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'88 low coolant warning light

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Old Jun 12, 2014 | 08:11 PM
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Default '88 low coolant warning light

I get a low coolant warning light occasionally. I cleaned the contact
areas on the wire and switch, but it came back in a couple of weeks.
Would it be the switch/sensor? If so how do i change it?
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Old Jun 12, 2014 | 10:33 PM
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Originally Posted by pkrbkr13
I get a low coolant warning light occasionally. I cleaned the contact
areas on the wire and switch, but it came back in a couple of weeks.
Would it be the switch/sensor? If so how do i change it?
Here's an eBay availability that you can do a "mouse over" to inspect closer. You should be able to buy local also. Cheaper? Don't know. You know where it goes so you know what's involved in it's replacement I'd think.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1986-1989-Chevrolet-Corvette-Low-Engine-COOLANT-LEVEL-SWITCH-new-OEM-10054615-/231148392220?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35d1848f1c&vxp=mtr
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Old Jun 13, 2014 | 02:01 AM
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Originally Posted by pkrbkr13
how do i change it?
You said you cleaned it. How could you do that without taking it out? It sounds more like you cleaned the connector contact.

The latches snap over a ridge on the opening in the radiator tank. It takes some prying on the latches to get it out. I just did that tonight when I put it in a new radiator.
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Old Jun 13, 2014 | 04:16 AM
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Originally Posted by pkrbkr13
I get a low coolant warning light occasionally. I cleaned the contact
areas on the wire and switch, but it came back in a couple of weeks.
Would it be the switch/sensor? If so how do i change it?
My 88 does the same thing.

It has something to do with the coolant reserve... the balance between the the radiator and reserve... sometimes, it also can be fixed by tightening all the clamps on your hoses... so no air gets in...

Also if the light comes on, sometimes you can turn it off by braking... which means your coolant level is not really low, just below the sensor.
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Old Jun 13, 2014 | 04:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Cliff Harris
You said you cleaned it. How could you do that without taking it out? It sounds more like you cleaned the connector contact.
The OP mentions only cleaning the contact area and the connector surface. Doesn't just sound like it. It's all he ever mentioned!
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Old Jun 13, 2014 | 05:46 AM
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You likely have air in your system. The only way I got rid of the low coolant light was by jacking the front as high as I could, running the engine at 2200 rpm and when the thermostat opened topped it off. Replaced the radiator cap and returned to idle. Also make sure your overflow tank is topped off.
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Old Jun 13, 2014 | 06:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Dt86
You likely have air in your system. The only way I got rid of the low coolant light was by jacking the front as high as I could, running the engine at 2200 rpm and when the thermostat opened topped it off. Replaced the radiator cap and returned to idle. Also make sure your overflow tank is topped off.
The only time my light has come on, is when I had air in the cooling system...WW
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Old Jun 13, 2014 | 09:43 PM
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Same suggestion as DT86. You have to keep the rpms up as you top off with water. There was a reason for doing this. Is it to keep the thermostat open to allow for the coolant level to be at its low point?

kdf
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