Dreaded Low coolant

**gnomee** · 02-18-2010, 03:26 PM

Well for the first time in 210,000 the low coolant won't stop randomly coming on in the 96 T/A.

I replaced the sensor and checked the level again last night.

Today the damn thing is back on!!

I've just unplugged it now, will know its low on coolant when it starts over heating

Just wondering if anyone would chime in and tell me the odds of me getting a bad sensor where higher than I think or maybe there is something else causing the issue. I'm not sure how that sensor really works since it does not cause the light to come on when unplugged.

**Hi-Po** · 02-18-2010, 05:17 PM

Its been a problem with many. Where did you buy the sensor? Those Mexico, China etc sensors have been known to be worse. How old is the coolant? If its old and gunked up, chances are its just going to keep fouling the sensor out.

Its a common problem no doubt. The only remedy is to keep clean coolant and run a quality made in the USA sensor.

**Cutlass** · 02-18-2010, 05:22 PM

if the low coolant light is off with the sensor unplugged, that proves that the wiring is ok and the sensor is closed and telling the BCM the coolant is low. The BCM then tells the cluster to turn on the light.
Sometimes these sensors stick a little and some light tapping against it will free it up. You could also drive it around a little bit to see if it jiggles free. I believe the light will stay once its triggered unless you cycle the key on and off.

**cammed goat** · 02-18-2010, 05:28 PM

OP, was the coolant level at the correct fill range? I only ask as you did not mention if you were low. I know when my light came on it was due to a crack on the end tank of my radiator. Also check your recovery tank to make sure you have no leak there either.

**gnomee** · 02-18-2010, 06:24 PM

Thanks for the input everyone!

It is a western xxx part. I already through away the box but I got it at a wholesale place I usually get all my Delco parts from but they only had this.

Yeah the coolant is full and fresh. I just put a new water pump on last year. Its beautiful green

I'll plug it back in next week along with tap on it a few times and see if the problem is solved.

I'm anal and really like everything working like it did from day one so its always going to bother me being un plugged. Plus this is my stocker, aside from the electric water pump and LS1 style air box this thing is bone stock with over 200k miles.

The formula is the bolt on queen.

**cammed goat** · 02-18-2010, 06:26 PM

I hate when something breaks/fails on my car. Right now my odometer has an LCD bleed which resulted in a black smudge on half the screen. Once my income tax money comes in I am buying another gauge cluster from eBay.