Radiator light on, mechanic said could be a bad harness coming from reservoir?

[tmoneyballin]

So as stated with the crossover thread, my local shop was able to repair the crossover pipe and it seems to be functioning properly, the only problem is when I pulled out of the shop the radiator light came on. I went back and the tech that worked on it covered his ass nicely and said "I just messed around with this pipe and the only thing I can tell you is the harness that comes out of top of the coolant reservoir on the drivers side can go bad sometimes" and to his knowledge the only way to fix it is to replace the entire reservoir.

The light wasn't any issue before and would come on every two weeks when my coolant would drop a few inches in the reservoir(again it was due to the poorly diagnosed leak that two radiator shops couldn't find...) I just want the light functioning again so I know when I am low on coolant - which hopefully isn't too frequent!


Let me know what you guys think, I reset the computer by disconnecting the battery he and the light is off now, but I am sure with my luck they already did that, I would assume, and it will come back on...I'll be honest their was some coolant that spilled out of the reservoir when it first overheated before the shop - could this fry that harness?



Advice is much appreciated~ Thanks!

 

[mustanggt3685]

I believe that there is a sensor of sorts in the reservoir that will trip the light into coming on. It should be right below the cap on the long plastic piece. Not sure about having to replace the whole reservoir though? Unless the sensor is "built into" the plastic stick, you should be able to take it out and replace it.

 

[thomas91169]

its probably the sensor itself. i havent looked but on my 91 gsx, theres a sensor under the reservoir, well i thought that tank was the overflow and never filled it, so naturally the light came on. felt like an idiot after learning thats the reserve tank.

 

[tmoneyballin]

I believe that there is a sensor of sorts in the reservoir that will trip the light into coming on. It should be right below the cap on the long plastic piece. Not sure about having to replace the whole reservoir though? Unless the sensor is "built into" the plastic stick, you should be able to take it out and replace it.

This would be the part I am talking about...does anybody know what the part number is, or even what its called, for this or if it can even been replaced without a new reservoir? The light didn't come back on this morning on the way to work - but again, over the next few cranks, we will see what time has in store for this potential malfunction. It'd still like to know if it comes up in the future!

Thanks

 

[MyStangGT]

The sensor actually detects antifreeze content, not just level. If you topped up the reservoir with water it will still have the light on.

I wish it just measured the level in the tank because I don't run antifreeze in my track car so the light stays on. I have tried unplugging and bridging the contacts on the plug and nothing has turned it off except plugging it up and filling with antifreeze.

 

[Jinx]

Just a quick note..

Did you clean the contacts on the sensor yet? Some times on the older 94-95 models the contacts of the sensors would get slightly corroded and not transmit signal. Try cleaning first and make sure your AF to water ratio is correct. Also check any fuses that may be on that circuit.

good luck.

 

[tmoneyballin]

Just an update, I hate to say it but the guys probably just didn't reset the battery! I have driven it a good 50 miles since I reset the computer and it hasn't come on since! Thanks for the input guys - I am just glad that this is MOST LIKELY behind me now!

 

[aufan1]

When this happened to me, I was unable to locate a sensor and had to replace the degas bottle.

 

[tmoneyballin]

Good to know, hope it doesn't come back!