Coolant Level Sensor 89
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 173
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From: Worcester MA
Coolant Level Sensor 89
My car keeps telling me my coolant level is low but it’s not. Fill both rad and res up and still does it 50% of the time. Not sure where this sensor is but thought it was in the res. Doesn’t look it, anyone out there have this already and know what to do?
THX
Brett
THX
Brett
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
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From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Coolant Level Sensor 89 (C4RAG)
You have to "pack" the system and make sure there are no leaks, especially radiator cap and line to the coolant res. The sensor is in the radiator, just below the filler cap on the passenger side.
To pack the system, get a mix of 50/50 coolant/water ready. Start car (cold) with radiator cap removed and heater running full. When the thermostat opens you will see the coolant level drop. At this time to need to have a friend race the engine to about 1500 - 1800 rpm, this will drop the coolant level more and you can add. Before the throttle is let up fill to the brim and install the radiator cap. The rest of the air will work out in a couple hundred miles if the cap is good and there are no leaks.
Good Luck,
Pete
To pack the system, get a mix of 50/50 coolant/water ready. Start car (cold) with radiator cap removed and heater running full. When the thermostat opens you will see the coolant level drop. At this time to need to have a friend race the engine to about 1500 - 1800 rpm, this will drop the coolant level more and you can add. Before the throttle is let up fill to the brim and install the radiator cap. The rest of the air will work out in a couple hundred miles if the cap is good and there are no leaks.
Good Luck,
Pete
Instructor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 209
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Re: Coolant Level Sensor 89 (C4RAG)
C4RAG, I agree with PeteL. Just a heads up though. The cooling system is supposed to draw off the reservoir tank to keep the system at the proper level. After doing the packing PeteL refers to (and filling the reservoir to the hot level). You should see a slight drop at the reservoir. If not, then the cooling system is not sealed, which is probably the reason for the coolant drop in the first place. If that's the case you'll have fun finding the leak... places to look? make sure radiator cap is clean and sealing to the tank, make sure the tank neck is free of any crude that builds up where the gaskets touch, after getting the engine really hot pop the hood and look for damp or wet spots like radiator core, passenger side rear intake manifold area, engine front near or below water pump and lastly the dreaded wet floor in the passenger area (heater core). Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,161
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From: Orangeburg, NY
Re: Coolant Level Sensor 89 (C4RAG)
Brett,
the car has to be "burped." Fill the coolant resevior to the Cold Level. Loosen the radiator cap and start the car. Let it warm up to operating temperature (What ever temperature thermostat you have). Once at operating temperature race the engine to 2000-2500 and remove the cap. Fill the radiator and place the cap back on all the way. Then let the engine idle.
This may have to be done more than once to fill the system.
the car has to be "burped." Fill the coolant resevior to the Cold Level. Loosen the radiator cap and start the car. Let it warm up to operating temperature (What ever temperature thermostat you have). Once at operating temperature race the engine to 2000-2500 and remove the cap. Fill the radiator and place the cap back on all the way. Then let the engine idle.
This may have to be done more than once to fill the system.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 173
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From: Worcester MA
Re: Coolant Level Sensor 89 (C4RAG)
Wow!! I never expected that... I never heard of such a thing... The system is supposed to be this sensative then?? I thought it was just a sensor problem...
