Low Coolant light - bad sensor?

Deezul_AwT · 08-15-2008, 08:03 PM

I just want to hear a few opinions. This week the LOW COOLANT light on my Grand Prix came on Monday morning. The overflow container was at about the rubber line. I went ahead and put some more fluid in anyway, and the light eventually went out. Now, after the car has been cool for several hours, particularly in the morning the light is on. I don't see any obvious leaks underneath, and the level hasn't changed since i filled it. In April i replaced the UIM. Also, I didn't see any coolant in the oil when I looked at the dipstick. I'll know for sure in a few days when I change the oil.

Anyway, is it likely I have a bad coolant sensor? It's approximately $40 piece, so I won't sweat it if has to be replaced. But if I don't replace it, what kind of danger am I doing by not yet replacing it.

Sabrewings · 08-15-2008, 08:17 PM

What's the level in the radiator when the car is cool? The overflow bottle doesn't really tell you much.

Abrasive · 08-15-2008, 08:42 PM

Mine did that exact thing ever since I have owned it. Low coolant light on everytime from a cold start-up. After a while it would just go out, but after it sat overnight for example, it came back on. I finally put in a new sensor last week (the one in the radiator right in front of the battery) and it does not come on anymore, problem solved. It won't hurt anything as long as you make sure your coolant level is actually correct, just annoying as hell.

The sensor is kinda hard to get to, I ended up removing the diag brace on that side and the battery and it was easy to get to then. I also did not drain any coolant. I just had the new one ready to go in one hand as soon as I pulled the old one with the other hand. I lost a little, but not much, just gotta be quick with the hands.

Deezul_AwT · 08-15-2008, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabrewings

What's the level in the radiator when the car is cool? The overflow bottle doesn't really tell you much.

I opened the radiator cap, it was at the top. Looks like the radiator cap is a little dirty as well, so i might replace it, too.

Street Wolf · 08-15-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deezul_AwT

I opened the radiator cap, it was at the top. Looks like the radiator cap is a little dirty as well, so i might replace it, too.

Did you let the car run until hot when you checked it?

Zef_66 · 08-16-2008, 09:50 AM

My car did this last summer. I just let it go and it stopped doing it at some point. This summer started doing the same thing. So I just unplugged it.

Someday I will get a sensor from Ed and replace it.

Deezul_AwT · 08-16-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zef_66

My car did this last summer. I just let it go and it stopped doing it at some point. This summer started doing the same thing. So I just unplugged it.

Someday I will get a sensor from Ed and replace it.

So maybe I'll do the black electrical tape fix.

Zef_66 · 08-18-2008, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deezul_AwT

So maybe I'll do the black electrical tape fix.

You mean over the light?

If it bugs you that much, just unplug the sensor. It will turn the light off.

Deezul_AwT · 08-18-2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zef_66

You mean over the light?

If it bugs you that much, just unplug the sensor. It will turn the light off.

But I might get dirty working in the engine compartment.

08-15-2008, 08:03 PM	#1
Deezul_AwT GTX Level Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Northern VA Posts: 811 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader: (3)	Low Coolant light - bad sensor? I just want to hear a few opinions. This week the LOW COOLANT light on my Grand Prix came on Monday morning. The overflow container was at about the rubber line. I went ahead and put some more fluid in anyway, and the light eventually went out. Now, after the car has been cool for several hours, particularly in the morning the light is on. I don't see any obvious leaks underneath, and the level hasn't changed since i filled it. In April i replaced the UIM. Also, I didn't see any coolant in the oil when I looked at the dipstick. I'll know for sure in a few days when I change the oil. Anyway, is it likely I have a bad coolant sensor? It's approximately $40 piece, so I won't sweat it if has to be replaced. But if I don't replace it, what kind of danger am I doing by not yet replacing it. __________________ 2004 Impala SS - ZZP PCM, 3.4" Pulley, K&N CAI, TOG Headers, SLP Cat-Back, 180* thermo, Autolite 605s, PRJ Performance wires, Alternator rewire, GMPP Handling kit 2000 Grand Prix GT, Commuter Car - K&N CAI, GMPP Handling kit, ZZP downpipe w/U-bend delete, ZZP Plog, Alternator rewire

08-15-2008, 08:17 PM	#2
Sabrewings GXP Level Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Barksdale AFB, LA Posts: 2,713 Thanks: 8 Thanked 33 Times in 33 Posts iTrader: (0)	Re: Low Coolant light - bad sensor? What's the level in the radiator when the car is cool? The overflow bottle doesn't really tell you much. __________________ 2004 Impala LS - got some mods NAIOA Moderator Making you think twice before picking on Impalas

08-15-2008, 08:42 PM	#3
Abrasive Community Vendor Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Odessa, MO Posts: 648 Thanks: 8 Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts iTrader: (6)	Re: Low Coolant light - bad sensor? Mine did that exact thing ever since I have owned it. Low coolant light on everytime from a cold start-up. After a while it would just go out, but after it sat overnight for example, it came back on. I finally put in a new sensor last week (the one in the radiator right in front of the battery) and it does not come on anymore, problem solved. It won't hurt anything as long as you make sure your coolant level is actually correct, just annoying as hell. The sensor is kinda hard to get to, I ended up removing the diag brace on that side and the battery and it was easy to get to then. I also did not drain any coolant. I just had the new one ready to go in one hand as soon as I pulled the old one with the other hand. I lost a little, but not much, just gotta be quick with the hands. __________________ Master Certified Auto Glass Technician Kansas City Pontiac Motorsports Club Green Bastard Products My F-Quick Garage My GPF Garage

08-16-2008, 09:50 AM	#6
Zef_66 GTP Level Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Middleburg, PA Posts: 1,030 Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts iTrader: (0)	Re: Low Coolant light - bad sensor? My car did this last summer. I just let it go and it stopped doing it at some point. This summer started doing the same thing. So I just unplugged it. Someday I will get a sensor from Ed and replace it. __________________ 1997 GTP - 200k+ miles, PEMs, 3" SS Exhaust w/ Borla Mufflers, 3.4", 180* stat(summer), FWI, 1.84 RR, PT, SLP hood, KYB GR2s, GMPP Handling Kit, etc...

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