Get a back flush kit from an auto parts store. You cut the heater hose that does NOT have the water valve in it. The kit has all the parts you need to accomplish it Once installed you connect a garden hose to it, take off the radiator cap and turn on the water. A lot of rust will come out. Now start the engine and turn on the heater to its hottest setting. It will take some time for the engine water to warm up , but the heater core will flush when you do this. After the water clears, put new antifreeze in the radiator , put the cap on the garden hose fitting and you're done. Run the engine until it opens the thermostat and add water if necessary.
SOURCE: 03 saturn ion coolant message
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.
SOURCE: have 2004 saturn ion. coolant light stays on all
LOW LEVEL COOLANT SENSOR BAD OR EITHER WIRE CONNECTOR TO SENSOR IS LOOSE OR HAS A SHORT IN IT.
SOURCE: The word "coolant' comes on on the odometer screen
Check the collant level in the coolant bottle. If low add coolant. If it is O.K, then you must have a bad coolant level sensor. It is located inside the bottle and is not serviceable, so you need another Coolant Bootle, and it cost about $60. Before replacing, I would try to remoce the coolant bottle and give it a good cleaning with hot water. You can replace it witha new one, or try the luck in a junk yard.
SOURCE: I drive a saturn ion 2005 and the coolant light
it has a coolant sensor in the reservor on the bottom maybe bad you can unhook it hook it back up still on replace it.
336 views
Usually answered in minutes!
×