Cant get the low coolant light to go off

Redirwol1 · 11-29-2005, 12:46 AM

The low coolant light is lit on the cluster, but the coolant is full...not sure what it could be? probably could fix it with a new sensor, but thought maybe someone new a cheap (free) fix. lol.

2001NBMZ28 · 11-29-2005, 08:27 AM

You can try taking it off and cleaning it...or just disconnect it and the light will stay off.

Zeroskater1028 · 11-29-2005, 10:26 AM

i have the same problem with my car. I poked around to see what it was but didnt find anything worng so i took it to proffesionals. They also couldnt figure out what it was. So i just dont pay attention to it anymore. As long as the fluid levels are good im not worried.

easyericvan · 11-29-2005, 02:03 PM

My car does the same thing. It is a sensor. My shop said they cost about $80 to get a new one. I say forget about it and just watch engine temp. every now and then.

2001NBMZ28 · 11-29-2005, 03:23 PM

GM list for the sensor (10096163) is about $54 now - if my car had one I'd just disconnect it and and check the fluid level once in a while...it's the "cheap (free) fix."

Flobeast385 · 11-29-2005, 08:55 PM

Mine did the same thing about a month or so ago and since I am a GM tech at a local dealership I get a full summery of all technical service bullatins so I did some reading and to my surprise it says to turn the car off, unplug the connector from the coolant level sensor, hit it with a hammer a few good times without busting it, plug sensor up, and then start the car. If the light is still on then replace sensor. I had to repeat the steps a couple of times but it worked and hasent come back on.

stangslayer98 · 12-03-2005, 07:17 PM

yeah hammers usually work.......good way to vent too

ninobrn99 · 12-09-2005, 06:25 PM

1. its a very well known problem that the sensor goes bad on its own. you can a. replace it or b. leave it unplugged and keep an eye on your ect's

2. thats why we have sponsors

Fred Beans has great pricing!

TwistedSS · 02-03-2006, 11:44 PM

im having the same problem...im gonna go ahead and replace the sensor in a few days.

Magic Man · 02-05-2006, 12:20 PM

As stated above just unplug it an light will go away.

transam98 · 02-07-2006, 10:33 AM

can anyone tell me where the sensor is? thanks

transam98 · 02-07-2006, 10:33 AM

can anyone tell me where the sensor is? thanks

2001NBMZ28 · 02-07-2006, 10:46 AM

Passenger side of radiator, about 4-5" below the cap.

transam98 · 02-07-2006, 10:58 AM

ok thanks i thought that was it i just wanted a second opinion.

Chevyss4 · 02-19-2006, 02:45 AM

Thanks, my light went on yesterday and the coolant level is O.K. and temp is normal. Saved some money here on LSx.

SSNAKEATER23 · 03-13-2006, 12:38 PM

I also had the same problem last summer. Coolant wasn't leaking temp was fine, but light ould not go off. I replaced the sensor, all the wiring leading to the sensor and numerous pressure tests and still nothing. After a 2 month stint at my local chevy dealership the tech manager found it to be a faulty radiator cap. The seal was bad around the cap and was causing it to give a low reading. maybe you have the same problem. Good luck

99'CajunFirehawk157 · 01-05-2008, 11:35 PM

So how do you remove this sqaure coolant level sensor?

cobrahunter · 01-06-2008, 11:17 AM

After a short while, the light got really annoying, so I paid the $80 or so and replaced the old one.

99'CajunFirehawk157 · 01-06-2008, 09:30 PM

Well, after looking at this link: http://shbox.com/1/low_coolant2.jpg
I decided to give it a try, once you take the battery out, its pretty easy, although on the how to, it does not say weather its one clip or two and how to remove them? Well its one big c type clip and it pulls out toward the battery, then the sending unit pulls straight out. I then cleaned mine with some hot water and degreaser, then wire brushed the tip best I could, then cleaned it again and put it back it, works fine. Takes about 15-20 mins tops. YMMV

NVRANUF · 01-07-2008, 07:12 AM

The coolant sensor can be unplugged. Just check your coolant like on any other car.

11-29-2005, 12:46 AM	#1
Redirwol1 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Diamondhead, Mississippi Age: 26 Posts: 26 1998 Chevy Camaro SS Black	Cant get the low coolant light to go off The low coolant light is lit on the cluster, but the coolant is full...not sure what it could be? probably could fix it with a new sensor, but thought maybe someone new a cheap (free) fix. lol.

01-05-2008, 11:35 PM	#17
99'CajunFirehawk157 undercarriage clean freak Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 39466 USA Age: 48 Posts: 695 99 Firehawk #157 Roadster Bright Red	So how do you remove this sqaure coolant level sensor? __________________ Regards, Todd Visit My F-Quick Garage

11-29-2005, 08:27 AM	#2
2001NBMZ28 Senior Member Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,598	You can try taking it off and cleaning it...or just disconnect it and the light will stay off.

