Low coolant level light
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 641
Likes: 126
From: Chandler Az
Low coolant level light
I bought a Low mile (17k) 87 auto 6 months ago. I have been fixing just minor cosmetic stuff. The dash coolant/antilock lights never came on during start up (Bulb test) I noticed the wire from the radiator had been unplugged. (quick way to get rid of light I guess) Now that it is hooked up it comes on like it should at startup then goes out then comes back on and off. I changed the sensor, fluid is full. What would cause it to act randomly???? Any ideas would greatly be appriciated.
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 541
Likes: 2
From: Kalama WA
There are many posts about this. One cause is a bad sensor in the radiator. Another is a broken or loose wire to the sensor. The most common cause is the radiator is not burped(not all air is out)- when it gets hot and engine rpm goes up- coolant level drops just below sensor. Rpm goes down- coolant level comes back up over sensor. Thus the light on-light off.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,304
Likes: 240
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Pack the cooling system. Remove rad cap, start engine and let get to operating temp (stat open), reach over and hold throttle at about 2000 rpm, fill rad and cap it, release thottle, drink beer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Think about replacing the cap and checking that the system holds pressure to about 15psi give or take 2psi, look around the joins between intake manifold to heads and make sure its not leaking out there while under that pressure. My 87 was sucking air back in around the main seal on the cap instead of sucking it back out of the overflow tank. When i replaced the cap it stopped doing what yours is doing straight away, so you might be lucky.
Then when you fill it, do as Agent 86 says, and drink beer....
(do the pack filling as he decribed first though!!)
Then when you fill it, do as Agent 86 says, and drink beer....
(do the pack filling as he decribed first though!!)
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
I spoke with Gordon K about this issue... the design is just poor, the sensor is actually above the engine level, which causes the false readings.
packing may help, but I was never able to get the damned thing to function as it should.
packing may help, but I was never able to get the damned thing to function as it should.
