96 Cavalier Coolant Light & Window Issue

Tiny
AMYKRAZY
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  • 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
96 Cavalier, 84,100 miles. Recently when I start my car the coolant light comes on and then goes off again. All fluids are full, nothing appears to be leaking. Also at the same time, the power windows decided to act up. They will go down but take a while to go back up, a little at a time. It seems like they are 'charging up' to get the power to go back up once I power them down. The coolant light only comes on in the morning (not that cold in CA), but sometimes when I go over a bumpy road it will come on and go off again. Ideas?
Tuesday, January 9th, 2007 AT 2:14 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
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There may be a problem with a wiring harness. I just came across one on this forum that had the pcm with water intrusion-there was a recall on it.

Usually the coolant level light is related to a bad coolant level sensor. But the fact it is simultaneous with the windows makes it more questionable.
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Tuesday, January 9th, 2007 AT 6:17 PM
Tiny
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So far, they have determined the coolant light problem was related to the stuck thermometer, I forgot to mention the car was running a little hot as well. So they replaced the therm and are still trying to figure out the window issue. They started off saying it was the motor but the windows have separate motors and are doing the same thing, with one of the motors being new, so I told them not to take the doors apart until they check the PCM and the wiring harness first based on your earlier recommendation. No word yet though. I am sure I irritated them by disagreeing with their initial diagnosis but it does not seem logical to think it's the motors when both windows are doing the same thing, and no one ever uses the passenger window! Maybe I am just crazy. Anyhow, we will see who is right eventually, or the windows will just be slow forever. (Ha ha) I guess the important part (engine) is fixed for now.
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Thursday, January 18th, 2007 AT 2:44 PM
Tiny
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I hope you told them it was at the computer. It wouldn't take to long to look. If they already determine the two are not related as it appears, let them do their job.

Did the switch on the passenger door window work, or were you just trying from the driver's switch?
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Thursday, January 18th, 2007 AT 5:05 PM
Tiny
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Well. I did not tell them the PCM was at the computer because I didn't know that. I figured they knew what that was. But I now have to take the window issue to a different place because today the place the car was at told me they were closing perm eff tomorrow, so I got my car tonight without the windows fixed. I will ask the new place to check the PCM that is near the computer when I take it in, probably next week. Thanks for your help so far. I will let them do their job by the way, I am not being mean or nasty, I just need to reconcile in my head how 2 motors of different ages can break and do the same exact thing at the same exact time. Still doesn't seem logical to me yet. ;O)
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Thursday, January 18th, 2007 AT 11:18 PM
Tiny
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No sense of "Nasty" felt here! Understanding makes all the difference in the world. What I meant on the computer was that to check the connector at the pcm and check the pcm itself for potential damage from water. The PCM stand for Power Control Module and that is the main computer for the car.

I didn't want my suggestion to cause you greif between the person working on the car and you.

Are you in a cold climate?

The window motors may be not more ironic than that you were there on their last day of operation. There some things that don't always make sense in the auto repair world. The shop I work for is dead straight honest. But we have some cars that can make use look bad. So you tell it the way it is and let the chips fall where they may. The other option of trying cover up something strange is not only dishonest, but leaves room for potential fallout.
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Friday, January 19th, 2007 AT 5:19 AM
Tiny
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Well. After the diagnosis determined both window motors were failing, I took it to Chevy. They said the same thing, it was not related to any type of PCM moisture thing. So, both window motors/ regulators are being replaced. It still seems freaky that they both failed at the same time, but what can you do? Nothing. It's just a car. Bummer thing is though that the motors and regulators come together, so even though one might be good the other part is bad and you have to replace the whole thing, which cost about $200 more per window. Thanks for all your help. Hope my experience helps someone else understand stuff that makes no sense.
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Thursday, February 1st, 2007 AT 12:41 PM

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