So this stupid light keeps turning on in the dash, it goes on, then off, then i go up a hill, then it goes on, then i go up another hill it goes off, then down a hill- on, up a hill- off. You get the picture.

Now normally my intelligence as a mechanic would just say, engine temp = normal, coolant = full. But its a rotary and i have no experience with them, so i panic. There is also a faint coolant smell, possibly burning?

Any help guys? Suggestions, ideas?
Would be appreciated, thanks.

 

Its most likely air in the coolent line, it likes to get air pockets around where that sensor is. The sensor grounds itself through the coolent to light up and buzz (correct me if im wrong others...) So what you might look around for an air pocket or use the bleed screw on the side of the radiator when your filling it up.

What you are smelling if you think its coolent it could very well be a little burning. Depending on your milage well... what can happen is when the car is cold theres some cracks that let coolent slip by, but as the car warms up it expands those seals and closes the cracks/leak which would let the smell die down a bit at normal temperatures...

 

No, your right..

Try bleeding your coolant system, and topping off.

 

Hmm, thanks for the tip. My other concern is that it could be a electrical problem, harmless but annoying. As far as the seals go, the engine was supposebly rebuilt about 9k miles ago so hopefully they did a good job on em.

Another interesting thing is that i cant seem to get the climate control to give me heat. Another sympton of bad thermostat, but usually would go hand in hand with overheating.

But since im not, i can only assume its either the heater element, or wiring to the heater element. And now i worry that there could be something bad in the harness and something is grounded, or grounding as it gets moved around and thats also why my add coolant light comes on.

Thoughts on that?

 

Firstly, go to www.iluvmyrx7.com and download the Factory Service Manual in PDF format for free. This has all the info you need on servicing and fixing these cars.

The Cooling System chapter has the correct procedure for removing air from the system while filling it. The Body Electrical chapter has instructions for testing the warning systems if you think the problem is electrical.

Also note that the ADD CCOLANT warning detects the radiator level, not the overflow bottle, so check that too.

The heating problem is most likely cold solder joints in the Logicon (HVAC control panel), and is not related to the warning light. The heat comes from the coolant, so there's no heater element. Most likely the heater valve isn't getting the correct signal. If you use the search function you'll find lots of info on this problem.

 

Ah excellent, thanks for the info.

 

Alright so i ran a search on the logicon and it seems like this could be the problem.

Only difference is, or that i have not been able to confirm is that all my switches work, fans kick in, and air blows out, but the air never heats up. Even more funny is that when i turn on the A/C , its still cold, but warmer then when i have the A/C off.

Does this seem consistant with logicon issues?

Thanks.

 

Yes. Any or all of the HVAC functions can perform oddly.