Satyllac

Recently my alternator came loose for some unexplained reason... The lower mount stud had broken or fallen out or something. With the alternator not secured, the belt squeaked horribly. There was also not much of anything for the belt to grip onto, since it lacked much tension. After awhile, the coolant level and coolant temperature light began blinking simultaneously... So I immediately pulled over and checked the coolant level. It was just fine... But I topped it off anyway just to be sure. So I fixed the belt and alternator... But I still get these flashing lights. I thought maybe since there wasn't enough tension, the water-pump wasn't turning properly, thus giving off the coolant warning indicators (who knows, they're all related to the coolant system). So after fixing the belt, I thought the lights should stop blinking... No such luck.

Basically, what I'm wondering is: What do both of these lights flashing at the same time mean? The water pump is bad? The CTS is bad? My coolant temperature needle still indicates that all is well, it doesn't overheat or go above anywhere it used to. The fluid is full, and its within the temperature limits... So why are these two lights blinking at me?!

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*Note To Self*
Spend less on car, more on guns.
*/Note*
-Randy

Ssicarman

Year, model, auto or manual trans please.

Could be the coolant sensor especially if the trans is auto. Could be a sticking coolant level sensor. A read of the owners manual may give you a better idea of the function of the two lights and possibly a clue as to why they are both on.

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Satyllac

1997, Saturn SC2, 5 Speed Manual. (1998 1.9L DOHC Engine from an automatic SL2).

Earlier on I replaced the CTS because I thought it may have been triggering the "Service" light. Upon replacing it, I found the old one to be cracked, so I was glad I replaced it, even if it wasn't the cause of the light (the light was actually on due to my radiator fan switch modification). But since the coolant temperature gauge seems to be functioning properly, I'm going to azzume the CTS isn't at fault (that's if and only if the CTS controls the temperature gauge in addition to the dummy lights).

After swapping out the engines (read here: mid-June 2004), the coolant level sensor was working fine. It told me the engine needed more coolant, so I kept adding until the light turned off and the reservoir was full. The light hadn't come on until a few days ago, when it began blinking simultaneously with the coolant temperature warning indicator (Note: at the time the light started flashing, the coolant temperature gauge is well within acceptable limits). So I pulled over, checked the level of coolant, and topped it off (it was a tad low, but not nearly enough to trip the light). Hop back in the car, the lights continue to flash for a short while, then shut off. Next drive, they seemed to come on whenever they felt like it, and stop when they felt necessary. Now they blink the majority of the time, and occasionally stay off.

__________________
*Note To Self*
Spend less on car, more on guns.
*/Note*
-Randy

Satyllac

I'm not the only one with this issue apparently... Could we please get some assistance? My lights have gone from blinking 80% of the time to almost all of the time now...

__________________
*Note To Self*
Spend less on car, more on guns.
*/Note*
-Randy

Ssicarman

If you had an auto then I would say that you had an temp ratio error between the engine and the auto temp sensors. Manual no such thing. Is the SES light still coming on> You mentioned that it had been on. If so get the codes. The minimum fill level for the coolant surge tank is at the seem of the tank. So the coolant should be at that level when the car is cold. Any pinched wiring harnesses? Is the temp sensor connector free from any corrosion?

__________________
A lousy day in Paradise is still a day in Paradise.

Satyllac

Got it covered now... Wiggled the plug at the bottom of the coolant tank, added a tad more Dex. As stated earlier, the "Service" light was due to the manual radiator fan switch.

Just wondering now... Why wasn't it just the coolant level light coming on? Why must both the coolant temperature *and* low-level warning lights come on, and blink (blinking usually means something is majorly wrong, as far as I know)?

As I said before, immediately after swapping engines, getting the motor filled with coolant, it was only the low-level warning coming on, and it would stay solidly lit. We'd start the engine, let some coolant run through and fill the radiator and the coolant lines, shut it off when the light came on, put in more Dex, and repeat the process.

How come it wasn't only the level light coming on if I was low on coolant? Shouldn't a solid light have been a precursor to a full-on blinking one?

__________________
*Note To Self*
Spend less on car, more on guns.
*/Note*
-Randy

ian12

um you might have the same thing i did. my level and temp light kept flashing for a week everytime. then it stopped but came back. i tried everything but then i found when i replaced the ects the problem was fixed. and i have a 97 dohc with a 5 speed

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