1998 Idiot lights

[CALHOUN_53]

I bought this car for my daughter who attends college. She says that the dash light that looks like a fan and water is on. This happened once before and she took it to a mechanic that could not find anything. The car is not overheating but she said that the last time this happened the car died. What does this light mean and what could be causing this condition?

[JoeShmoe]

Originally Posted by CALHOUN_53

I bought this car for my daughter who attends college. She says that the dash light that looks like a fan and water is on. This happened once before and she took it to a mechanic that could not find anything. The car is not overheating but she said that the last time this happened the car died. What does this light mean and what could be causing this condition?

That is the diagnostic light sensing there is low coolant at the coolant reservoire bottle. From what I've read it seems that a cup of water above the max fluid line fixes this problem. As far as the car dieing, it could be a number of things. Did the car start back up? How long was it dead?

[CALHOUN_53]

Originally Posted by JoeShmoe

That is the diagnostic light sensing there is low coolant at the coolant reservoire bottle. From what I've read it seems that a cup of water above the max fluid line fixes this problem. As far as the car dieing, it could be a number of things. Did the car start back up? How long was it dead?

It died a couple of times and has not done it again. My daughter was concerned because she was to take the car on a 300 mile trip. The car has quite a few problems that I need to address come spring break. The check engine light is on and we took it to auto zone. It came up with 8 codes.
P1131,P0420,P0133,P0304,P0305,P0306,P1152,P0175. I think I will start with a tune up because of the misfire codes, and then have it rechecked. I am old school where there was lot of room to work on your engines pre-computer age. By the way one code referrs to the oxgen sensor. Where is that located. The more specific the better. This is on a 6 cyclinder. Thanks
by the way my daughter says it gets bad mpg.

[Davescort97]

The oxygen sensor is in the exhaust between the exhaust manifold and the catalytic converter. It's just a little plug with a couple of wires on it.

[JoeShmoe]

I agree with the tune up. Like the above poster said, the O2 sensor is in the exhaust manifold, so there's only two places to look. When you do a tune up, don't forget all the small items that halp with gas mileage i.e. fuel filter, additive, aire filter, etc.


Let us know about the remaining codes.

[jsweeter]

The O2 sensors probably dont need replaced. They kick out codes when the engine is not running correctly. If the check engine light is on then the problem lies in the engine not the O2 sensors.

Tune up of plugs and wires are easy on these V6's need a long extension, 10 to 12 inches, to get all the way down into the engine though. Just take off the plastic cover on the front of the engine and there are the wires going down into the engine. There isnt a cover on the back wires.

The PCV valves are just about impossible to get to, if you really need to replace it its about a 2hr job. Located in the back of the engine about 1/2 way down, you have to take out a bunch of stuff to get to it. Not worth changing it.

Does the car have an eratic idle when parked or at a stop?