my low coolant light keeps coming on but there is plenty of coolant in the car. why does this thing keep coming on and whats a good way to fix it?

 

I had a similar problem on my car. The previous owner had mixed coolants, I think and there was some trash in the overflow tank. I had to flush the system a few good times and I finally have it good now. I haven't had the light come on since.

(knock on wood)

-bryan

 

mine did it for a long time, i got tired of it and just unplugged the sensor. its on the passenger side of the radiator. over time the sensor gets gunked up and doesnt read right in most cases. you can either replace it (cant remember the price but it was rather pricey imo) or just un plug it and just check the coolant level more often. mines been unplugged for probably a year now with no problems.

 

Yea mine used to do it all the time but it hasn't come on in about a month now so I don't know what the deal was. I'm gonna get my coolant flushed here soon anyway cuz I don't know if or when the previous owner did it.

 

Its know to be faulty, you can try to clean it., but I doubt it'll work. I just unplugged mine.

 

It's a low cost sensor and easy to replace. I don't recommend driving around without the sensor plugged in; not worth the risk of overheating the engine if you do have a low coolant issue and blowing a head gasket or worse.

 

True but if you watch your temp, your still ok. My sensor light has been on for a long time, so i just ignore it now. I do know however that my system is full.

I hardley ever drive my car without eyeballing the gauges.

 

i had the same issue, so i "burped" the radiator to get the air out. i had a lil vapor lock issue. try lettin it become completely cool. start it with the radiator cap off and wait for the thrermostat to open. you will see the coolant running inside the radiator. if the level drops, top it off. let it drop again, then top off again. do this till it doesn't drop any more. watch for air being released.

 

if i remember right, a new one costs about 50 bucks from GM

 

I believe I would try to remove it and clean it up a bit before blowing fiddy on it.

 

i should probably do that, mine has started to act up.

 

its not that big of a deal as long as you pay attention. its not that hard to just check the coolant level a tad bit more often than you usually do. hell people have ran without that sensor for years with no problem.



free > spending money

 

mines doin the same thing.. Im glad some one else posted it..