coolant light?

[Black_Mamba]

I've driven my car hard before & I've never came across anything other than some axle tramp / wheel hop from a dig. A few months ago towards the end of summer, I peeled out & my coolant light came on. When I woke up the next morning obviously it was gone. So I thought its only when I spin my tires launching or peeling out it goes on.

Since then I have done a coolant flush.

Today, some a**hole in a toyota camry floored it and cut me off to get on the freeway. So being me, I punched it & got ahead of him & kept break checking him. He went to go around me like some cat and mouse horseplay & I punched it again & my coolant light came on so I let off & let him go on. I stopped driving hard for the remainder of my trip to school (20 min drive) & I coasted along at about 70 to 80 mph & the light went off. When I got to school I popped my hood while the car was running to notice my fans weren't spinning. On my way home I was cutting through traffic with 2 of my friends & my light came back on. I cruised at 80mph again for about 5 min or so & it went back off again. I got home, checked under the hood, fans off.

My temp gauge is always at half way or under half way so I know it doesn't over heat.

My main question is, is that red coolant light strictly for low coolant level, or could it be to warn me that something in the cooling system itself is faulty? If its faulty, then most likely it goes off due to the fans. But I wanna make sure.

*Attatched is an image of where my temp gauge sits on average. It'll never go ave that unless I'm sitting in my car letting it idle for 20 minutes. But normaly its like that or lower.

[JLw7123]

well did you check the coolant level?

[03glgold]

Start with his suggestion but for the fans not coming on could be a bad relay or bad temp sensor...I don't know where the temp sensor is on the 3400 though

[Black_Mamba]

I can't check the coolant level while the cars hot because it has a pressure cap for the resevoir. I don't have one on my radiator. But when I did the coolant flush I put in the exact amount the car calls for. The light only comes on when I drive hard or floor the car.

& as for the fans I gotta test the relays and electrics at work tomorrow. I'm just curious if the light has to do with the fans.

Thanks for the feedback guys!

[a.graham52]

especialy at those speeds you wont see the fans come on. my fans hardly ever come on. these cars to a gread job of cooling with static air alone.

wiggle the coolant bottle so you can see fluid moving in it... put a light behind it if you have to
or
loosen that cap untill it starts to hiss. let it hiss for a while and when it stops take the cap off.
or
check it first thing before you leave today

red coolant light is for low coolant level.

[Redog]

especialy at those speeds you wont see the fans come on. my fans hardly ever come on. these cars to a gread job of cooling with static air alone.

wiggle the coolant bottle so you can see fluid moving in it... put a light behind it if you have to
or
loosen that cap untill it starts to hiss. let it hiss for a while and when it stops take the cap off.
or
check it first thing before you leave today

red coolant light is for low coolant level.

Beat me to it.

Mine is doing that every so often too. Not all the time when I get on it. Raced at the track a few weeks ago, nothing, pulled out of my driveway last week, light came on. WTF. Coolant was full

[mfuller]

You may need to replace the coolant reservior.
The coolant level sensor has a tendency to get gunked up in higher mileage motors, especially if the coolant mixture has broken down and left sediment in the recovery tank.

[TheEdgeofSanity]

Good luck with the coolant light, as everyone stated above, the light is for the coolant level. I'm sorry though, but nobody has pointed out it seems like you have an aggressive driving/road rage problem. That really added nothing to your question about the light so why brag about being a douche who has to be vengeful and brake check people. quite frankly, that kind of driving is what causes accidents and gets people killed. I'm fairly sure that NY law is similar to michigan law which states you are supposed to yield and let people merge on the freeway.

[mfuller]

Good luck with the coolant light, as everyone stated above, the light is for the coolant level. I'm sorry though, but nobody has pointed out it seems like you have an aggressive driving/road rage problem. That really added nothing to your question about the light so why brag about being a douche who has to be vengeful and brake check people. quite frankly, that kind of driving is what causes accidents and gets people killed. I'm fairly sure that NY law is similar to michigan law which states you are supposed to yield and let people merge on the freeway.

^ Good point. Please drive safely for the sake of others.
Don't contribute to road douchebaggery.

[a.graham52]

Good luck with the coolant light, as everyone stated above, the light is for the coolant level. I'm sorry though, but nobody has pointed out it seems like you have an aggressive driving/road rage problem. That really added nothing to your question about the light so why brag about being a douche who has to be vengeful and brake check people. quite frankly, that kind of driving is what causes accidents and gets people killed. I'm fairly sure that NY law is similar to michigan law which states you are supposed to yield and let people merge on the freeway.

probably because no one wanted to start another argument lol. i do agree though. plus... ITS HARD ON THE CAR

[JLw7123]

^ Good point. Please drive safely for the sake of others.
Don't contribute to road douchebaggery.

ya saying that you past someone and start break checking that is a douchebag move and very unsafe. also you should not be doing 80mph.

[$hawn]

Assuming the coolant level is fine, either the coolant level sensor is dirty or you need to replace it, their about $9-10 at an auto parts store.

