[sparkychic]

I've been having problems lately with my low coolant light coming on a lot. I keep checking the coolant level but it's never low enough that the light should be coming on. I had a new radiator put in back in July and it hasn't been giving me any problems until the light started coming on/going off.
So I guess my question is.......
Is there some kind of problem there that I just can't figure out without having a mechanic look at it, or is my car just getting senile??

 

[baby sho]

coolant sensor bad...happens all the time. You will probbaly have to replace the whole tank.

Brad

 

[Mantioch]

Yup. Mine has been doing it for a very long time, now. Especially during a hard turn or acceleration, or parking on a slope. Its annoying, but to replace the whole tank is a bit expensive for a little light.

 

[mykej27]

I had the same problem. You can either replace the sensor or use a resistor to bypass it. Or you can do what I did and just put black tape behind the idiot light, that way when the alert pops up, you'll hear the alarm, but you won't see that annoying light.

 

[mwt]

on my GenIV it came on. I called the dealer and they quoted me some ridiculous price I did not want to pony up for. I just disconnected it. No more light.

Of course if the coolant was low I wouldn't notice it.

 

[sparkychic]

Originally posted by mykej27@Jan 5 2004, 12:52 PM
I had the same problem. You can either replace the sensor or use a resistor to bypass it. Or you can do what I did and just put black tape behind the idiot light, that way when the alert pops up, you'll hear the alarm, but you won't see that annoying light.

I guess I'll just deal with it and let it become part of the array of other lights that are always on......such as the check engine light that never goes out, the air bag light that flashes on/off constantly and the door ajar light that never goes out.....


Why is my car such a POS??????

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by sparkychic+Jan 5 2004, 02:00 PM-->QUOTE (sparkychic @ Jan 5 2004, 02:00 PM)

<!--QuoteBegin-mykej27

@Jan 5 2004, 12:52 PM
I had the same problem. You can either replace the sensor or use a resistor to bypass it. Or you can do what I did and just put black tape behind the idiot light, that way when the alert pops up, you'll hear the alarm, but you won't see that annoying light.

I guess I'll just deal with it and let it become part of the array of other lights that are always on......such as the check engine light that never goes out, the air bag light that flashes on/off constantly and the door ajar light that never goes out.....


Why is my car such a POS??????

[/b]

Because you won't bring it to RI to get fixed.

 

[mykej27]

Yeah, it sounds like you may have something more seriously wrong with your car and it's time to get some work done. Otherwise, one day you will be without a car because you kept ignoring your warning lights.

I would at least have someone check the codes to make sure it's nothing serious. Sometimes, diagnostic checks are free. Just call around. Check your local Napa Autoparts. They always know what local shops are running free check ups.

 

[jedhead]

I usually pull the sensor out and clean it. I haven't had to replace mine on the 1991 SHO.

Bob

 

[sparkychic]

Originally posted by Bob Gervais+Jan 5 2004, 06:13 PM-->QUOTE (Bob Gervais @ Jan 5 2004, 06:13 PM)

Originally posted by [email protected] 5 2004, 02:00 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-mykej27

@Jan 5 2004, 12:52 PM
I had the same problem. You can either replace the sensor or use a resistor to bypass it. Or you can do what I did and just put black tape behind the idiot light, that way when the alert pops up, you'll hear the alarm, but you won't see that annoying light.

I guess I'll just deal with it and let it become part of the array of other lights that are always on......such as the check engine light that never goes out, the air bag light that flashes on/off constantly and the door ajar light that never goes out.....


Why is my car such a POS??????

Because you won't bring it to RI to get fixed.

[/b]

After I got done telling you all that was wrong with it, you told me to get a new car.....damn it!

 

[Guest]

I was sort of kidding. It all depends on how much money you want to throw at it. They're all simple problems, but add up after a while.

Anywho, fix it or burn it I always say.

 

[Tman]

bob you think it might be a water pump since they good bad all the timein sho's?....and bob fix her car up right cause i maybe purchasing it in the very new future

 

[sfblacksel]

I don't think there is a sensor on the water pump, just the tank. Can't you take off the cap to the coolant and see if the mixture is flowing through the tank? I don't know about the Taurus, but in my Grand Am I used to do that when I had a radiator leaking oil into the cooant. LOL. Anyways, I am sure you can find a cheap tank in a junk yard and it is cake to change.