11-29-2005, 10:26 AM	#3
Zeroskater1028 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: La Puente, Ca Age: 23 Posts: 64 96' Camaro SS M6 Red	i have the same problem with my car. I poked around to see what it was but didnt find anything worng so i took it to proffesionals. They also couldnt figure out what it was. So i just dont pay attention to it anymore. As long as the fluid levels are good im not worried.

11-29-2005, 02:03 PM	#4
easyericvan I Love My Bong Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hot Springs, AR Age: 23 Posts: 164 99' Trans Am Midnight Blue	My car does the same thing. It is a sensor. My shop said they cost about $80 to get a new one. I say forget about it and just watch engine temp. every now and then.

11-29-2005, 03:23 PM	#5
2001NBMZ28 Senior Member Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,598	GM list for the sensor (10096163) is about $54 now - if my car had one I'd just disconnect it and and check the fluid level once in a while...it's the "cheap (free) fix."

11-29-2005, 08:55 PM	#6
Flobeast385 Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NC Age: 24 Posts: 124 1999 TA M6 Pewter	Mine did the same thing about a month or so ago and since I am a GM tech at a local dealership I get a full summery of all technical service bullatins so I did some reading and to my surprise it says to turn the car off, unplug the connector from the coolant level sensor, hit it with a hammer a few good times without busting it, plug sensor up, and then start the car. If the light is still on then replace sensor. I had to repeat the steps a couple of times but it worked and hasent come back on.

12-03-2005, 07:17 PM	#7
stangslayer98 N/A nitrously aspirated Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: miami,fl Age: 28 Posts: 498 1998 trans am black	yeah hammers usually work.......good way to vent too

12-09-2005, 06:25 PM	#8
ninobrn99 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Honolulu HI Age: 27 Posts: 2,487 all bore 370 Trans Am Pewter	1. its a very well known problem that the sensor goes bad on its own. you can a. replace it or b. leave it unplugged and keep an eye on your ect's 2. thats why we have sponsors Fred Beans has great pricing!

02-03-2006, 11:44 PM	#9
TwistedSS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 211 2001 Camaro SS Arctic White	im having the same problem...im gonna go ahead and replace the sensor in a few days.

02-05-2006, 12:20 PM	#10
Magic Man Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Augusta,Ks Age: 61 Posts: 1 '99 Camaro Black	As stated above just unplug it an light will go away.

02-07-2006, 10:33 AM	#11
transam98 Niles Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Herrin, IL Age: 25 Posts: 407	can anyone tell me where the sensor is? thanks

02-07-2006, 10:46 AM	#13
2001NBMZ28 Senior Member Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,598	Passenger side of radiator, about 4-5" below the cap.

02-07-2006, 10:58 AM	#14
transam98 Niles Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Herrin, IL Age: 25 Posts: 407	ok thanks i thought that was it i just wanted a second opinion.

02-19-2006, 02:45 AM	#15
Chevyss4 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: ponchatoula louisiana Age: 50 Posts: 8 1999 pontiac trans am black	Thanks, my light went on yesterday and the coolant level is O.K. and temp is normal. Saved some money here on LSx.

03-13-2006, 12:38 PM	#16
SSNAKEATER23 SS-EIAN Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CHICAGO Age: 29 Posts: 537 1999 CAMARO SS SILVER	I also had the same problem last summer. Coolant wasn't leaking temp was fine, but light ould not go off. I replaced the sensor, all the wiring leading to the sensor and numerous pressure tests and still nothing. After a 2 month stint at my local chevy dealership the tech manager found it to be a faulty radiator cap. The seal was bad around the cap and was causing it to give a low reading. maybe you have the same problem. Good luck

01-06-2008, 11:17 AM	#18
cobrahunter Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Bay Age: 38 Posts: 503 1998 Camaro Z28 Black	After a short while, the light got really annoying, so I paid the $80 or so and replaced the old one.

01-06-2008, 09:30 PM	#19
99'CajunFirehawk157 undercarriage clean freak Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 39466 USA Age: 48 Posts: 695 99 Firehawk #157 Roadster Bright Red	Well, after looking at this link: http://shbox.com/1/low_coolant2.jpg I decided to give it a try, once you take the battery out, its pretty easy, although on the how to, it does not say weather its one clip or two and how to remove them? Well its one big c type clip and it pulls out toward the battery, then the sending unit pulls straight out. I then cleaned mine with some hot water and degreaser, then wire brushed the tip best I could, then cleaned it again and put it back it, works fine. Takes about 15-20 mins tops. YMMV

01-07-2008, 07:12 AM	#20
NVRANUF Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ponchatoula Louisiana Age: 50 Posts: 54 1999 Trans am Black	The coolant sensor can be unplugged. Just check your coolant like on any other car.