My 97' has been saying low coolant while the tank is full. The dealer wanted $235 to replace the sensor, and i just laughed.
I found the part online for $33, but where is the sucker located?

Thanks guys!

 

It's on the driver's side of the tank at the bottom.

 

 

Does the tank need to be removed or something? I'm trying to figure out how the heck the dealer is trying to charge over $200?!?
I think I'm going to bring them my quote from another dealer and ask why they think they can rip me off!

 

According to the service manual, this can be caused by a open or high resistance in the ground circuit of the low coolant level input of the instrument cluster. Have you recently done any work around your cluster?

 

I haven't done any sort of electrical work on the car. I did add about a gallon of distilled water to the tank, and noticed some was leaking out around the radiator shroud. I was thinking maybe i overfilled it a bit... Is there some sort of overflow in that area? I sure hope so!

 

I don't think just the sensor can be replaced, it is not sold seperately.

There is a TSB out on early year C5's, when parked nose down on a slanted surface, they can show a false low coolant. My 1998 has done this, I just check the tank and reset if it is okay. You might be able to reposition the tank.

Here is the TSB:

Document ID# 640586
1997 Chevrolet/Geo Corvette


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Engine Low Coolant Light Comes On (Inspect Rad. Surge Tank, Replace/Reposition) #99-06-02-016 - (Sep 28, 1999)
Engine Low Coolant Light Comes On At Start-Up (Inspect for 2nd Design Radiator Surge Tank and Replace/Reposition)
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 boil 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.


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.



For all vehicles, check the level of the tank by viewing the lower mount on the tank. Less than 2 mm (.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 10N·m (89 lb in).

Verify coolant level in surge tank:
If engine coolant is hot, above 83° C (180° F), fill the coolant surge tank 12 mm (½ 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
Descrition

10405218
Tank Assembly, Radiator Surge


Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use :

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

J3250
Tank, Radiator Coolant Surge - Reposition
0.2 hr

J3250
Tank, Radiator Coolant Surge - R&R
Use published labor operationtime

Add
Reposition Wiring Harness
0.1 hr