You have saved this page | See all saved pages
Chevrolet Impala Coolant System
33 messages, Last post on May 22, 2013 at 9:28 PM
You are in the Chevrolet Impala Forum.- Your Hosts are Kirstie@Edmunds & Karen@Edmunds
What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Impala, Sedan
#3 of 33 Re: low coolant light [rstraub] by charts2
Jul 07, 2007 (4:05 pm)
Replying to: rstraub (Jul 07, 2007 8:05 am)
I got the same problem. I will let the light stay on until I sell the car down the road then have it addressed. I have heard this is a problem that is more common then it should be.
#4 of 33 Re: low coolant light [rstraub] by chevybaby
Jul 08, 2007 (10:09 am)
Replying to: rstraub (Jul 07, 2007 8:05 am)
thanks for replying have one question on the thermostat u said u bled it why? I have notices that sometimes my gauge for the temp sometimes goes up or it stays two lines from the cold other times its where it should be i am alittle upset that nothing can be done espcially after dishing 114dollars to the mechanic and i still have the problem maynbe i will have better luck with a gm dealer what do u think?
#5 of 33 Re: low coolant light [chevybaby] by kevink7
Jul 16, 2007 (5:27 am)
Replying to: chevybaby (Jul 08, 2007 10:09 am)
I have an '01 Impala, ...and the Low Coolant light was on. I replaced the low coolant sensor ($36 from Rockauto.com), ...problem fixed.
The sensor is located on the right(rear)(pass) side of the radiator (about 1 1/2" square in shape) ...near the battery. It is simple to replace, ...more work to remove the battery to get to it.
As for 'bleeding' the system at the thermostat. This is done to remove air from the system. If you do not bleed the system, ...there could be pockets of air (hence absence of coolant) in the motor, ...which could(will) prevent adequate cooling.
- slvimpala (Jul 25, 2007 8:44 pm)
Replies to this message:
#6 of 33 Re: low coolant light [kevink7] by slvimpala
Jul 25, 2007 (8:44 pm)
Replying to: kevink7 (Jul 16, 2007 5:27 am)
i have an 2002 impala base 3400 and i simply just Unplugged the sensor because it got really annoying it was bugging me it got to the point where it would go off for like 3 mins and then come back on and go back off and then come back on
- rstraub (Jul 26, 2007 6:10 am)
Replies to this message:
#7 of 33 Re: low coolant light by rstraub
Jul 26, 2007 (6:10 am)
Replying to: slvimpala (Jul 25, 2007 8:44 pm)
These are very easy to change, I went to Auto Zone and bought an aftermarket sensor for just under $8.00. So far so good, no lights. 
#8 of 33 Re: low coolant light [chevybaby] by 0patience
Jul 29, 2007 (1:27 pm)
Replying to: chevybaby (Jul 08, 2007 10:09 am)
Some aftermarket sensors are not calibrated properly and will give problems with the system. Using OEM sensors will help keep you from having problems with sensors. I have replaced hundreds of NEW aftermarket sensors, not because they were broken, but because they didn't work properly. The customers ended up paying twice for the sensor, because they were saving money with the aftermarket parts.
As for the low coolant light coming on, there is a service bulletin on diagnosing and repairing this problem.
Any good mechanic would have checked it.
Bulletin No.: 04-06-02-007
Date: August 11, 2004
TECHNICAL
Subject:
Low Engine Coolant Level Indicator Always On (Diagnose Low Coolant Level System Operation/Check Sensor for Oil Contamination)
Models:
2000-2002 Buick Century, Regal
2000-2001 Chevrolet Lumina
2000-2002 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo
2000-2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
2000-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
Condition
Some customers may comment that the low engine coolant level indicator is always illuminated.
Cause
The cause of this condition may be due to engine oil contaminating the coolant. Possible sources of oil contamination are internal engine leaks, improper service procedures, or the addition of some types of anti-leak additives to the cooling system. Once in the coolant, the oil leaves deposits on the level sensor creating an insulating film. This film results in a false activation of the coolant level indicator.
Correction
Diagnose low coolant level system operation and check the sensor for oil contamination using the procedure listed below.
Important: No coolant supplements should be used in GM cooling systems, other than what is approved and recommended by GM. The use of "aftermarket" over-the-counter sealing and cooling supplements may affect the operation of the low coolant level sensor. Discoloration of the coolant recovery bottle is normal and does not necessarily indicate that coolant contamination is present.
#9 of 33 Re: low coolant light [0patience] by slvimpala
Jul 29, 2007 (3:45 pm)
Replying to: 0patience (Jul 29, 2007 1:27 pm)
I think For 2008 or 2009 Gm Needs to Look at all the problems with the impala and fix them like the old 3400 v6 with intake and head problems thats just flat out dumb why whould put your loyal Customers Thru that type of Mess i'm a proud owner of my impala but i know people from the area who have impalas and they all have had that Head and intake problems and if you got the 2k to get it fixed it blows up any way
#10 of 33 Re: low coolant light [0patience] by chevybaby
Jul 29, 2007 (5:56 pm)
Replying to: 0patience (Jul 29, 2007 1:27 pm)
thanks for replying I have gotten my 2000 impala fix this will be the third sensor they put but this time its the gm brand not the napa so far so good i have told the mechanic about bleeding the air out too which he did that while i was in the shop. He did not bled it till he saw bubbles in the raidiator but said that my head casket may have a pin hole in it that it could be why the low coolant light keep coming on anyway told me to try out the sensor and see if it will go back on so far i have done 400 miles on the new sensor and it has not come on yet . ty so much for everyones info . Let me know if there are anymore problems with these cars that i should know about thanks again
#11 of 33 Re: low coolant light [0patience] by rstraub
Jul 30, 2007 (8:10 am)
Replying to: 0patience (Jul 29, 2007 1:27 pm)
Good looking out. Thanks for the info. Rich
#12 of 33 Re: low coolant light [chevybaby] by bobber1
Aug 09, 2007 (4:53 pm)
Replying to: chevybaby (Jul 29, 2007 5:56 pm)
My 02 Impala with the 3800 engine has been running on the hot side whenever I do much stop and go driving and it's 80 degrees or above. I've got 155,000 trouble free miles on the old girl and am planning on trading this fall. I'm just curious if anybody has any ideas on what's going on? The coolant level is full and water pump does not appear to be leaking. I checked the antifreeze and it's up to snuff. The last week or two the low coolant light has been coming on when I start the car, but then goes off after a minute or two of driving. It rarely goes in the red, but it gets pretty darn close. I've resorted to turning the A/C off when I'm stopped to help out. I live in the Midwest and in another 45 days, it will start cooling down, so won't have to worry too much then.
I just hoping it's not a serious issue and I can nurse it along another 4 or 5 months.
To POST a message, please
Sign In.
Advertisement
Most Popular in Forums
Search Forums
Enter Keyword(s):
Learn More, Do More
Edmunds Community
Advertisement