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Low coolant light on, no leaks and is full
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 3:04 am
by nikosuave8896
Hello everyone.
Tonight I was driving to the movies and the low coolant light came on. The temp was normal it wasn't overheating or anything out of the ordinary. I watched the movie and came back to my car and checked the fluid before firing her up and the fluid was full. There was no leaks under the car and I turned the car back on the light was still on. I drove the car home and there was no overheating or smoke or anything.
My question is, could this be some kind of a faulty sensor somewhere? Recently from my other threads posted before, I had the water pump, radiator, upper rad hose, and timing cover gasket all replaced.
Re: Low coolant light on, no leaks and is full
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 3:15 am
by Carson21R
my beretta did this. not exactly sure what causes it or anything. one day it just happened to go away. everybody used to tell me there was a coolant level sensor on the radiator or in the overflow tank neither have i found.
Re: Low coolant light on, no leaks and is full
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 8:50 am
by DTMAce
Sensor is located in the bottom front side of the overflow/pressure tank. Could be a bad sensor, could be it was low for a moment. Just bang on the top of the tank with your fist while the car is off, then start it up. (while cold). Should sort it out, if not, replace that sensor. This always fixed it for my 94.
Re: Low coolant light on, no leaks and is full
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 11:57 am
by nikosuave8896
What is the name of this sensor called? I am gonna go pick one up today and replace it. It isn't the Engine Coolant Temp Sensor is it? I just need a name and a picture of this part so I can go replace it.
Re: Low coolant light on, no leaks and is full
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 1:03 pm
by Money pit Beretta
Overflow tank level sensor. That should get you the right part.
You can tap on it with the handle of a screwdriver(just look for the wires coming out of the tank). I was told to do that and it worked for me. Sometimes they just get stuck.
Re: Low coolant light on, no leaks and is full
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 2:37 pm
by nikosuave8896
I found the part but how do i run it as the wires are coming out of an ac line
Re: Low coolant light on, no leaks and is full
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 3:02 pm
by Money pit Beretta
It unplugs at the sensor.
Re: Low coolant light on, no leaks and is full
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 3:25 pm
by nikosuave8896
Sorry I kind of worded that pretty badly. What I meant was, when you unhook it, it runs to this A/C line looking hose. Would I just cut the sensor from those wires and electrical tape them together for the replacement?
I also managed to find the sensor. This is the part I am buying right? My local auto parts store has this I am gonna pick it up tonight.
Re: Low coolant light on, no leaks and is full
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 4:28 pm
by DTMAce
That picture is not a sensor, that is a plug connector.
You just unplug the sensor, you do not need to cut the wires at all!
You may have to pull the tank loose, to get to the connector to unplug it.
Re: Low coolant light on, no leaks and is full
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 4:57 pm
by nikosuave8896
Yeah i can easily unplug that connector. I jus dont know what this sensor looks like.
Re: Low coolant light on, no leaks and is full
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 5:17 pm
by heavywoody
The sensor is inside the overflow tank. You'll have to pull it out with some needle nose pliers.
Re: Low coolant light on, no leaks and is full
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 6:20 pm
by pghturbo88
Never had to change this part (knock on wood) but here is what Rock Auto shows for an 89 GT (I do not know the year or engine of the OP.) I am almost positive for an 89 that it is in the radiator, but given some of the replies, I take it that in later years it was in the overflow reservoir.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=936562
Re: Low coolant light on, no leaks and is full
Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 10:22 pm
by irelynx
heavywoody wrote:The sensor is inside the overflow tank. You'll have to pull it out with some needle nose pliers.
To add to this, when you unplug it, the end of the sensor is right where the plug was. It matches the color of the tank (on mine at least), so it can be hard to notice easily if you haven't seen it before. You just grab the lip of it that's sticking out & pull down until the whole thing slides out.
Here's a pic I found on google of what mine looked like. The lighter colored end is the part that is visibly sticking out of the overflow tank. You just pull it out, slide the new one in, and clip the connector back on.
Re: Low coolant light on, no leaks and is full
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 1:36 am
by nikosuave8896
^^ yeah that is the part. I am picking it up tomorrow morning when its shipped in. I assume I need to drain the overflow tank and remove the tank from the car so I can access this? Or can I just leave the coolant in there and find a way to get under there and remove the sensor?
(3100 sfi, 94 base )
Re: Low coolant light on, no leaks and is full
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 1:49 am
by DTMAce
Drain it. Pulling the tank is easy and will make your life simpler.