Low Coolant

[Y2KSVT]

Hey guys, I'm new to the boards, but not necessarily new to SHO's. I just picked up my 2nd 93 SHO, this time being an MTX. The car runs great for having 161k miles, but there are just a couple of things I thought I'd ask about.
First, I've got the Low Coolant light on. We filled it up lastnight, as the car had sat for over a year, but the light remains on. The car runs cool, and there are no signs of a coolant leak anywhere. Could this be a bad sensor?
Second, the front suspension makes a strange creeking sound when turning the wheel. It's not a metal on metal sound, so it's hard to describe. I know the SHO's have the assisted steering(I believe it's called?), so could it be something with that? Everything feels great, but the sound makes me wonder.

Thanks!!

Mark

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

Welcome to the board!

For the first one, try cleaning the electrodes on the sensor in the coolant overflow bottle. When they get dirty, the light will come on.

2nd...wait for someone else to chime in.

 

[92sho16]

The sensor could be bad, might need to be cleaned, or both my 92 and my fathers 93 had cracks in the overflow tanks. You might want to test the integrity of the overflow tank, does is stay full? If not thats your problem.

 

[Y2KSVT]

I'll have to take a look at the sensor and the overflow today after work. Hopefully the sensor just needs a good cleaning, and that'll clear it up. I'd like to keep my gauge cluster area, trouble-light free! Anyways, thanks for the quick responses!

Mark

 

[jasonleczo@hotm]

I have a '92 MTX and have had the same issues regarding the "grinding" noise and the low coolant light except as follows:

My coolant light comes on when the vehicle has been sitting cold (below 30 F) for a few hours (long enought to reach ambient temp). After running it until it warms, then restarting it, the light mysteriously goes away. When I first got the car, ten years ago, I tried adding coolant when I saw the light on. After several times doing this and noticing a similar amount on the ground relative to what I'd added, I learned to ignore it, check the heat and watch the temp gauge for coolant issues. I've put on 100k since then, ten consecutive Montana summers and winters.


The grinding noise was a similar colder-weather (45 F and below) phenomena, but one that I chased incessantly. New steering pump, new steering rack, new sway bars, new tie rods, new suspension,etc. I think I even bought new underwear, yet the noise persisted despite my best efforts. Then one day it was gone. My suspicion was strut tower bushings, because that seemed to be the origin of the sound, and as the vhicle was driven and warmed up the sound dissipated.

I realize its not much in the way of solution, merely an opportunity for commiseration.

JJ

 

[sdpatt]

If the squeak is the high pitched, ungreased, metal-to-metal squeak of the tie rod ends, you can grease the rubber boot by penetrating the rubber with a nail and injecting grease with a hypo-type syringe.

If it is not the tie rod ends, it is likely the upper spring perch rubbing against the inside of the strut tower. The condition is caused by the strut being located outward within the tower to maintain the proper camber (especially with shorter springs). It can be accommodated by simply lubricating the contact area with silicone grease. I **** the spot on my car with a dab of silicone grease on a gloved fingertip (doctor's orders) shoved up inside the strut tower to the contact region. Usually the forward, outboard area of the inside of the strut tower.

 

[dstig1]

Cleaning the sensor in the overflow tank is probably the issue. Easy to do with some fine sandpaper/emery cloth. The corrosion on the electrodes causes the sensor to trip in error. Once the sensor is tripped, it will not go off unless you shut off the car first (even if it was low coolant and you added some while it was running)

 

[Y2KSVT]

Thanks for the replies guys! I didn't get a chance to look at it yesterday, as I went home sick and didn't feel like going out in this weather. I'll take a look this weekend for sure.

sdpatt - 305k miles!!! Is that on the original motor? Have you had to open it up at all? Very nice!!

Mark