Low coolant indicator light

[PAULIE B]

HEY! WENT FOR A RIDE THE OTHER DAY AND THE LOW COOLANT INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. CHECKED COOLANT AND ADDED LITTLE NOT MUCH. IS HERE SOMETHING ELSE I SHUOLD BE LOOKING FOR OR WATCHING FOR? ALSO CHANGED THE OIL CAP SEEMED LOOSE IS THIS NORMAL? BOUGHT ONE AT THE LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE. IT LOOKS LIKE ONE THAT SHOULD BE ON AN OLDER VETTE. AND ALSO CHANGED THE PCV VALVE IS THAT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE CHANGED REGULAR? ;help )

 

[surfer93]

Where did you check the coolant?
take the pressure cap off and look inside, if the cap is not holding pressure, the system can't pull coolant out of the resevoir.

PCV should last 25-30k miles, simple test is to disconnect it and shake, if you here a rattle it is most likely ok. While disconnected and engine running, you should feel a fairly strong suction from the intake opening.

Oil caps should be tight and after putting it on, then push down. Remember to pull up on it before you try to take it back off.

 

[vetteoz]

The coolant light circuit goes to ground through the water in the radiator; obviously when coolant is low this does not happen ( circuit is broken ) and the light comes on.

So the same would happen if the wiring was bad or loose connection, etc
Check the coolant sensor in the radiator; sometimes the terminal needs cleaning to get a good connection, also check for bad connection on the spade terminal

 

[jrzvette]

Have you changed the coolant recently? They system has to be burped to remove all the air pockets. The system may look full when cool but as the car warms up the air pockets will rise to the expansion tank near the passenger side firewall. Check your owners manual for the proper procedure.