I keep getting a coolant message on my dig odom after driving about 100 miles. my coolant level is full. any clue
I have a 2005 Ion that had been displaying the "coolant" message for quite some time. The car runs perfectly, never overheats and the coolant bottle is always full to the "cold fill level" line when cold and slightly higher than that when hot due to the expansion of the fluid. (all completely normal) I had a strong feeling that the coolant level sensor in the coolant bottle was bad and had read about how it needed to be replaced by a tech and all but I wonderred if there was a way to defeat the sensor since I check my levels all the time anyway because the sensor was really just giving false info anyway. I couldn't find a tread involving a Saturn that talked about a solution other than having a tech charge me lots of money to replace the whole bottle. I found a way to bypass the sensor for a BMW though and thought I would try it. It worked perfectly. I plan on replacing the bottle eventually but right now money is tight and I don't need the sensor to tell me what my own eyes and my car's temperature gauge can tell me for now. Here's how you do it.
1. Unplug the sensor harness from the bottom of the coolant bottle.
2. Find a large paper clip and use needle nose plyers to make a "staple" shaped jumper that is about 1/4 inch wide (about the distance between the two contacts on the harness) and about 3/8 inch long.
3. push the jumper you just made into the end of the harness connector.
4. Start your car and ensure that the warning is no longer displaying. You can also insert the jumper while the car is running (be careful, the coolant bottle will be hot) because the harness is removed from the sensor the coolant warning should already be displayed. When you insert the jumper the message should go away imediately. The coolant level sensor has only one job and that is to tell the computer when coolant is low so you don't have to worry that you may be causing any other problems by doing this. If the coolant light doesn't go away you may have a break in the wire somwhere or a bad connection to the jumper.
5. If all works well, use electrical tape to seal up the end of the harness so moisture doesn't get in. Also it's a good idea to secure the harness to something nearby so that it doesn't flop around when you are driving.
All done. Sorry this was long but I hope that it helps someone. That warning really has been irritating me.
Keep in mind that this method does disable a key safety device that is designed (poorly) to warn you in the even of a coolant leak. Keep an eye on your temperature gauge and check your coolant level regularly. Get the bottle replaced when you can.
The paper clip works, I'm sure, but I HIGHLY recommend just using a paper clip paper clip, which is a "short". Unless you have very specific knowledge of the computer circuit, it is bad practice to "short" the across a sensor input because, depending on the processor and the "robustness" of the circuit design, this could lead to an eventual processor failure. I recommend to use a resistor with wire leads attached to it, readily found at Radio Shack. The way the sensor works, is to sense a resistance between the two electrodes in the sensor. When the sensor is immersed in 50/50 antifreeze (along with some rust and dissolved minerals to be expected in radiator fluid), it senses a finite resistance and the computer tells the "coolant" light to shut off (immediately). When the electrodes are exposed instead to air (or possibly to very pure, clean de-ionized water, not normally found in a radiator), then there is insufficient conduction and the light comes on (after about a 10-second delay). I had this problem with my Saturn "coolant" light, and did some experimenting, and found that the sensor is looking for a resistance of less than about 5K ohms to shut off the light. Therefore, I recommend to use a resistor of between 1K ohms to 2.2K ohms, such as 2.2K ohm Radio Shack part # 271-1121. The resistor leads fit into the connector sockets nicely. Yes, definitely do tape things over and secure the loose connector.
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I have been having the same problem in my ion. Make sure your car is completely cool and check the level, you may have to add just a little bit of coolant so the message will go away. Mine went off today and was barely low, but it fixed the issue when I added some.
Dealer tech noted coolant slightly low, topped off no visable leaks, no codes with OBD2. Suggested that if light continues to come on/off will need coolant bottle installed. Other mechanic suggested it might be a bad sensor that makes light go on and off.
Do I just keep putting in coolant fluid and let it go or replace?
Any suggestions.
Sewdepop
I'm also having this issue, and I have taken the care to Les Schwab and another place and my mechanic, everything checks out fine, all te fluids are good but still get the message and when I look at the temo gage it hasn't moved at all
Try geting the computer reset
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my warning goes on after about a half mile and then goes off
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l have 2003 Saturn Ion is said coolant come on and everthink is top up. l was would it l can't fix it my self. but only think my owen manual is french so l can read it . thank
I have same problems. Started at 35k and continued to get worse. It must be a sensor or computer issue.
I have the same problem. I've been complaining about the coolant light coming on since 35k+ miles and they have done and tried everything and now afer an additional 60K miles they are replacing the whole engine and charging me for it to boot! I'll never buy another Saturn this has been ridiculous!
I have 2007 Saturn ion that has 116000 miles on it some time my tank runs empty but the engine never runs hot what's goin on with it and it says coolant on the dash thanks
I have 2007 Saturn ion that has 116000 miles on it some time my tank runs empty but the engine never runs hot what's goin on with it and it says coolant on the dash thanks
My son has a 2003 Saturn Ion 2 with 80000 miles on it. The coolant message just started coming on a couple of weeks ago. I changed the tank and the plug. I spliced in a new end. Filled up overflow tank to line. Message still on dash. What am I missing? Any help is appreciated
Thanks Tom B
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