[Redog]

^^ I don't think you can just replace the sensor, it's molded into the tank.

My tank is only a few months old, my old one was cracked, but it didn't do this with the old tank. Me thinks I gots a bad sensor in me tank.

[xXManwhoreXx]

Sounds like you car also thinks you drive like an asshole

[mmorello82]

Never had my coolant light come on *knock wood*. As for the other issue. Not touching that with a 10 foot pole. LOL

[[ion] C2]

yeah great driving, brake checking is for fags.
michigan law which states you are supposed to yield and let people merge on the freeway.
No, those entering the flow of traffic are to YIELD, up to fully stopping if necessary. Where the F is everyone buying their licenses?

level sensor is in the front, so naturally if the coolant is even a bit low, the coolant will slosh backwards and the sensor will see low coolant

[Brad Jahnke]

I recently had this issue with my coolant light popping on and off...started by replacing my resiviour. Still kept coming on. Replaced the radiator, still kept coming on. My mechanic eventually found a leak in a "y" connection under the engine where the hoses connect to the engine. It was a 10 dollar plastic piece and a 30 dollar labor charge. Regardless, start with the resiviour, then start looking for small leaks. I know gm dealerships sell the coolant level sensor but they can be a bitch to replace.

[Black_Mamba]

:( - anyone know where i can find red coolant hoses?

right before i did my coolant flush, the color of it was dirt brown, so i asked a few of my teachers at school (Lincoln Tech) and they said to flush it out because thats rust and build up in the system, but if i flush it, i might develop holes in the system. so i had no choice but to flush it anyway, and the light stopped coming back on. then a few weeks ago, when i orginally posted this thread, it came back on. i added coolant and it hasnt come back on.

today it came back on and i popped the hood and squeezed the coolant hoses and there was very little pressure. so i have a leak somewhere but i dont know where.

The only thing i know is that after driving home from school at night and i shut the car off, i can hear a noise that sounds like "water going down a drain".

so im gonna replace the coolant hoses and i was thinking i might as well do red ones while im at it. i cant find any though. if no one has any ideas, can they recomend me some good hoses at least even if they're plain black?

[Thewolf]

:( - anyone know where i can find red coolant hoses?

right before i did my coolant flush, the color of it was dirt brown, so i asked a few of my teachers at school (Lincoln Tech) and they said to flush it out because thats rust and build up in the system, but if i flush it, i might develop holes in the system. so i had no choice but to flush it anyway, and the light stopped coming back on. then a few weeks ago, when i orginally posted this thread, it came back on. i added coolant and it hasnt come back on.

today it came back on and i popped the hood and squeezed the coolant hoses and there was very little pressure. so i have a leak somewhere but i dont know where.

The only thing i know is that after driving home from school at night and i shut the car off, i can hear a noise that sounds like "water going down a drain".

so im gonna replace the coolant hoses and i was thinking i might as well do red ones while im at it. i cant find any though. if no one has any ideas, can they recomend me some good hoses at least even if they're plain black?

Wouldn't dirt brown coolant be oil getting into the coolant reservoir? Did you do your LIMG/Headgaskets yet? And does it make a "sloshing" sound, or do you hear any hissing when you turn off your car? If so, I think it's your headgasket(s) going bad...

[Black_Mamba]

Nahh no slushing. A few people have told me its either the head gasket going, the upper/lower intake mani. gasket, or I need to bleed the system since it was never done after the coolant flush. So I'm gonna bleed it tomorrow once I get to work tomorrow. If that doesn't solve it then intake gaskets will be done next

[Thewolf]

With the LIMG, I would do the headgaskets at the same time (since you're going that far into the engine), oh and also don't forget to buy new head bolts.

[Black_Mamba]

If I Had The Money On Hand Id Say F*ck It And Swap A V8 In It Lol

[a.graham52]

i know my car makes the same noise when i shut it off. done it says day one. even after doing head gaskets and intake gaskets. havnt lost a drop of coolant. as far as your pressure is concerned if your coolants cool it wont have as much pressure built up like a hot engine would. also. check your coolant cap. if thats bad you wont build up any pressure anyways.

[Thewolf]

If I Had The Money On Hand Id Say F*ck It And Swap A V8 In It Lol

Or just sell your alero and buy a grand prix gtp :ohmy: :p

[Black_Mamba]

Its my resvoir tank itself. The sensor itself isn't corroted, but where it plugs into is. So for right now I have the coolant level sensor unplugged & the light is remaining off. Time for a new resevoir tank, nbd

[MMGT1]

Tank is real cheap now at the dealer, comes with new sensor aas well

[Black_Mamba]

At chevy?

[MMGT1]

Yea, any GM dealer will probably have it on the shelf ready to go. We keep two of them in inventory at all times....lol

[a.graham52]

even if the dealer doesnt that should be able to get one in short order..

[zzyzzx]

I can't check the coolant level while the cars hot because it has a pressure cap for the resevoir.

