Ok here goes.... recently while driving to work, I have had the "add coolant" light come on with the buzzard and everything. I pulled over, no leaks, no overheating, coolant was full, no problem.

Now its coming on so much, thats its getting ridiculous.
(1 there are no leaks
(2 theres no overheating
(3 coolant is still full

One thing I also noticed is that my alternator MAY be going bad intermittently. I had a battery light come on in my interior very lightly, then it faded away. I checked the alternator with my multimeter it was good, 13.9 volts but it did drop to 12.2 for a sec, then back to 13.9v.
While I was idling, the battery light came on again, and when I revved then engine it faded away... back to idle, the light came back on.

Soooo possible bad alternator? and whats up with the weird "add coolant issue? any help would be greatly appreciated

 

bad alternators can cause random lights/warnings to come on.

 

Just ground the wire from the plug directly to the frame. The sensor is probably bad

 

I would suggest the alternator. When mine was bad the buzzer would go off intermittently and lights would act up.

 

Thats strange that the alternator can affect that warning...I'm curious to know why that is

 

I did another test on my alternator just now: turned on high beams, wipers on max, a/c max, radio on, emergency signals, and I only had 12.78 volts while the car was running, and also my wipers actually slowed down so much they almost stopped.

I also heard a light whining sound coming from the alternator and thats enough proof for me, thanks

 

Ok alternator is now installed... voltage is perfect and it couldnt be better, BUT...the add coolant light is still coming on for no reason??? checked my coolant, it was full. The "Add coolant" light only comes on when I come to a stop, then it goes away if I start driving.

I was thinking it could be my radiator fans arnt working if the add coolant light only comes on while idling, then it goes away as I start driving.The temp gauge doesnt move past the middle, no indication of overheating.

I turned the car back off, turned the key to the "ACC"position and I hear the fans spinning.... I am SO confused if anybody knows please help thanks

 

im sure you will be, but just to make sure. You are checking the coolant level at the filler neck not the overflow tank?

 

It could be your water temp sensor. Mines fouled before and the buzzer went nuts.
Flush your radiator, then check the sensor for corrosion and clean it off, make sure its still connected properly.

Also, when you refill your radiator, I wouldn't suggest not using the "green" anti-freeze, as its known to corrode the material the sensors are made of.

 

bad sensor

 

Call Ray at malloy and order a new sensor, I had to do that back in the fall for one of my fds and it wasnt too expensive.

 

by water temp sensor, you are referring to the sensor that is directly below the radiator cap, right? I drove the car again just now and the "add coolant" light came again, but less often then it did before. I drove it hard to see if there was any problems, and it drove great, no problem.

I hope it goes away, but if it doesnt ill replace the water temp sensor

 

Coolant level sensor, it is on the front of the water filler neck a couple inches below the cap

 

Maybe u have air in the system, try to bleed it.

 

take this time to flush radiator and cooling system. ohm the sensor out without coolant. if reading is bad replace sensor. if not start tracing the wire back. if could be as simple as it came unpluged. good luck

 

I'm pretty sure that by driving the car, you are "burping" the system and any air works it's way to the filler neck.

If the light is on and the filler neck is full (after driving), then there is something else going on.

 

I have another suggestion. You may have a leaking engine sleal (not an APEX seal). If so, the fluid is leaking into your engine and being cumbusted with the fuel. usually you see white smoke coming out of your exhaust if this is the case. Unfortunately, you don't see any leaks on the outside of the car when this happens.

 

He isnt loosing coolant It isnt a coolant seal failure issue. I can send you a used Coolant level sensor if money is that tight.

 

I drove again today, and this is the problem... on the way to work the "ADD COOLANT" light came on again briefly, then after a few seconds the light turned off and did not come on again. It really comes on and off intermittently and its quite annoying since im not losing any coolant (I have checked the filler neck several times) and im definitely not overheating.

The used coolant level sensor sounds temping, ill give Ray a call tomorrow to
and get the price for the sensor new so I can decide what to do

 

IIRC, when I got one about a year ago(mine was working, but had cracked and was leaking) from Ray at Malloy, it was in the $30 range + shipping, total ~$35...

 

I tried to order it today but Ray was busy so he never did get to me. ill try again Monday

 

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