add coolant light coming on sporadically

[silvermansteve]

hello! i have a '98 z28 with 210,000 trouble free miles on it. i bought it new. all i've done is change belts and hoses a couple of times, a fuel filter, a coolant flush twice and...that's about it. i use mobil 1 oil and change it about every 5,000 miles. i love my camaro.

now the add coolant light comes on sometimes. the temperature is always in the lower middle of the normal range. the car runs great. i opened what i believe is the radiator surge tank fill cap, when the car was slightly warm, and the coolant was almost up to the brim. so it does not look like i could add coolant if i tried.

so, what's up with this? i'm sure there is a lot of knowledge here. thanks in advance for your input.

steven

[KMdef9]

What's the level in the the reservoir?

The level sensor might be on it's way out as well and may need replacing.

[pajeff02]

^^ This. '98 was the only year with an actual working temp gauge, so you can generally trust that. Never remove the radiator cap when the system is hot -- even the overflow bottle I check when cold just to be safe in case the vent tube is blocked up. If the level on your overflow bottle's dipstick is in the proper range, and the level in the radiator is near the top, I agree that it is probably a faulty sensor.

[cpop98ws6]

^^^ Agreed with the faulty sensor. Mine comes on every now and then to, mostly when its cold.

[tatertot91]

Like everyone said, 98s came with the sensor and they usually go bad. I just unplugged it on my 98 and it shut off the light.

[wicked1]

I have a 99 TA that also has the sensor. Had the same problem and unplugged it. If you take care of your car and perform routine maintenence on it you dont need the sensor. But what happens is the sensor is extremely sensitive. And the stuff that coats the inside of your radiator gets on it making it dirty and it says the coolant is low. GM knew this was a problem and thats why the 2000 and later models dont have the sensor.

[PFM]

I have a 99 TA that also has the sensor. Had the same problem and unplugged it. If you take care of your car and perform routine maintenence on it you dont need the sensor. But what happens is the sensor is extremely sensitive. And the stuff that coats the inside of your radiator gets on it making it dirty and it says the coolant is low. GM knew this was a problem and thats why the 2000 and later models dont have the sensor.

I'm glad you said you can unplug it and get rid of the alarm. My 98 does it every once in a blue moon.

[wicked1]

Yep, its a small plug on the passenger side of the radiator.

I'm glad you said you can unplug it and get rid of the alarm. My 98 does it every once in a blue moon.

[SteveC]

^^^ Agreed with the faulty sensor. Mine comes on every now and then to, mostly when its cold.

X2 on that.

SteveC

[TA98]

i just unplugged mine. and just take the cap off and check periodically