Coolant light question

[wa2tuff]

My coolant light stays on for about a minute or two of driving then goes out. It only does it when the engine is cold. Water pump is new, coolant level is fine, no leaks anywhere, engine runs fine, heater blows hot, so everything works. Since I don't know, I'll ask. Is the sending unit electrical or mechanical (so that it would stick)? If it's nothing special, I'll wait until the weather warms up to mess with it. Of course, if it's easy to fix, let me know and I'll do it soon. Thanks.

PS. Searching was frustrating.

 

[hotdimmes]

parking uphill?

 

[elraido]

My coolant light stays on for about a minute or two of driving then goes out. It only does it when the engine is cold. Water pump is new, coolant level is fine, no leaks anywhere, engine runs fine, heater blows hot, so everything works. Since I don't know, I'll ask. Is the sending unit electrical or mechanical (so that it would stick)? If it's nothing special, I'll wait until the weather warms up to mess with it. Of course, if it's easy to fix, let me know and I'll do it soon. Thanks.

did you fill it a half inch to an inch ABOVE the max line?

 

[CSVT1214]

Even with mine at max or just above, I get the coolant light occasionally when parked on a hill. This doesn't happen in the summer, only in winter. :shrug:

 

[BrApple]

because of difference in ambient temp between summer and winter the coolant like anything else will expand or contract. in this case as the engine warms up the coolant expands and the low coolant light goes off because its level in the tank is higher .... not sure if that is 100% correct but I think it explains it

 

[CSVT1214]

because of difference in ambient temp between summer and winter the coolant like anything else will expand or contract. in this case as the engine warms up the coolant expands and the low coolant light goes off because its level in the tank is higher .... not sure if that is 100% correct but I think it explains it

That was my understanding as well, but even in the cold, I've checked the coolant levels and found them above max. They can be the same levels, and the only difference is temperature but yet the coolant light is on when it's cold.

 

[98SVTC]

Well, there's always the possibility that the sending unit or the magnet part in the tank is starting to go bad. That's how mine acted. Now the light is on all the time until I get another overflow tank.
Karl

 

[wa2tuff]

Even with mine at max or just above, I get the coolant light occasionally when parked on a hill. This doesn't happen in the summer, only in winter. :shrug:

Interestingly enough, this did not start until the cold weather, and yes, I was parking on a hill at the beginning. Now I'm not parking on a hill, but it's still doing it. I honestly don't remember it doing this during any previous winters.

 

[Tony2005]

Even with mine at max or just above, I get the coolant light occasionally when parked on a hill. This doesn't happen in the summer, only in winter. :shrug:

Interestingly enough, this did not start until the cold weather, and yes, I was parking on a hill at the beginning. Now I'm not parking on a hill, but it's still doing it. I honestly don't remember it doing this during any previous winters.

If you have enough coolant and park on the hill facing downhill, you should not get the light at startup. If you face uphill, yes, the light will come on for a minute or two after startup if you don't have at least 3/4 inch above the max line. Also depends on the slope of the hill. Mine is about 15 percent incline. :blackeye:

 

[St.Kittz]

I am having the same problem. But I do NOT park on a hill,I park in a garage but after few minutes the light goes off, plenty of fluid everything works good. Last year I never had problems, It just started recently , I assumed it was the cold, or electrical, as I have had other electrical problems........

 

[Dan the rug man]

Coolant light

Coolant light

My coolant light would come on when plenty of coolant was in the tank. I drained the tank, replaced the sending unit, flushed the tank, re-installed and re-filled. Problem solved. Worth a try. Good luck Dan

 

[KennyT772]

Sounds like the sender warming up, not the coolant. Replace it as Dan said and your problem should disappear.