Reads low coolant level when not. Bad sensor??
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
From: Pleasant valley New york
Reads low coolant level when not. Bad sensor??
I've got a 98 and after changing out all the coolant and flushing the system along with transplanting the coolant level sensor to a new coolant reservoir it now keeps reading low coolant level when it's not low.
Bad sensor???
Looked fine when I pulled it out and checked it
Input would be appreciated
Bad sensor???
Looked fine when I pulled it out and checked it
Input would be appreciated
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
From: Pleasant valley New york
I don't think so, the new tank came without one and the old tank with sensor out looks exactly the same, the sensor has a rubber o ring to seal it just like electrical connections do in the cars. And you push it into the tank opening for it and then plug on the electrical connection.
I was trying to figure just how it works though.???
I was trying to figure just how it works though.???
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 299
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
I've got a 98 and after changing out all the coolant and flushing the system along with transplanting the coolant level sensor to a new coolant reservoir it now keeps reading low coolant level when it's not low.
Bad sensor???
Looked fine when I pulled it out and checked it
Input would be appreciated
Bad sensor???
Looked fine when I pulled it out and checked it
Input would be appreciated
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 8
From: Hopatcong New Jersey
I don't think so, the new tank came without one and the old tank with sensor out looks exactly the same, the sensor has a rubber o ring to seal it just like electrical connections do in the cars. And you push it into the tank opening for it and then plug on the electrical connection.
I was trying to figure just how it works though.???
I was trying to figure just how it works though.???
The 00-04 tanks likely use the same molds as the early tanks, but the spot where the sensor gets installed is sealed off on the 00-04. You can not simply swap the sensor from a 97-99 to an 00-04 without modifying the tank.
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,643
Likes: 7,291
From: CT
SOLVED --- I had this precise problem on my 99 recently. Solution is to buy a new overflow tank. It comes with the sensor installed/attached. The sensor is not sold separately from GM yet.
Of note, there are some large vendors here who have good prices... but I got mine direct from AC Delco via Amazon PLUS shipped it 3 day for less than the discount price elsewhere.
Alternative - connect the wires to themselves. Apparently, from searching the forums here, the indicator only lights up when the connection is broken. Connect them and you'll never have the signal pop up again.
Of note, there are some large vendors here who have good prices... but I got mine direct from AC Delco via Amazon PLUS shipped it 3 day for less than the discount price elsewhere.
Alternative - connect the wires to themselves. Apparently, from searching the forums here, the indicator only lights up when the connection is broken. Connect them and you'll never have the signal pop up again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
I get the low coolant warning from time to time on my 99. It always/only seems to happen when I am stopped in a somewhat nose down position, like the end of my driveway. Never had any temp problems so I have left it alone.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
I am thankful that the Corvette has a low coolant level light and a low oil level light, all cars should have these important warning lights!
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 319
Likes: 13
From: Macomb Michigan
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
99 6mm Had the same problem with the low level. After much adjusting and fooling around, I finally found out that the level WAS actually LOW ! Added a small amount of fluid and have had no more problems. I know this sounds goofy, but it actually happened. Add some fluid and see what happens.
My 2 cts.
My 2 cts.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Arvada Colorado
I've had this problem with my '99 for a long time as well. It seemed to happen at the same stoplight everyday on my way in to work. It's definitely a "nose down" stop so I thought that or one of the sensors in the road messed with it. I always just cleared it because I knew I wasn't low on coolant. Recently the plastic T for the hose hookups on my surge tank cracked so I replace the surge tank with one from '97-'99 and it came with a new coolant sensor and sure enough it still goes off daily even though the coolant level is fine. I am seriously considering just wiring the terminals together to never get it again.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
From: Pleasant valley New york
I had replaced the coolant reservoir and found out that they gave me the wrong one. Problem solved. Turned out that from 97 for a few years they have sensor. After that they don't.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
Here's another forum link that discusses the low level issues as well. It's an old posting but may help.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...t-message.html
And another link to owners with the similiar problem
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...urge-tank.html
Also just another FYI. Sludge can build up on the float inside the tank on the earlier models. Just removing the tank and rinsing with clean water and shaking it a bit may free up the float. Just something to try before anything else and it costs nothing.
Last edited by MG RED 99; Jul 22, 2013 at 04:21 PM.