It's not necessary to remove the cap to check the level. Put enough light behind the reservior and you should be able to see the fluid level.

That and your driving habits exhibit a lack of maturity.

[zzyzzx]

Its my resvoir tank itself. The sensor itself isn't corroted, but where it plugs into is. So for right now I have the coolant level sensor unplugged & the light is remaining off. Time for a new resevoir tank, nbd


That's really not a bad thing to change out since htye tend to crack and go bad anyway. Just get one at the dealer (or by the ACDelco part from Rock Auto) NOT Dorman unless you like replacing it every year.

[Black_Mamba]

That and your driving habits exhibit a lack of maturity.

It has nothing to do with lack of maturity. You dont know anything about me so dont say I lack it, I know how to drive and sometimes I like to have fun. Thats my driving habit. Its not like i floor it everywhere i go.

You sound like the type of person that would be doing 20 in a 55 on the highway.

[Black_Mamba]

That's really not a bad thing to change out since htye tend to crack and go bad anyway. Just get one at the dealer (or by the ACDelco part from Rock Auto) NOT Dorman unless you like replacing it every year.

Yeah I've tried to look through it to check the coolant level but i cant see it because the inside of the resevoir isnt clear

[Black_Mamba]

Or just sell your alero and buy a grand prix gtp :ohmy: :p

my next car is gonna be a camaro. nothin like a chevy v8 :usa:

[JLw7123]

my next car is gonna be a camaro. nothin like a chevy v8 :usa:
what year camaro also if you get it are you going to have a beater for for the winter.

[Black_Mamba]

what year camaro also if you get it are you going to have a beater for for the winter.

aiming for a 93 to 02. something of that body style. and for the winter I'll still have my alero most likely. If anything major happens to the alero, I'll buy a honda and use that. those things go forever lol

But if i get the camaro, I wont register and insure it until its ready for the streets. I wanna do alot of work to it, all motor though

[JLw7123]

aiming for a 93 to 02. something of that body style. and for the winter I'll still have my alero most likely. If anything major happens to the alero, I'll buy a honda and use that. those things go forever lol

But if i get the camaro, I wont register and insure it until its ready for the streets. I wanna do alot of work to it, all motor though
i am going the opposite direction i am looking to get a subaru wrx or legacy GT. probably one of the nicest sounding 4cyl engines out there. But i will still have the alero.

[Black_Mamba]

i am going the opposite direction i am looking to get a subaru wrx or legacy GT. probably one of the nicest sounding 4cyl engines out there. But i will still have the alero.

I wanted a subi really bad, a wrx (non sti, I know people who put the same amount of money into a regular wrx as someone with an sti and the wrx is faster).. but ever since I started going to an automotive school with a bunch of kids making everything look rice and sh*ty, Ive been leaning more towards the domestic side.

Either a camaro or a 240sx and rb26 swap it. Thats my two plans for a next car I just gotta plan it out.

[JLw7123]

I wanted a subi really bad, a wrx (non sti, I know people who put the same amount of money into a regular wrx as someone with an sti and the wrx is faster).. but ever since I started going to an automotive school with a bunch of kids making everything look rice and sh*ty, Ive been leaning more towards the domestic side.

Either a camaro or a 240sx and rb26 swap it. Thats my two plans for a next car I just gotta plan it out.
i would go with the 240sx with the RB26. I like the WRX a lot but the 2005 legacy gt has the same engine as the wrx the 2.5 265hp boxer engine. ya i hate when people rice out their cars. i like a nice clean sleek car. No bodykit no huge fart can and no stickers. I am looking for a black legacy or wrx i want everything to be black even the intercooler is going to be black. also there is not many high HP legacy GT's out there. I like the sleeper look. just rims, brake upgrade and some coilovers, blackedout taillights and tint.

[Black_Mamba]

A month or two ago I saw a flat black legacy with a stock exhaust tip but it sounded beautiful I don't know what he did pipe wise. Sitting on black bbs rims, not a glossy black though, it matched the car it looked awsome.

[JLw7123]

ya i like that i will put most of my money on the engine build and the suspension. a lot of HP is not any good with a good suspension. I like to do a lot of autocross and once i get he subie rally racing.

[Black_Mamba]

I'm into auto x too. I used to like drag racing but it got boring, I mean come on.. anyone can go in a straight line. When I had my accord I used to do auto x races. I wanna do it now but the Alero is my daily & I don't wanna break anything lol.

& yeah to me, I'd take care of steering & suspension first then worry about power. If I get the camaro, that would just be a daily drive to have fun with & maybe a few auto cross races (I've seen them with air bag suspension on the rear & it handles amazing). If I get the 240 I'm going to drifting school

[JLw7123]

ya auto crossing can be rough on the car. Drifting is real fun and takes actual skill to do it right. Ya i agree drag racing is boring.

[Black_Mamba]

Yeah I know people who are willing to teach me but I dont have a car for it right now so theres no point. and yeah a week or so right before i wrecked my accord, I was auto crossing and messed up my power steering