Check Coolant Light

lance_kidd · 10-03-2009, 05:12 AM

I have a 01 Pontiac Grand Prix. About four or five months ago the Pontiac Dealership, which has since closed down, replaced the intake manifold gaskets and hoses and whatever the hell it was cost me $900 cause it was leaking coolant, which is a common problem for this model.

But anyways, about four months ago the coolant light come on and won't go off. I've kept an eye on it since then and the coolant isn't leaking or low at all. Is there a simple way to get the light off and is this something that the dealership could have done (I don't see how but want to make sure) and might repair for free if it is there fault.

The light wasn't on when they fixed the problem but it come on after about two weeks and hasn't went off since.

Airjer_ · 10-03-2009, 10:33 AM

That sensor is located in the side tank of the radiator. It will look like this

You can try tapping it with the handle of a screwdriver lightly to see if there is an air pocket stuck in it. Also make sure the radiator is full and not just the overflow.

tblake · 10-03-2009, 11:11 PM

Yeah there is an easy way to get it to shut off..... unplug it.

lance_kidd · 10-04-2009, 02:41 AM

I haven't had the chance to tap it with a screwdriver yet, but if I can't get it off:

1. Is it easy to unplug?

2. Is it something I can replace on my own with removing the radiator since it's inside of it?

Thanks

valente · 10-04-2009, 07:43 AM

I think Airjer said "on the side"not inside the radiator

Airjer_ · 10-04-2009, 01:35 PM

Its easy to unplug and its easy to remove. It is on the outside of the radiator.

lance_kidd · 10-07-2009, 12:43 AM

Tried the screwdriver tap but it didn't work. The radiator was full to the top, so since the intake gaskets have been replaced, I'm not concerned about it leaking, so I unplugged it.

Thanks for the help with that. If I decided to replaced that thing one day, any idea on how much it cost? It shouldn't be that hard to put a new one on.

Thanks again,
Chris

Airjer_ · 10-07-2009, 09:37 AM

$60 ruffly

00GTP4ME · 10-07-2009, 06:00 PM

I replaced mine a year or two ago. $60 sounds right. Probably took 15 minutes or so. The only tool I used was needle-nose pliars for the spring retainer. It's a little tight, but not bad.

doctorhrdware · 10-08-2009, 02:35 AM

If want to make it easier to get to the sensor, just remove the battery.

Marnav1 · 10-11-2009, 12:22 PM

Can't you just pop out the headlight assy?

doctorhrdware · 10-11-2009, 01:36 PM

I did not check that out, but it is worth a shot to try it.

Brent S · 10-12-2009, 02:23 PM

I was successful in cleaning the typical brown sludge out of my coolant sensor, by bending a wire hanger in just the right way, and poking it around (into the sensor) through the radiator filler neck. If you can knock the sludge off the little electrode, it should work again. This way, you don't even have to drain coolant.

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