Radiator Light and temp Light flashing

[GregB]

Hi all, I have a 1997 Saturn SL 2 with 96,000 miles.

Just recently my radiator light starting flashing along with the High Temp light for the radiator.

The fluid is fine in the radiator and the temp is normal.

The radiator fan does not turn on. The car overheats when not moving but when driving or when the A/C is on car is ok, it doesn't overheat.

How or what should I do to fix this problem?

I appreciate all your help in advance. Thanks.

[10W30]

Replace your thermostat.

[eljefino]

Those are low coolant lights also. Might want to add a couple tablespoons of coolant, the float gums up and needs a higher level than it used to. It's possible you boiled some off when you overheated.

also get that fan working, the ects is a great start.

[madpogue]

Skip the "also"; when it's flashing (it's only one light, BTW), that means low coolant, period. As elj. said, though, sometimes the float switch that sets the light gums up. If you're certain that the coolant level is okay, then drain some off (enough to empty the reservoir), remove the reservoir and clean it out thoroughly; that MIGHT "un-gum" it. If it doesn't just replace the whole reservoir with one from the junkyard.

Does the fan go on when you turn on the A/C?

BTW, your thermostat is the least likely player (but not ruled out entirely).

[eljefino]

When I've been (falsely) low on coolant both the low coolant and overheat lights flashed, in unison. Might be different between years I guess.

With a bad ECTS reading too cool, the computer won't light the overheat light for overheating.... poor redundancy thinking there saturn.

[madpogue]

Originally Posted by eljefino

When I've been (falsely) low on coolant both the low coolant and overheat lights flashed, in unison.

It's actually just one light. There's only one bulb behind those two callouts.

[eljefino]

^ hahahaha these cars really are pretty cheap.

It's like those yorx stereos where the graphic equalizer control levers are stuck together.

[mr18436572]

i had the same problem recently. replaced the ECTS and cleaned out the coolant tank real good (a lot of gunk came out) and light hasnt flashed since.

[ahillier]

I would also do a quick test to see if the fan is working at all. This can be done by directly hooking it up to the battery. Most likely it's a thermostat or fan problem.

[GregB]

Dear Saturners ...

I took my car to the mechanic (they did another job for me) and they told me it was my computer chip and that it would cost $1000 just for the chip. Something didn't sit right with me, so I told them I'd let them know. Meanwhile the other job they did for me was crap and when i asked them to refix it ...they said they checked it and all was fine.. ahem yeah ok. Needless to say I didnt trust their diagnois of my car.

So, I took out the coolant and I noticed the float was broken. So, I went to a Saturn dealer and got a new coolant. I put it in and low and behold NO MORE FLASHING LIGHTS !!!!!!!!

I want to say thank you very much to all who responded to my original post, your advice was so helpful and insightful thanks very much for helping me and others on this forum.

Have an awesome week !

Greg

[madpogue]

Well, you coulda gone even cheaper by buying a reservoir (presuming that's what you replaced) at a junkyard. But still, buying and installing the part yourself was a pretty penny less than the $1000 those losers wanted (which wouldn't've fixed it anyway), eh? Yuh, the float failing isn't that uncommon. The $1000 guys should have at least considered that. Good thing you headed them off at the pass.

[DeCaff2006]

Yeah hey not to bump an older thread, but I'm now having this same problem on my 99 SL2...78K 5speed.

ECTS is brass. Resevoir tank is where I will check next.