Low coolant light

Tiny
ANDREW LAWRENCE
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 BUICK CENTURY
The low coolant light remains on. The coolant reservoir is full and the radiator is full. Where is the low coolant sensor located? I looked to see if it was located at the reservoir but I can't find it. The light is a big pain.
Friday, February 20th, 2009 AT 9:23 AM

33 Replies

Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
Hello,

the coolant level sensor is in the reservoir here is a video on how to change it on a similar car with a diagrams below to show you on your car.

https://youtu.be/4K-OifIw0cM

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers
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Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 AT 12:28 AM
Tiny
RONOMURRAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 BUICK CENTURY
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
Why does my low coolant light come on after I have been driving awhile. There is no leaks and coolant reservoir is full.
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It could be a short in wire that is hitting something or the coolant level sensor may be bad.
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CORLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 10,800 MILES
Low Cooland Warning Light comes on after startup, usually goes out after driving 3 miles, but lately coming on after I have been driving ten or so miles. (Engine is warm).

Have had the sensors replaced three times by BUICK dealership, new water pump, and radiator flushed at about 100,000 miles.

Now it is doing it again. Coolant level and water level is fine. No leakage noticeable.

What is the problem. I have already spent a good deal of money on this problem.
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CRZYDRVR
  • MEMBER
  • 432 POSTS
Take it back to the dealer. I wouldn't pay them to not fix my problem. Simple, you paid them, they need to fix. Take it back to them and insist it be done at their expense. After all you already paid them.
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RANGER812572
  • MEMBER
  • 52 POSTS
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 187,550 MILES
I have only had this car about a week. Even during the test drive, the low coolant light would flash on and off. I also noticed that the car heats up a bit more than it should. Up to the half way mark or just a hair over. I have replaced the radiator cap (seals were deteriorated). The hoses (even when the car is running) don't seem like they are fully pressurized. Is it possible I have a bad water pump, and if so, could that cause my low coolant light to illuminate due to the lack of pressurized flow through the system? The car does run a bit rough now and again, and is sometimes hard to start. But the coolant level and overflow reservoir are full to their specified levels.
There is no coolant in the oil, and I am not smelling any through the exhaust.
Please help! Thank you.
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TY ANDERSON
  • MECHANIC
  • 719 POSTS
I would suspect the level indicator is causing the light to come on. The engine coolant level indicator in located on the passenger side of radiator and the only fix is replacement.
Theses engines have a history of having lower intake gasket leaking.
As for testing, special tools are needed to pressure test the cooling system for leaks or the radiator cap to ensure the system is sealed so the system can maintain operating temperature (which also raises the boiling point in a sealed system).
Make sure nothing is blocking the radiator restricting air flow.
Start with the level indicator sensor my resource calls it a "engine coolant level indicator module".
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NAPAMANGO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
Low coolant light on with high coolant level, engine temperature shows increasing fast even just drive for 1 mile

does the car have serious coolant leak or something? Thank you!
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If you don't have an actual leak and the temperature gauge going to the danger zone-find the thermostat and replace it, then comeback for more when needed
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HLEONARD11
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 220,000 MILES
The low coolant light comes on and goes off. The resorvoir is full. I do not see any leaks under the car. The engine temp is cool.
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TOOOMANYTOYS
  • MECHANIC
  • 513 POSTS
I would check the low coolant level sensor. Sometimes if the light is on you can tap the sensor. If the light goes out you need to change the sensor.
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HLEONARD11
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Can you tell me where it is located
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TOOOMANYTOYS
  • MECHANIC
  • 513 POSTS
It is located on the radiator just below the filler neck. Should have a three wire connector and its cliped on the radiator
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GLENN H. GREEN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 BUICK CENTURY
Engine Cooling problem
2001 Buick Century 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 94, ooo miles

You answered my question about the "poop" in the
cooling sustem, but what I'm really concerned is the
Low coolant light will not go off even when driving
after good warmup. The system is not low on water.
It does not overheat even in this texas heat. Would the light go off if the system was flushed as you suggested
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,852 POSTS
The low coolant light sensor is in the right side radiator tank. Check out the images (below). Let us know if you need anything else.
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HOFI8
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have the same problem, I drove with anti-leak (or as you call it "poop") for 6 months without knowing that it was there, I belive it messed up my sensor and now the light wont stop flashing. I did get everythnig flushed and nicely cleaned though. After that I just ignore it.
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RYRAIDER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2001 BUICK CENTURY
Low coolant light keeps turning on and off when driving! But car is not overheating
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Maybe sensor is bad? You could just ignore it?
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Don't confuse the low coolant light with an overheating light. They are not the same. Make sure the radiator itself is not low on coolant.
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SUSANFM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
My low coolant light comes off and on but I have coolant in there the car is not heating up. I had the radiator flushed about 6 months ago and the water pump changed 2 weeks after that. My air conditioner heater does not work so my mechanic fixed it so that cold air would not come out right now in the winter. Hot air does come out a little sometimes even if the heater is not turned on. The car gauge is not showing that the car is heating up. I just 3 days ago had the coolant sensor changed 2 days no light but now the light came back on. The mechanic showed me that there was a little thick goo in the sensor. What to do now
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)

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