Or maybe it is Low Coolant. Either way, only happens every now and then and only on start up when engine is cold (Well cool, I live in Florida :D ). Coolant level appears fine, is this a sensor problem or sign that it is time to get my coolant refreshed.

What kind of coolant is recommended and where can I get it?


[Modified by John's vette, 6:26 PM 3/2/2002]

 

John,
I guess that is relatively normal--it's been an occasional happening on Jacki's '99 since it was almost new, even though coolant level appears to be normal. I still add some water though, when it does show up to be on the safe side.
Anyone else experiencing this?

George

 

The only time it ever happened to me was when I had parked on an incline in my parking lot. Even then it doesn't do it every time. Coolant level was fine. I guess it just depends on how much of an incline your on combined with the actual coolant level itself. I just reset the message on my "Johnson Readout". :)

 

Mine does this on occation when the car is on a down hill incline. The coolant level look's fine! :crazy:

 

Hi all,
Hey John's Vette,
I believe there is a sensor in the coolant overflow which, if not covered in coolant(as on an incline), it will trip this message on the DIC. I had this happen on mine and just filled up the overflow with coolant mix to cover it. No more messages! You can get the coolant at Wal-mart. The brand I got is Havoline brand and it is "Dex-cool", which is an orange liquid, as opposed to the regular green liquid coolant. HTH
Steve

 

There is a bulletin out there for 97 and 98 maybe even 99 that talks about a revised surge tank with the coolant level sensor being a little lower in the tank it could apply to your car I will have to look it up and get back to you on it.

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

Engine Low Coolant Light Comes On (Inspect Rad. Surge Tank, Replace/Reposition) #99-06-02-016
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



David Fulcher


[Modified by David-F, 6:04 PM 3/2/2002]

 

Hey Dave, mine is a '98 and I get this on DIC occasionally even though the coolant appears fine. Please e-mail me if you have further information. Appreciate the help and thanks.
Joe

 

Engine Low Coolant Light Comes On (Inspect Rad. Surge Tank, Replace/Reposition) #99-06-02-016
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

:seeya

 

C-5 TECH, you are the man. :cheers:

It may be worth the drive to get you to work on me car, when it needs another repair. And I am sure that will be any day. :lol:

 

I just keep my coolant topped off and rarely see it , usually when stopped on a hill it has popped up a handfull of times on my 98.

 

John's vette,

I received the "low coolant" DIC message on my 1999 C5 coupe at 16,161 miles (I purchased it new).

The dealer added some coolant and told me they "tightened" a hose fitting. I had checked all the hose fittings before I took it to the dealer (still under warranty) and found no leaks or evidence of a leak.

When I told that to the service writer, I got the infamous Chevrolet service "shoulder shrug" and then was told they couldn't find a leak.

I have not received the warning since. I'll bet my dealer did not check for the bulletin listed in this post. I will check the overflow jug myself. Thanks C5-TECH.

Good luck.

1999 White C5 Coupe