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Stays on coolant lite

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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loveMy850
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Stays on coolant lite

Post by loveMy850 »

About a month or so ago my coolant lite started coming on now it stays on once I start up and drive a mile or two Im just unsure, tried switching out coolant level sensor, I changed my temp. sensor and thermostat 3 yrs. ago.I think for the same reason, but I'm not overheating. What gives?

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abscate  
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Post by abscate »

Its very easy to damage the wire by stretching it when you replace the sensor.

If the coolant level is okay in the reservoir, you can test the sensor via ohmmeter.

See good DIY here...that 15 year old is now representing our country overseas btw

#proudDad

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57659&p=292541#p292541
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erikv11
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Post by erikv11 »

I can only think it is related to the coolant level sensor. How is the connector to that, wires in good shape and is the metal inside clean?
'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6 :shock: 153k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k

loveMy850
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Post by loveMy850 »

I changed it out, maybe they sent a defected sensor😁 anyway where the float, maybe its the float inside the res.tank. it's cork web, I'm going to look see after I get some coffee in me. Any other suggestions? Thanks

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abscate  
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Post by abscate »

Make and break the connection a couple if times. Be careful lifting the reservoir, there are only 5 cm of slack in the electrical line before it breaks.

I remember the sensor ties into the temperature sensor and all ties into the ECM wiring. I'll see if I can find my spare and figure out if it's a NC or NO switch

NC IS NORMALLY CLOSED
NO is normally open

I'm sure it's NO as if you pull the socket off, presenting an open circuit, your coolant light comes on. The float in the reservoir closes the switch when the level is correct
Empty Nester
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1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
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erikv11
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Post by erikv11 »

We're not talking so much about the sensor, but the wiring to the sensor.
'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6 :shock: 153k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k

loveMy850
Posts: 369
Joined: 8 October 2006
Year and Model: 1994 850 WAGON
Location: California
Has thanked: 97 times
Been thanked: 4 times

Post by loveMy850 »

My phones bouncing around everytime I try replying ok the metal inside where the sensor go's in Erica? and the wiring looks good it was an easy switch. Maybe Ill put the old one back in there was a bit of coolant on the old one If I'm right Erica is talking that is where the metal is. It may well need cleaned. What's best Q tip maybe?

loveMy850
Posts: 369
Joined: 8 October 2006
Year and Model: 1994 850 WAGON
Location: California
Has thanked: 97 times
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Post by loveMy850 »

I was just thinking about taking it out a couple of times see if that don't work, coffees finally kicking in. I need to also look for that float. Kinda chilly outside.but going after her here in a few. Thanks guys Ill get back even if prob.is solved, gotta share✌

loveMy850
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Post by loveMy850 »

By the by this coolant sensor looks to be gray plastic it won't hurt to wipe it off will it? Some of these sensors are so sophisticated.Thank you asap if anyone can

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erikv11
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Post by erikv11 »

It probably looks a lot like this?

Image

The rectangular part on the right has metal contacts inside, that's what I was talking about. The metal will be clean on the new sensor of course, but check the metal on the other rectangular connector that hooks to it, the one in the car. The metal connections on the rectangular piece in the car might be old and corroded. Get a flashlight and take a good look inside the connector for corrosion. Like abscate said you can plug and unplug the connectors several times, this can help to rub off corrosion. There is even a spray product you can buy "contact cleaner" that helps, but probably isn't necessary here.

This sensor isn't actually very sensitive but wiping it off is not a bad idea. Make sure it is snapped all the way in to the coolant bottle when you put it back.
Last edited by erikv11 on 10 Mar 2019, 11:04, edited 1 time in total.
'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6 :shock: 153k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k

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