look at it, clean 
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Puzzling 'Low Coolent' Light
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite Nevada
Puzzling 'Low Coolent' Light
About 2 weeks ago, early on a cold morning, my Low Coolent light came on for about 3-4 minutes. This was prior to the car warming up enough to turn on (came on at about 160 and went out around 170). Didn't come on again that day, but checked my levels that night after it cooled down -- every thing looke fine.
3-4 days later, did the same thing, only this time it came on around 165 and went off just about the time the fans kicked on. Again, nothing the rest of the day. This time, after it cooled down and I check the the levels (which were fine both in the reserve tank and radiator), I decided to 'burp' the system just to make sure I didn't have an air bubble some where. With the radiator cap off, I let it warm up until the thermostat opened, reved it to about 2.5K and topped it off (took very little coolent). Everything was fine until today -- when it did the same thing!
I know this is a little long, but I just can't figure this out, any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I plan on checking everything out again tomorrow when it is nice and cold, but I expect to find what a found a few days ago.
Could it be a faulty sensor?
Could the cold weather be effecting it some how?
{edited to correct some typo's}
3-4 days later, did the same thing, only this time it came on around 165 and went off just about the time the fans kicked on. Again, nothing the rest of the day. This time, after it cooled down and I check the the levels (which were fine both in the reserve tank and radiator), I decided to 'burp' the system just to make sure I didn't have an air bubble some where. With the radiator cap off, I let it warm up until the thermostat opened, reved it to about 2.5K and topped it off (took very little coolent). Everything was fine until today -- when it did the same thing!
I know this is a little long, but I just can't figure this out, any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I plan on checking everything out again tomorrow when it is nice and cold, but I expect to find what a found a few days ago.
Could it be a faulty sensor?
Could the cold weather be effecting it some how?
{edited to correct some typo's}
Last edited by 87Clwy; Oct 8, 2004 at 11:15 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Look into the filler when you rev the engine when it is at the opening temp of your thermostat. If the coolant goes out of sight, you could still have enough air to cause too low coolant when it starts flowing. It does sometimes take several burpings. It also helps if you have the car with the front higher than the back when burping. Be sure that you fill the overflow bottle about half way because this can fill the radiator during its cool down. Continued burping indicates you have a coolant leak and you should start looking for it.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite Nevada
Thanks for all the info. Did another physical check with her ice cold (first thing this morning), radiator and overflow levels were good. Also got the drop and a flash lights out to see if I could see any signs of a leak) -- notta. Haven't seen any signs on my drive way, nor could I find any signs down around the water pump weeper valve (although on the TT visibility down there isn't the greatest).
l Burped her again anyway, only took about .5 - 1 cup more then purculated out while warming up. Now I just have to wait to see if it happens again. If so, I guess my next step is replace the sensor.
Thanks again and if anyone has any other ideas, I'd be happy to hear them.
l Burped her again anyway, only took about .5 - 1 cup more then purculated out while warming up. Now I just have to wait to see if it happens again. If so, I guess my next step is replace the sensor.
Thanks again and if anyone has any other ideas, I'd be happy to hear them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
From: Bremerton Wa
St. Jude Donor '04 &'05
I always drill a very small hole in thermostat. The smallest bit I have. I learned it from the days of my turbo dodge, really dosen't affect cooling but it helps get the air out of the system.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite Nevada
Thanks, she does (pack a pretty mean punch), she'll throw you back in the seat if you step on at 70 mph. I just had her out on the highway and temps were good, no light. Hopefully that's all it was, unfortunately this is one of those problems that you just have to kind of keep your fingers crossed and hope the light stays out.