
Andy

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Andy943100

How come unpluging the electirc and starting the car doesnt trip the "low coolant" light?

Because of the electrical design which could be classifed as poor. When there is low coolant the sensor makes and sends a ground only to the IP Cluster low coolant lamp. With the connector disconnected it simulates coolant level being proper.

[snowskateskim21]

Could also be that it needs a radiator flush...

[richtazz]

Originally Posted by Andy943100

Also, I currently have very little mechanical abilities due to this appartment building and gravel lot. There shouldn't be any problem runing the car like this right???? Until at least I get a better chance to dig in and spill some radiator fluid. No real dammage should go to the coolant system or the motor itself, as long as it isnt actually overheating?

Thanks again
Andy

There will be no problem rinning it with the sensor unplugged. It is just a tell-tale indicator, and has nothing to do with proper fan operation or ECM function.

[Andy943100]

Thanks fellows for easing my mind. Almost lost the car completely today... Stupid lousy drivers... Brakes work good