 

[Rockledge]

Originally posted by sparkychic@Jan 5 2004, 11:29 AM
I've been having problems lately with my low coolant light coming on a lot. I keep checking the coolant level but it's never low enough that the light should be coming on. I had a new radiator put in back in July and it hasn't been giving me any problems until the light started coming on/going off.
So I guess my question is.......
Is there some kind of problem there that I just can't figure out without having a mechanic look at it, or is my car just getting senile??

That looks like a Gen II SHO in your signature. The low coolant sensor on my '94 SHO is located inside the overflow reservoir tank (the "bottle"). It's attached to the cover and extends into the bottle about 12" or so. At the end are two metal contacts.

Unplug the electrical connector on the reservoir cover and then take the cover off. Clean the metal contacts with electrical contact cleaner and some emery cloth or a fine wire brush. You should also flush out the bottle to get all of the crud out, especially the stuff that collects on the bottom.

Button it back up, fill the tank with 50/50 mix to the proper level, and you should be good to go.

 

[sparkychic]

Originally posted by Bob Gervais@Jan 5 2004, 10:07 PM
I was sort of kidding. It all depends on how much money you want to throw at it. They're all simple problems, but add up after a while.

Anywho, fix it or burn it I always say.

They may all be simple problems but not once does the term CHEAP make it into the equation......why is that?

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by sparkychic+Jan 6 2004, 04:51 PM-->QUOTE (sparkychic @ Jan 6 2004, 04:51 PM)

<!--QuoteBegin-Bob Gervais

@Jan 5 2004, 10:07 PM
I was sort of kidding.  It all depends on how much money you want to throw at it.  They're all simple problems, but add up after a while.

Anywho, fix it or burn it I always say.

They may all be simple problems but not once does the term CHEAP make it into the equation......why is that? [/b]

Because it's a SHO.

Seriously though, make a list of what's wrong and send it to me. I'll put together a price for parts (nobody will get SHO parts cheaper) and get it back to you.

 

[sparkychic]

Originally posted by Bob Gervais+Jan 6 2004, 05:16 PM-->QUOTE (Bob Gervais @ Jan 6 2004, 05:16 PM)

Originally posted by [email protected] 6 2004, 04:51 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-Bob Gervais

@Jan 5 2004, 10:07 PM
I was sort of kidding.  It all depends on how much money you want to throw at it.  They're all simple problems, but add up after a while.

Anywho, fix it or burn it I always say.

They may all be simple problems but not once does the term CHEAP make it into the equation......why is that?

Because it's a SHO.

Seriously though, make a list of what's wrong and send it to me. I'll put together a price for parts (nobody will get SHO parts cheaper) and get it back to you. [/b]

A list huh.......ok, here goes.....

brakes
rotars
struts
if the car has shocks then I need those too
the rear passenger wheel has a frozen caliper
I still have a slight tranny leak
my low coolant light keeps coming on
tires
the seal on my moonroof/sunroof needs fixing/replacing

oh, and I could use an oil change

That's the list of immediate things I can think of.

 

[rocketfast321]

the joys of owning a sho

On my grand am 2001
Driver window needs fixing
two new tires
a oil change
New coolant fill cap
New battery

 

[Twilight]

Originally posted by sparkychic@Jan 5 2004, 02:00 PM
Why is my car such a POS??????

"Low coolant" can also mean that you are not cool enough to drive that car. Proceed to Honda dealer immediately.

 

[sparkychic]

Originally posted by Twilight+Jan 7 2004, 01:07 AM-->QUOTE (Twilight @ Jan 7 2004, 01:07 AM)

<!--QuoteBegin-sparkychic

@Jan 5 2004, 02:00 PM
Why is my car such a POS??????

"Low coolant" can also mean that you are not cool enough to drive that car. Proceed to Honda dealer immediately.

[/b]

HA! My car isn't cool enough for ME!!

Oh, and I better add sparky plugs to that list.....it's probably time to replace those again too.