LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related

Low coolant light came on, but its totally full.

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Old Jul 28, 2005 | 08:56 PM
  #1  
lamb110's Avatar
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From: Elburn, IL
Low coolant light came on, but its totally full.

as the title says my low coolant light came on, I checked the coolant in both the over flow tank and the radiatior. They were both fine, i put in a 160 degree thermo. about 5k ago and its been fine since. It hasnt overheated at all even though we have had some really hot days here in DC, like 90+. Could the sensor be screwed up, and if it is were is it located.
thanks
Old Jul 28, 2005 | 08:58 PM
  #2  
Z28whiteboy's Avatar
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From: Arlington, TX
Re: Low coolant light came on, but its totally full.

Yea that's a common problem with every lt1, the only thing you can really do to get rid of it is disconnect the sensor.
Old Jul 28, 2005 | 09:02 PM
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Re: Low coolant light came on, but its totally full.

lol cool, i thought i was going crazy, i checked it like 3 times and its always been fine, were can i disconnect it at? i really didnt look or anything just being lazy and thought i'd ask first
if i disconnect it will it throw a SES?
Old Jul 28, 2005 | 10:05 PM
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simple's Avatar
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Re: Low coolant light came on, but its totally full.

could also be air trapped in the system
Old Jul 28, 2005 | 10:51 PM
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Re: Low coolant light came on, but its totally full.

Originally Posted by lamb110
lol cool, i thought i was going crazy, i checked it like 3 times and its always been fine, were can i disconnect it at? i really didnt look or anything just being lazy and thought i'd ask first
if i disconnect it will it throw a SES?
Location. It won't cause a SES if disconnected.
Old Jul 28, 2005 | 11:38 PM
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Re: Low coolant light came on, but its totally full.

pull if off and clean the sensor out. mine just got gunked up and needed to be rinsed off. i def would not just leave it disconnected thought.
Old Jul 29, 2005 | 12:23 PM
  #7  
1StockZ's Avatar
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From: Jersey
Re: Low coolant light came on, but its totally full.

Have you ever replaced your stock water pump? I just blew a head gasket because I ran the block low on water. The radiator was full and the overflow was full most of the time the low coolant light came on If I were you I wouldn't ignore the fact that a low coolant light is coming on. My water pump bearing went completly out.

Better safe than sorry right?!?
Old Jul 29, 2005 | 12:27 PM
  #8  
Z28barnett's Avatar
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From: Missouri
Re: Low coolant light came on, but its totally full.

Originally Posted by meangreen661
pull if off and clean the sensor out. mine just got gunked up and needed to be rinsed off. i def would not just leave it disconnected thought.
I tried this and it didn't work for me. I would suggest a new sensor.

There are two kinds with different connectors, shoebox site decribes them.
Old Jul 29, 2005 | 03:18 PM
  #9  
lamb110's Avatar
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From: Elburn, IL
Re: Low coolant light came on, but its totally full.

see i was thinking that i was loosing coolant because of a blown head gasket (i'm always thinking worst case) but it has NEVER over heated. its gotten hot like a hair over 210 degrees, but that was when i was stuck in traffic on a 95+ degree day. I have a 160 degree thermo, and the fans kick on ealier thanks to Ion's tuning.
I'm going to go get a new sensor tomarrow and change it, hoprefully that works out, if not then i'll start to get scared.
Old Jul 29, 2005 | 03:31 PM
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Re: Low coolant light came on, but its totally full.

STOP! Do not disconnect your warning light. It is telling you that you need to do something about your coolant.

I had the same problem.. Check the overflow hose for flow. Mine was clogged and I was losing coolant. It goes between the radiator cap to the reservoir. It can get clogged with goober/calcium. I had to sandblast it from the inside. You also may have some air in the system. Have you opened the purge valve?
Old Jul 29, 2005 | 04:06 PM
  #11  
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From: Manhattan, KS
Re: Low coolant light came on, but its totally full.

be carefull when you take out the sensor because antifreeze will come out. my light lit up all the time but that was after i changed the water pump. it finally quit doing that. the level was always fine so i wouldnt worry about it unless you car starts to heat up really bad.
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