Low Coolant warning light

jpanek · 05-13-04, 10:23 AM

Hey Guys,

My low coolant warning light does not light up during the key on-engine off bulb check before starting the car. The bulb was swapped with a known good one and the circuit board does not appear to have a cracked trace in the back. The surge tank is new and its low coolant detector is plugged in.

Do your low coolant warning lights turn on then off when you start your cars? If so, what could be causing mine not to light up?

**jmccloud** · 05-13-04, 03:11 PM

My '95 LT-1 low coolant light doesn't come on either. I've been too lazy to dig into the bulb in the Driver Information Center. Looking forward to seeing answers to your question.

jpanek · 05-14-04, 12:01 PM

anyone?

**Ken** · 05-14-04, 12:06 PM

I haven't heard of this problem with a '94, but the earlier C4s had some sort of problem with the sensor in the radiator tank causing erroneous readings.

jpanek · 05-14-04, 03:11 PM

Thanks, Ken. It is a brand new surge tank from the dealer, but I know that doesn't guarantee it working right.

Anyone know what the sensor is? If it's a closed/open switch, I'll just short the terminals and see if that lights the bulb. Even so, it should still check the bulb when you first turn it on. I'm paranoid about the coolant level, so I'd really like this to work!

**Ken** · 05-14-04, 03:15 PM

I don't have a book for the '94 and I haven't worked on one in recent memory either, so I can't help you there. Normally it's on the right (passenger) side of the radiator tank; you should see a green wire leading to it (I think it's green.

)

**berky2500** · 07-07-04, 08:41 PM

How about a poll of 90-96 owners? Does the Low Coolant Light come on for a few seconds when you turn the key or not? I have the same problem on a 90, I've got all of the other warning lights to illuminate, except this one.

I'll keep trying to trigger the light if I can by bypassing the sensor, but the newest shop manual I have is an 86.

Come on everyone, look to the right, does it come on or not? Did it ever?

**WhalePirot** · 07-07-04, 11:15 PM

Shouldn't this be addressed in he O.M.? Does anyone have one?

**atmmac** · 07-07-04, 11:24 PM

why dont you just check the coolant level every oil change and watch the water temperature. It would really only bother me if the light was on and stayed lit.

**berky2500** · 07-08-04, 05:27 AM

WP, if it is in the O.M., I haven't found it. I've been looking at the 1990 version, it talks about the light, but not whether it is part of the start up checks.

atm, I agree with you, but it's not my car. The owner asked me to fix all of the warning lights or explain why they don't come on. New owner and picky about things, so I try to accomodate.

The one that stays on is the fasten belts, but that is a different problem, haven't found it yet either.

**SPANISHVETTS** · 07-08-04, 05:42 AM

By design the low coolant light does not come for a few seconds when you turn on the key. This was discussed somewhere before but I can not remember where. It does not make much sense but I guess that the General had his reasons.

**berky2500** · 07-08-04, 06:40 AM

Thanks SV, that makes me feel better since this one doesn't light up. Now if I can just get it to come on once to make sure the circuit works, I can be done with that part.

**Rabbit** · 07-08-04, 02:45 PM

Just to confirm the confirmation..no low coolant light bulb check at key "on". 95 coupe.

**Schnickiman** · 04-15-13, 05:20 PM

I had the same question and did some research on this and other corvette forums. For the later C4 models, it appears that the LOW COOLANT light is not supposed to illuminate on the DIC during the engine start self-test. I have a 1996 Grand Sport and the LOW COOLANT light does not come on at engine start. Corvette DIC Display 2.jpg DIC User Manual.jpg

1996 collector's "low coolant light" problem