I just replaced the radiator in my 1997 Camaro SS. In the process if changing it out, I noticed that the level sensor was unplugged. After I installed the new radiator I plugged the sensor back in. I filled up the radiator and let out all the air bubbles as far as I can tell. Now when the car is sitting idle at a light or something the coolant light comes on as soon as the temp gets over 210. I checked the radiator again, and it has plenty of coolant in it (the level is right at the filler neck).

The thing is I had this light come on before, and it was supposedly my water pump leaking that caused it (so the dealer told me). After my water pump was replaced the light came on again, so I took it back. The dealer told me it was an air bubble in the system. Now I'm beginning to think that they just unplugged the sensor. The water pump thing was done over a year ago.

The car does not overheat at all (which is usually what happens when the coolant is low), in fact the fans kick in just as the temp gets over 210 and it cools back down below 200. I think that the sensor itself may be bad. Should I just unplug it again, or replace it?

 

Do you know about the screws that relieve the pressure in the system. There are two of them, you fill it up, let it run for about 7-10 minutes but dont let it get to hot. Then open the screws and let the air out until you see coolant and then close them, refill the system and repeat until when you open the screws nothing but coolant comes out. If you did that then the sensor was probably unplugged because it is faulty and I would reccomend a new sensor.

 

Yeah, I bled it out already.

 

It is not uncommon for the light to come on after a system fill and may settle down after a few days. If not, read more...

 

Thank you that link was very helpful.