low coolant light

[legalize420]

my radiator cracked about 2 months ago and it was replaced along with the lower hose. today when i started my car the low coolant light came on. i checked the radiator and it was filled all the way to the cap. could it just be a sensor. where is the low coolant sensor, in the rad or the overflow? any suggestions, thanks

 

[BlackGT89]

The sensor is in the overflow. You can take it apart and clean the gunk off and it might start working again, but chances are it's bad. I suppose they can be tested and if so hopefully someone will speak up on the procedure. They are known for going bad. I just disconneted mine years ago and didn't check on a replacement, even though I'd rather have it in working order if they are still available and easy to obtain.

 

[srothfuss]

You might beable to find them at 5.0 Resto. The sensors go bad after all the gunk sits in the overflow bottle for 15+ years.

EDIT: Here you go... New overflow bottles from 5.0 Resto: Bottle Link

New Sensor for your overflow tank from 5.0 Resto: Sensor Link

 

[harley02]

Or, you can go to Canton and get the new polished 94-95 overflow tank.

 

[legalize420]

i went home for lunch and when i got in the car the light was on. within ten minutes it went off and has not been back. i guess i will wait and see what happens. thanks for the ideas.

 

[Jeff7477]

Is there coolant in the overflow? Coolant is probably expanding as the car warms and is going into the overflow tank and turning the light off. Make sure the overflow is at the proper level.

 

[HISSIN50]

I would not wait, nor depend on the light. Good points were raised above. Do be sure the reservoir is full to the applicable marking on the overflow bottle (your 95 has a hot and cold level notation). Just because the rad is full does not mean the overflow (where the sensor is) is full.

And the point about the sensor being dirty was a good one. Esp if the overflow has been run down and there is crud in the bottom. It takes a couple mins to clean it up so the contacts conduct again. Otherwise if crud sloshes between the prongs, the light can go on and off.

Good luck.

 

[vristang]

I don't know how often the sensor actually goes bad, but mine is the original from 90 as far as I can tell. Every couple of years though I need to clean the contacts.


:OT: I went to Ford for the low coolant light once and the lead tech there told me the sensor was bad and had to be replaced. They didn't have it in stock so they asked me to come back later. I got home and cleaned the sensor and it worked great. Just one more reason I will never go back to the dealership. They should have known to at least try this, instead of going for the sale.

 

[legalize420]

thanks everyone. i could not really tell if the overflow was total empty. i filled it to the propper mark.