Engine coolant light
Engine coolant light 2 days ago my engine coolant light came on. I checked the engine coolant reservoir and it seemed a bit low. Anyway, I filled it up with water and my light is still on.
Do you guys know why this is happening? I drove around for about 10 mins this morning and it came back on so I stopped at the gas station to check it out and it seemed fine.
Do you guys know why this is happening? I drove around for about 10 mins this morning and it came back on so I stopped at the gas station to check it out and it seemed fine. 
11 Second Club
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From: Your girl's back door giving her the long stroke while you're at work
The one in my 94 is doing the samething, been like that since last year. I just check it once a month to make sure it is full
I know this is a dumb question, but how do I check the radiator and what should I be lookin for?
So did you end up changing your sensor or what?
So did you end up changing your sensor or what?
On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 128
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take off the radiator cap and look in to see if it is full. the sensor i believe is in the reservoir. i had mine get messed up when the dex started to turn to that mud crap so changed i pulled it out and just put a new one in. and changed the coolant
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Its simple man. The sensor is there to let you know when you have low coolant levels. Either it is working, or it is faulty and needs to be replaced. If it is working, it will prove it by coming on when your coolant level has gone below the sensor. You would be able to tell this by opening up the cap on your radiator (be smart, and make sure its cool first, otherwise you won't have to dress up for Halloween this year), and looking at your coolant level. The sensor is located about 3-4 inches down from the top on the back side of the radiator below the cap. If the coolant has passed below the sensor, just add more coolant, and it should go away. If it comes back, and you check the coolant level again, and it has gone down again, it looks like you have a coolant leak of some sorts. Possilby a blown head gasket, but more likely a leaky coolant line, or a bad water pump.
If the low coolant light is on and you check the fluid level and it is topped off (or has a coolant level above the sensor), then you know its a bad sensor, and you'll need ro replace it. They are cheep (maybe $15-$20 at any Autozone), and easy to replace. Just drain the coolant level down below where the sensor goes in, and then the sensor should twist and pull right out. Then fill it back up and be on your merry way.
Edit: the sensor in the LS1 may not be below the cap. I was thinking about my LT1 car. It may be in the resevior tank, but I would guess its still in the radiator somewhere. Just look for a small black sensor going into the radiator or tank, and I'm sure you could locate it.
If the low coolant light is on and you check the fluid level and it is topped off (or has a coolant level above the sensor), then you know its a bad sensor, and you'll need ro replace it. They are cheep (maybe $15-$20 at any Autozone), and easy to replace. Just drain the coolant level down below where the sensor goes in, and then the sensor should twist and pull right out. Then fill it back up and be on your merry way.
Edit: the sensor in the LS1 may not be below the cap. I was thinking about my LT1 car. It may be in the resevior tank, but I would guess its still in the radiator somewhere. Just look for a small black sensor going into the radiator or tank, and I'm sure you could locate it.
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Very common issue. Just unplug the sensor and you're done. Or, replace it. Which ever floats your boat.
The sensor is the box a couple of inches below the radiator cap. There's a wire going into it. You can't miss it.
The sensor is the box a couple of inches below the radiator cap. There's a wire going into it. You can't miss it.
It's the same for the LT1's (I thought it might be). Yeah, if you are showing a full radiator (coolant line above the sensor), then the sensor is bad. Read my previous post for details, but its a sinch to replace.
Ehh... The OEM sensors usually work fine, but if you aren't using distilled water in with your antifreeze mix, then it can cause the sensors to go out much faster than if you buy the 50/50 premixed coolant, or if you just keep your cooling system clean.
I plan on doing a coolant flush soon, but I wanted to know how. I just searched and I didn't come up with much. I plan to use DexCool. Also how much coolant will I need? Will I use a whole jug of the DexCool?
TECH Resident
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 818
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From: Iowa
+1 my sensor also went bad, I just unplugged it, I figured why spend money on a dummy sensor when I check my coolant level all the time.
2 there is a drain plug on the bottom side of the radiator, unscrew it
3 let drain, when completly draind screw the radiator drain plug back in
4 fill until full
if you want to drain the coolent overflow bottle
1 take out the battery
2 and you should be able to take out the bolts that are holding the coolent tank in place
3 unscrew the coolent overflow bottle bolts, pull it completely out and spray it out with water
4 put it back into car
5 make sure you put the coolent hose that comes from the radiator to the overflow bottle back on!
6 fill the over flow bottle back up
enjoy its a pretty simple process. maybe 30 min. 10 of that is letting it drain from the radiator!
hope this helps you out man
btw i believe it will take the whole bottle!
1 take the radiator cap off for ventilation
2 there is a drain plug on the bottom side of the radiator, unscrew it
3 let drain, when completly draind screw the radiator drain plug back in
4 fill until full
if you want to drain the coolent overflow bottle
1 take out the battery
2 and you should be able to take out the bolts that are holding the coolent tank in place
3 unscrew the coolent overflow bottle bolts, pull it completely out and spray it out with water
4 put it back into car
5 make sure you put the coolent hose that comes from the radiator to the overflow bottle back on!
6 fill the over flow bottle back up
enjoy its a pretty simple process. maybe 30 min. 10 of that is letting it drain from the radiator!
hope this helps you out man
btw i believe it will take the whole bottle!
2 there is a drain plug on the bottom side of the radiator, unscrew it
3 let drain, when completly draind screw the radiator drain plug back in
4 fill until full
if you want to drain the coolent overflow bottle
1 take out the battery
2 and you should be able to take out the bolts that are holding the coolent tank in place
3 unscrew the coolent overflow bottle bolts, pull it completely out and spray it out with water
4 put it back into car
5 make sure you put the coolent hose that comes from the radiator to the overflow bottle back on!
6 fill the over flow bottle back up
enjoy its a pretty simple process. maybe 30 min. 10 of that is letting it drain from the radiator!
hope this helps you out man
btw i believe it will take the whole bottle!
Thanks man! I'll try to do this tomorrow. What is the coolant overflow bottle? Is it the coolant reservoir?