Low Coolant Warning

Checksix · Post by **Checksix** » 01 Aug 2009, 19:25

I helped a friend do a timing belt change today on a 2002 S60. It went okay with a few bumps I'll elaborate on later. My main question is: Now the coolant low-level light is on. When we moved the coolant overflow and power steering tank, I noticed the wiring harness was pulled pretty taught. Do you think we did damage? Can this be easily fixed or do we need to buy a new reservoir with the sensor? Yes the coolant level is correct.

On to lessons learned: When we pulled the crank pulley, we used a steering wheel puller and went a little too long and this pulled the timing belt cog out a little before we recognized what was happening. So when we reattached things we just figured the tightening the crank main nut would seat everything. WRONG!!!!! After we had every thing back together, we started it up without the front cover on to make sue all was well. We noticed the belt kept moving towards the front of the engine on the tensioner. We kept thinking we did something wrong with the tensioner, but that was NOT THE PROBLEM. We ended up pulling the harmonic balance again, and then using a sleeve, hit the timing belt gear, and noted it move back about a quarter inch, (just enough to put it back into proper alignment). After putting it back together all was well (except for the coolant light). Any ideas on the coolant issue?

Jerry

DanZ51 · Post by **DanZ51** » 03 Aug 2009, 07:12

I can't help much with the coolant overflow. I would check the connector pins and see if they got pulled back or if the wires got damaged.

Good info on the timing belt job. I need to do a belt on my wife's '01 S60 soon. So I'm searching the archives for any info on doing a TB. I've done a few

before but never on a fwd Volvo.

puretartan · Post by **puretartan** » 03 Aug 2009, 08:40

hi what a small world having same problem just finished fitting timing belt, ect and yes low coolent warning light engine runs great but like yourself can only think i have damaged the cable in some way but on inspection they look ok
not sure if the engine manegment has to be reset,

the engine was still warm when i started the job so not sure if you have to wait,so long before starting work or the engine manegment kicks in and registers fault,

and hi all from accross the pond scotland uk

Checksix · Post by **Checksix** » 03 Aug 2009, 09:51

Dan,

In prep for the T belt job I thought the most challenging portion was the removal and replacement of the harmonic balancer. If you cut off the old belt, and sneak in the new w/out the balancer removal, you'll save a bunch of hassle. I have a good impact wrench so for me this was easy, but w/out the tools, it is tough keeping things aligned while loosening and tightening things. If you have the impact wrench I'd say remove it. If you are only using hand tools, I'd recommend leaving it on.

Puretartan, good to hear from you across the pond. Sorry to hear your job went like ours. We did the work Saturday, and my friend is still seeing the warning. I think it's going to be a new sensor for us, but I think he has yet to really push on the connector, As we resolve this, I'll continue to post.

Jerry

puretartan · Post by **puretartan** » 04 Aug 2009, 09:41

hi jerry thank you for getting back yes i would say we might need a new sensor, but i will play around with it again this weekend,or bypass the sensor and wait till i get a new one,

i did not have any tools for the job,as regarding the crank pulley i used a power bar tight against the ground and turned the car over few seconds, so good idea if you dont have power gun, as you say when you start fitting the tbelt ect it all gets a bit hairy,wish i had a camshaft locking tool it would have made it easier,but beggers cant be chooser's,

but the good news is we did not trash our engines ,thank god.
take care from ,,,,bonnie scotland,,, thank's again colin

YoungHottie916 · Post by **YoungHottie916** » 20 Aug 2016, 15:18

All u need to do is unplug the coolant level sensor and replace it, or possibly just plug it back in.. but its fairly cheap online and super easy

JeffHicks · Post by **JeffHicks** » 21 Aug 2016, 06:50

The Low Coolant warning light "problem" is fairly common. The sensors are fickle and the connections seem to lose good contact.

You can either bypass the sensor by sliding a small piece of wire in there, or you can replace the sensor. I believe you'll have to buy the whole reservoir to get a new sensor.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 21 Aug 2016, 09:39

At least be glad you have a car that has that sensor... My '07 S40 does not and I'm in the process of adding one. Lucky for me, I avoided a close-call mishap when my resevoir tank sprung a leak a few weeks ago.

I would not drive a Volvo that has an aluminum engine without one. That said, do whatever you have to got get this working-
A new reservoir tank, one from a junk yard- whatever!!
This little level sensor is your first defense against a toasted engine.

Post by **abscate** » 21 Aug 2016, 18:24

Aged Thread alert , oP was in 2009!