Low coolant light blues

[69goatfarmer]

Since I've been working with a replacement radiator I've had the low coolant light on in my 95 Grand Am. Coolant level is not low and I can't seem to reset the light. Is it possible I knocked a wire off a sensor somewhere or there is a reset procedure for this light?

It may or may not be the same problem but the Air Bag light and the Check Oil Level light come on intermittently. Oil level is OK and I have no way of checking the air bag except drive into an immovable object to set the air bag off and that isn't going to happen.

Any idea what is going on here?

Kirby

[Ralph]

This is the real fix surprisingly.

Take a hammer or the side of a wrench/screwdriver and hit the side your your coolant reservoir where the sensor is a few times. It got stock at the low position

[Matt95GT]

Yea, it's "normal" to have less-than-reliable sensors.

Coolant level sensor - bang on the side of the tank with screwdriver handle. Happens every time on mine. The good news is that only the "reset" of it sticks... every time the coolant got low, the light came on immediately.

Oil level (yellow "check oil" light) - the level switch in the oil pan is notorious for going bad. Your options are replacing it, bypassing it, or ignoring it. In both of the GA's I've had, I've ignored it and relied on the old reliable dipstick. Also, the switch seems to stick more often when the oil is cold... and since the logic for the light only checks the switch status are startup, the light will remain on even if the switch "unsticks" itself when the engine warms up.

The air bag light is the only one I would be concerned about. The light may indicate a sensor fault. It isn't uncommon to have leaky firewalls and airbag sensors with water damage. While a single sensor failure won't set off the airbag, 2 will, and we've had a couple members have an air bag blow off in their face for no reason. You would need a dealer to access the SRS/DERM module codes.

[rixGAphx]

The light may indicate a sensor fault. It isn't uncommon to have leaky firewalls and airbag sensors with water damage.
While a single sensor failure won't set off the airbag, 2 will, and we've had a couple members have an air bag blow off in their face for no reason. You would need a dealer to access the SRS/DERM module codes.Look under the front passenger seat, where there are many wires.
Some sense the presence of a passenger.
These wires are prone to being tangled/nicked by displaced cargo or rear-passenger feet.
but this would only apply if your car were '96 or newer

[Matt95GT]

Look under the front passenger seat, where there are many wires.
Some sense the presence of a passenger.
These wires are prone to being tangled/nicked by displaced cargo or rear-passenger feet.

There are none on the 94-95... which are drivers air bag only. ;) Therefore, I'm pretty sure it is a problem with one of the sensors, or wiring to/from them.

[rixGAphx]

There are none on the 94-95... which are drivers air bag only. ;)DOH!

[69goatfarmer]

Whack it with a hammer, my favorite repair technique. I call it "percussive maintenance".

If the Air Bag light is intermittent would the best guess be a bad sensor? From what you all have told me that is the only id10T light that worries me at this point.

[Matt95GT]

If the Air Bag light is intermittent would the best guess be a bad sensor? From what you all have told me that is the only id10T light that worries me at this point.

Possibly. It could also be an intermittent open/short to any of the sensors or the airbag coil itself. Since there are several sensors, it is hard to guess.

[arthurgoboom]

Not sure about your year, but the airbag module on mine keeps the airbag light on until it is reset at the shop, even if there is only a momentary disconnection of the circuit. Anytime it senses the circuit is open it sets an error and it stays on indefinitely. I disconnected mine when putting in a remote starter about 8 years ago, and haven't gone over to the stealership yet to give them $50 to reset it.

[69goatfarmer]

The light is definitely intermittent. We'll just have to live with it. BTW, the percussive maintenance trick on the Low Coolant light worked! Quite a reset procedure. One of those "undocumented features".

[Matt95GT]

BTW, the percussive maintenance trick on the Low Coolant light worked! Quite a reset procedure. One of those "undocumented features".

But if it were documented, it would be something like "Use GM specialty tool #J01434534d345sq lightly on the side of the tank" :lol: They wouldn't tell you that any blunt object would work.

[arthurgoboom]

Don't forget that GM specialty tool #J01434534d345sq would cost $179.95 and would be a special order with a 5-7 day delivery time.

[rixGAphx]

Don't forget that GM specialty tool #J01434534d345sq would cost $179.95 and would be a special order with a 5-7 day delivery time.:D ^^^ :D

Cheaper and quicker through www.gmpartsdirect.com

The Snap-On truck will have their sturdy lifetime-warrantied version on-board for immediate use, but it's gold-plated and costs 3 times the list price of the GM part.

The Dollar Store will have a wooden-handled version with rubber head for about, I don't know, a buck??

[69goatfarmer]

:D ^^^ :D

The Dollar Store will have a wooden-handled version with rubber head for about, I don't know, a buck??

Price check in the dollar store, even the customers answer : A DOLLAR! :D