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Low coolant light

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Old Apr 3, 2007 | 03:15 PM
  #1  
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Default Low coolant light

Does anyone know why I could be getting this message? I have checked my coolant levels they are fine my car does not go above 230
degrees when I'm really on it and normally 210 degrees around town. Any ideas? I have had this message for almost a week now. I thought it was a water pump issue last week but I didnt notice any antifreeze puddles when I parked for long periods of time.
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Old Apr 3, 2007 | 03:39 PM
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Any trouble codes on the DIC?
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Old Apr 3, 2007 | 04:28 PM
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Good question. I have gotten the same message a couple times lately. All checks out ok. NO trouble codes on DIC.
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Old Apr 3, 2007 | 04:40 PM
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Just add a little coolant, mine gave me that message also and I added coolant with distilled water ofcourse and the message never came back on.
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Old Apr 3, 2007 | 08:05 PM
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Nope no DIC code
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Old Apr 3, 2007 | 09:55 PM
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Originally Posted by MannyFresh
Just add a little coolant, mine gave me that message also and I added coolant with distilled water ofcourse and the message never came back on.
You didn't mention if you looked at the coolant tank level. Add up to the full line and look up under at the ac condenser and radiator for junk. You should be running around 194 to 196 on the highway.
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Old Apr 3, 2007 | 10:00 PM
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I was getting the low coolant light and the dealer replaced the sensor under warranty. The bad thing though, is that to change out the sensor, you have to replace the complete coolant tank. I think the tank, with sensor, was a little over $200 + labor. You can't change one without changing both.
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Old Apr 4, 2007 | 02:31 AM
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The tank is on the inexpensive side. I think around $50. I had a similar issue and added a bottle of Waterwetter. It has not come back on since. I'm not sure if it raised the level just enough or if the Waterwetter helped a weak sensor work better. For only $9 it might be worth a try!
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Old Apr 4, 2007 | 05:12 AM
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You didn't put any information in your profile so I don't know what year your car is, but here's some info that might apply. It says it affects Corvettes up through 99:

Instruments - Low Coolant Light Comes ON at Start-up

File In Section: 06 - Engine/Propulsion System

Bulletin No.: 99-06-02-016

Date: October, 1999

TECHNICAL

Subject:
Engine Low Coolant Light Comes On At Start-Up
(Inspect for 2nd Design Radiator Surge Tank and Replace/Reposition)

Models:
1997-1999 Chevrolet Corvette
1997 Models Built Prior to VIN Breakpoint V5104277

This bulletin is being revised to add the 1999 model year and change the part number identification procedure. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 83-62-11 (Section 6 - Engine)

Condition
Some customers may comment that the "low coolant" light comes on at start-up.

Cause
This condition may be caused due to the low coolant sensor being mounted in the rear of the radiator surge tank. When the vehicle is parked with the front lower than the rear, the coolant settles in the front half of the surge tank and with the switch in the rear of the tank, the switch float may be low enough to trigger the light. The "low coolant" light may come on if:

- The vehicle is a 1997 model, built before VIN V5104277, with the old design radiator surge tank.

- The radiator surge tank is improperly installed in the vehicle.

- The coolant level in the vehicle coolant system is low.

- The float in the tank is sticking.

- The coolant level switch connector is improperly connected.

Correction

Caution :With a pressurized cooling system, the coolant temperature in the surge tank can be considerably higher than the boiling point Of the solution at atmospheric pressure. Removal of the surge tank cap, while the cooling system is hot and under high pressure, causes the solution to boll instantaneously with explosive force. This will cause the solution to spew out over the engine, fenders, and the person removing the cap. Serious bodily injury may result.

1. For 1997 vehicles built prior to VIN breakpoint V5104277, replace the radiator surge tank and inspect for an out of position wiring harness under the tank. To repair the harness, position the harness downward and secure with a tie strap. To determine if the surge tank is of the first or second design, inspect the low coolant switch cavity in the surge tank. If the surge tank cavity extends 16 mm (5/8 in) below the bottom of the surge tank, the tank is of a second design tank. If the cavity is less than 15 mm (19/32 in) replace the tank with P/N 10405218

2. For all vehicles, check the level of the tank by viewing the lower mount on the tank. Less than 2 mm (0.08 in) (# 1) of the mounting slot should be visible above the attaching nut. If the gap is greater than 2 mm (0.08 in), loosen the surge tank and hold in a downward position to achieve less than a 2 mm (0.08 in) gap above the attaching nut. Tighten the bottom nut first, then both top nuts.

Tighten

Tighten the nuts to 10 N-m (89 lb in).

3. Verify coolant level in surge tank:

- If engine coolant is hot, above 83°C (180°F), fill the coolant surge tank 12 mm (1/2 in) above the cold indicator mark.

- If the engine coolant is at ambient room temperature, fill to the top of the cold indicator mark.

Parts Information

All parts in the GM Parts System since January 1997, and all parts used to manufacture vehicles since January 1997, are of the second design. If a vehicle is one of the 1997 vehicles prior to the serial number breakpoint, you may have to replace the radiator surge tank as described in Step 1, above.

P/N Description

10405218 Tank Assembly, Radiator Surge

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.
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Old Apr 4, 2007 | 07:55 AM
  #10  
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Could be a faulty coolant sensor.
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Old Jul 4, 2007 | 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by sogysailor
The tank is on the inexpensive side. I think around $50. I had a similar issue and added a bottle of Waterwetter. It has not come back on since. I'm not sure if it raised the level just enough or if the Waterwetter helped a weak sensor work better. For only $9 it might be worth a try!
Redline WaterWetter solved the problem for me....so far (8 weeks).

Last edited by cenzo; Aug 10, 2007 at 01:41 PM. Reason: secret
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