The coolant light is coming on, but the gauge is not reading hot. It's actually reading low. Earlier today i first saw the light come on, and i pulled over to check and see if it was hot above the hood by the radiator and everything and it was very cold. I then drove away and the light went off. The light didnt come back on all day. Then the car sat for about 6 hours and i decided i was going out this evening and i noticed the light had come on again. I drove the exact same place earlier and stopped and checked it again. It still wasn't hot but the light didnt go off this time so i turned around and went home. The light is still on. The light is scarring me. What could be wrong?
2007-02-02 10:46:00 · 7 answers · asked by samantha h 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
There is no smell coming from the car its running the same as always, and i haven't seen anything drip from it. The starter went out and was just replaced 2 days ago.
2007-02-02 11:16:05 · update #1
check the overflow reservoir. it might be low on coolant. or the sensor is bad......
2007-02-02 10:53:07 · answer #1 · answered by Winter is here !!! 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a Ford Escort and had heating problems too.
The Ford Escort has an Aluminum head. So if it gets hot, you better stop within 100 ft. They are not forgiving cars.
Now what has happened is that their is a coolant reservoir bottle where you are supposed to keep water with coolant in this. What happens if the radiator overflows, this is where the coolant would go to. Then if you were low on water, then the hot water would suck up the water in the coolant reservoir bottle.
Your coolant light is just telling you that your coolant bottle is low or empty. Just raise the hood and on the left side you will see a opaque water container with the word coolant on top or on the side. You are supposed to put coolant in but if because of a temporary influx of monetary means, you can just put water to the indicated line. Make sure to check the vehicle after you have ran it for leaking water anywhere.
Also after you drive it for some time and stop you should have the twin fans on. Also when the car has been driven for say 10 minutes and you pop the hood, are the fans on? They are governed by a temperature switch. and they are additional means to cool down the small radiator.
You can trust your temperature Gage, but if it rises due to lack of water, you have to shut the car down NOW. Don't try to drive it that extra half mile.
Suggestion. IF you plan to keep the car long, go to an automotive parts store and buy a Hanes Book. Call one and ask the price and then check the Internet for which is cheaper. Anymore problems, just holler.
2007-02-02 11:03:25 · answer #2 · answered by Big C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The coolant-temp sensor could be bad. Also the coolant level sensor could be bad. Sometimes these 2 sonsors are one sensor with 3 wires on it located in the intake manifold or cilender head. Could also be a bad thermostat causing the guage to read low, or an intake manifold, or head gasket leak causing coolant to be sucked into the combustion process. Do you see massive amounts of smoke or smell anything while driving. This info will help out a competent machanic.
2007-02-02 10:51:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
it is your heat sensor temp light regulator transmitter switch, 1, change your temperature gage, then on the hose that goes from the top of the radiator to the water jacket on your engine you have another switch there in which this sounds like, it will give a certain reading to the computer and be faulty is fairly common , if you have a auto-zone or pepeboys near you go there and they can chck it at no cost and tell you which one you do need
2007-02-02 11:03:32 · answer #4 · answered by kustomflames@verizon.net 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is it the temperature light or low coolant light ? Check the fluid level in the radiator and the recovery tank , when it is cold. if they are ok then you have a bad sending unit or a loose wire on the sender probably.
2007-02-02 10:51:33 · answer #5 · answered by huntnyou 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
frist my question is what kind of motor is in that car?
if it's the 4Cyl 2.2L motor
try this
replace the coolant-temp sensor or the fan relay switch
i had this happen to my Dodge Omni and
it was the coolant-temp sensor
good luck
2007-02-02 11:09:46 · answer #6 · answered by davedebo198305 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would check the oil and water levels, this can sometimes create a false reading. Ive had this problem myself.
2007-02-02 10:53:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