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Low coolant warning, but it's full



 
 
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  #1  
Old April 4th 11, 01:59 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.saturn
Doug Miller[_1_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 262
Default Low coolant warning, but it's full

99 SL2, 130,000 miles. A week ago, the upper radiator hose burst. I drained
the cooling system, replaced both hoses, and refilled the system. Two or three
days later, the low coolant warning began flashing. Checked the coolant level
-- sure enough, it's low. Topped it off (about a pint). Two days later, the
warning is *still* flashing, even though the system is filled all the way to
the "Max Cold" mark on the tank. What gives?

One more oddity: the low-coolant warning did *not* flash when the hose burst,
despite dumping about half of the system on the street.
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  #2  
Old April 5th 11, 03:12 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.saturn
Oppie[_7_]
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Posts: 175
Default Low coolant warning, but it's full

I had to replace the coolant tank in the '01 lw300 last year because of a
broken float switch. The float caries a magnet that actuates the fixed reed
switch in the tank. Been fine since.

You might have had to add fluid because all the air was not purged from the
high points of the system. Eventually the air works its way out and the
fluid level will accordingly drop. In cases where there is still trapped
air, the coolant level may drop as pressure increases... causing a low
coolant level.

Given your last entry about the low coolant warning did not flash... I would
strongly suspect the coolant level float switch is stuck, as was mine.

btw- disconnecting the float switch will turn the indicator ON.


"Doug Miller" > wrote in message
...
> 99 SL2, 130,000 miles. A week ago, the upper radiator hose burst. I
> drained
> the cooling system, replaced both hoses, and refilled the system. Two or
> three
> days later, the low coolant warning began flashing. Checked the coolant
> level
> -- sure enough, it's low. Topped it off (about a pint). Two days later,
> the
> warning is *still* flashing, even though the system is filled all the way
> to
> the "Max Cold" mark on the tank. What gives?
>
> One more oddity: the low-coolant warning did *not* flash when the hose
> burst,
> despite dumping about half of the system on the street.
>

  #3  
Old April 5th 11, 07:53 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.saturn
Doug Miller[_1_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 262
Default Low coolant warning, but it's full

In article >, "Oppie" > wrote:
>I had to replace the coolant tank in the '01 lw300 last year because of a
>broken float switch. The float caries a magnet that actuates the fixed reed
>switch in the tank. Been fine since.
>
>You might have had to add fluid because all the air was not purged from the
>high points of the system.


Right, I'm sure that's why it dropped after the repair.

>Eventually the air works its way out and the
>fluid level will accordingly drop. In cases where there is still trapped
>air, the coolant level may drop as pressure increases... causing a low
>coolant level.


Ahhh, hadn't thought about that. After a week, though -- including a weekend
trip out of state -- I would think that any trapped air should have worked its
way back to the tank by now. I've driven the car about 300 miles since topping
off the tank, and about 400 since the repair.

>Given your last entry about the low coolant warning did not flash... I would
>strongly suspect the coolant level float switch is stuck, as was mine.


Is there any way to free a stuck switch? Or do I have to replace the tank?
>
>btw- disconnecting the float switch will turn the indicator ON.


Hmmm... I guess that's another thing to check: if the connector somehow came
loose.
>
>
>"Doug Miller" > wrote in message
...
>> 99 SL2, 130,000 miles. A week ago, the upper radiator hose burst. I drained
>> the cooling system, replaced both hoses, and refilled the system. Two or three
>> days later, the low coolant warning began flashing. Checked the coolant level
>> -- sure enough, it's low. Topped it off (about a pint). Two days later, the
>> warning is *still* flashing, even though the system is filled all the way to
>> the "Max Cold" mark on the tank. What gives?
>>
>> One more oddity: the low-coolant warning did *not* flash when the hose burst,
>> despite dumping about half of the system on the street.

  #4  
Old April 5th 11, 09:31 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.saturn
Oppie[_7_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 175
Default Low coolant warning, but it's full

I have a buddy with a repair shop that gets me parts at his cost. Tank for
the lw300 cost me $65. Can't say for sure on your car but the switches are
generally molded into the tank and can not be replaced separately.

"Doug Miller" > wrote in message
...
> In article >, "Oppie" >
> wrote:
>>I had to replace the coolant tank in the '01 lw300 last year because of a
>>broken float switch. The float caries a magnet that actuates the fixed
>>reed
>>switch in the tank. Been fine since.
>>
>>You might have had to add fluid because all the air was not purged from
>>the
>>high points of the system.

>
> Right, I'm sure that's why it dropped after the repair.
>
>>Eventually the air works its way out and the
>>fluid level will accordingly drop. In cases where there is still trapped
>>air, the coolant level may drop as pressure increases... causing a low
>>coolant level.

>
> Ahhh, hadn't thought about that. After a week, though -- including a
> weekend
> trip out of state -- I would think that any trapped air should have worked
> its
> way back to the tank by now. I've driven the car about 300 miles since
> topping
> off the tank, and about 400 since the repair.
>
>>Given your last entry about the low coolant warning did not flash... I
>>would
>>strongly suspect the coolant level float switch is stuck, as was mine.

>
> Is there any way to free a stuck switch? Or do I have to replace the tank?
>>
>>btw- disconnecting the float switch will turn the indicator ON.

>
> Hmmm... I guess that's another thing to check: if the connector somehow
> came
> loose.
>>
>>
>>"Doug Miller" > wrote in message
...
>>> 99 SL2, 130,000 miles. A week ago, the upper radiator hose burst. I
>>> drained
>>> the cooling system, replaced both hoses, and refilled the system. Two or
>>> three
>>> days later, the low coolant warning began flashing. Checked the coolant
>>> level
>>> -- sure enough, it's low. Topped it off (about a pint). Two days later,
>>> the
>>> warning is *still* flashing, even though the system is filled all the
>>> way to
>>> the "Max Cold" mark on the tank. What gives?
>>>
>>> One more oddity: the low-coolant warning did *not* flash when the hose
>>> burst,
>>> despite dumping about half of the system on the street.

>

 




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