low coolant light

[trisha7025]

I own a 96 chevy lumina ls. A week ago last wednesday I replaced the water pump cause the low coolant light came on. I saw the water spraying out by the belts. Took it to the shop,and its been fine.
This morning I go out to the car and that light comes on. I checked all fluids,and everything is fine,eve with the car on,the radiator is full.
What is wrong with my car??
(all hoses are good,and nothing is leaking)

[Andreas_Utah]

Follow this thread from a few months ago. Hope it helps.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t664027.html

[trisha7025]

Originally Posted by Andreas_Utah

Follow this thread from a few months ago. Hope it helps.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t664027.html

I checked out that link you sent me,,,I"m not losing water anywhere.
Maybe its a plugged sensor thing at the radiator. Who knows. I know I hate being a Female at times...lol

[richtazz]

There is a sensor in the passenger side radiator tank for the coolant level. These sensors get clogged up with sludge and malfunction. It is located about 1/3 the way down, just under the top trans line. It will look like a little black box about 1-1/4" square with a harness that comes in from the bottom. many times, all you need to do is remove the sensor, clean out the sludge, and reinstall.

For reference, the sensor is GM part# 10096163

[trisha7025]

Originally Posted by richtazz

There is a sensor in the passenger side radiator tank for the coolant level. These sensors get clogged up with sludge and malfunction. It is located about 1/3 the way down, just under the top trans line. It will look like a little black box about 1-1/4" square with a harness that comes in from the bottom. many times, all you need to do is remove the sensor, clean out the sludge, and reinstall.

For reference, the sensor is GM part# 10096163

I"ve been home for 3hours now,I want to wait at least another hour til I touch the car(i live in Las Vegas,its 104 today). But I dont know what you mean by "just under the top trans line"?? Are you saying it is on the radiator? Gosh,where is the picture...lol
Well,I will have to check it all out in a hour,hopefully I can find it.
If I cant find it,I'll take it to the shop where I had the waterpump replaced,and ask them why the light is on.
Thanks, Trisha7025

[march00]

Trish: After I had my intake gasket replaced last year that same light was blinking.. Everything was ok, so I just giggled the wire that atches to it on the right side of radiator, about 1/2 way down.
Nick

[trisha7025]

Originally Posted by march00

Trish: After I had my intake gasket replaced last year that same light was blinking.. Everything was ok, so I just giggled the wire that atches to it on the right side of radiator, about 1/2 way down.
Nick

Hey Nick, I wiggled it yesterday,it turned off. But it came on again. This morning it was blinking,didnt know what it wants to do. Its not easy to get at,,,but I"M not gonna worry about it,unless my gage gets to hot. Wich its been below the half(boat thing) in this Las Vegas Heat even. Tomorrow and the weekend is suppose to be cooler. Maybe by Saturday,I can go fiddle with it. Thanks

[DnaProRacing]

the coolant level sensor is on the passenger side of the radiator 4 inches down from the top. popping it off to clean it is a good idea, but you will lose a little coolant in the process. after you put it back on, dont forget to properly bleed the radiator. if you need a new one, they run $38...

[trisha7025]

Originally Posted by DnaProRacing

the coolant level sensor is on the passenger side of the radiator 4 inches down from the top. popping it off to clean it is a good idea, but you will lose a little coolant in the process. after you put it back on, dont forget to properly bleed the radiator. if you need a new one, they run $38...

Whats 38dallors? the sensor? I know where it is,I saw it,that little black box thingey. I also know there are two bleeders,one on the thermostate,but I cant seem to find the other one, where is it,,on the radiator? (or you just wanna come over,and show me)

[DnaProRacing]

this site will help you better understand what yer doing:
http://www.radiators.com/radiator_how_to_maintain.html

[trisha7025]

Originally Posted by DnaProRacing

this site will help you better understand what yer doing:
http://www.radiators.com/radiator_how_to_maintain.html

that link helped,but it didnt show me the other bleeder. I dont have a owners manual or a haynes,I may have to go to the library. Thanks for the help.
Talk to you later.Maybe,or maybe not....lol

[trisha7025]

heres a update on my cooling light. I went to the library friday, that didnt have any books to really help me. Saturday,I popped the hood took the radiator cap off,and turned the car on. I bled the thermostate again for like 10minutes. I stuck my finger in the water,it was hot,lol so I put the cap back on. A few drives over the weekend,and for some wierd strange reason the coolant light hasnt been back on. The airbag light is wanting to stay on longer after I start the car,but owell. I think I probably have some kind of fuse problems going on. and I'm not into electrical work at all.
Anyways, this site is really cool.and I"m glad I found it. Keep in touch everybody. Trisha in Las Vegas

[cadgear]

I believe (and I don't have my shop manual handy right now) most sensors such as this require three to ten drive cycles to clear. A drive cycle is typically considered:

coolant temp < 125°F upon key-on
coolant temp > 175°F for x minutes
speed > y MPH

Or something similar. Basically, when the car thinks you have driven it enough in an all-clear state, it kills the light. I'm fairly sure the Coolant Level sensor is tied into the PCM, rather than just a straight path to the light on the dash.

Might shed some light.

[trisha7025]

Originally Posted by cadgear

I believe (and I don't have my shop manual handy right now) most sensors such as this require three to ten drive cycles to clear. A drive cycle is typically considered:

coolant temp < 125°F upon key-on
coolant temp > 175°F for x minutes
speed > y MPH

Or something similar. Basically, when the car thinks you have driven it enough in an all-clear state, it kills the light. I'm fairly sure the Coolant Level sensor is tied into the PCM, rather than just a straight path to the light on the dash.

Might shed some light.

Thanks Caggear,,,but what is a PCM?? Well,those lights can become annoying except when something is really wrong. It sure did work when the waterpump went out,and Iam so thankful for that. So I guess driving after the waterpump got fixed,the light fixed itself. I hope. Thanks again for the response, Trisha

[march00]

Glad you light went off Tina, mine has not went on for about 8 months now...
My car has been idling perfect since I sprayed that can of Gumout Carb Cleaner in the PVC hose, I also put a couple tanks of Preimum gas and 2 cans of fuel injector cleaner, its been about 2 weeks now....
I can't belive I did it, and the dealer wanted to take the Throttle Body off and clean it by hand!...Gotta love that carb cleaner!