Coolant level light won't go off

Check level of transmission fluid and engine coolant level. The only place where they share space is the radiator. Never put antifreeze, buy the proper engine coolant. The newer cars are specific what coolant to use. If yours is older green will probably be OK

was the reading taken when cold or hot --you can add water to your coolant but be advised it will change the cooling or anti freezing temps

Hi Marina,

This sounds like a low coolant (anti-freeze) level related problem.

After the car has been sitting for hours and the engine is COLD (over night is ideal), check the coolant reservoir of the car. Fill the reservoir with a 50 / 50 mixture of coolant (a type approved for use in your car) and water to the COLD line.

Remove the radiator cap - again - the engine MUST be COLD. The coolant should be visible about 1 - 2 inches in the radiator filler neck. Top off the radiator with a 50 / 50 coolant and water mixture as needed to get to the 1 - 2 inch level described above.

Leave the cap OFF and start the engine.

Turn the heat to HOT and fan on.

You should begin to see the coolant in the radiator begin flowing as the engine warms up. If at any time the coolant level in the radiator drops, add additional 50 / 50 coolant and water mixture as needed to get to the 1 - 2 inch level described above previously.

As the engine warms, the coolant will expand slightly and may begin to overflow from the radiator filler neck. At this point, replace the radiator cap SECURELY. If you needed to add coolant at any time in these steps you should have heat now. If not, try driving the car until the car engine reaches normal operating temperature.

If you're still unable to get heat, there may be a clog in the heater core or hoses that supply it; air trapped in the heater core circuit or other issue that will need a mechanic to repair.

Regardless if you have heat or not: Check for puddles of coolant under the car. You may have an inexpensive repair to fix a leaking hose or fitting. After the engine is hot check the exhaust pipe for white wispy "smoke". When first starting, this is common - but after hot - the exhaust should be clear. Wispy "smoke" is really steam from coolant leaking into the combustion chamber. This could be the cause for your coolant loss. This also indicates a much more expensive repair problem or either a damaged head gasket $$ or cracked engine block $$$$.

Good luck!

If your coolant level is full the low coolant switch is probably faulty they are normaly just a float & the float might be stuck. & Coolant should be used all year round as it is not just anti freeze but is (Anti freeze, Anti boil, & acidity, alkalinity regulator.) It changes the freezing/boiling point (water freeze at o degrees centegrade & boil at 100 degrees but with glycol it changes this depending on what % glycol there is in the system. The acid/alkaline regulator is corosion inhibitor to prevent parts being eaten from the inside out (radiators, heater cores, welsh plugs etc..)

If you added the green anti freeze to you system it will make the check coolent level light come on. Drain the system and use the extended life anti freeze and that will fix the problem.

Theremostat most likely stuck

Hello aislin87,

The total engine coolant capacity is 7.4 quarts.

Just changing the thermostat should not drain the entire system so you wont need that much.

The recommendation is above 30% but below 60% anti freeze to water to provide for proper freeze and anti-corrosion protection.

Regards,
netvan

The coolant sensor liight come on when the Anti-freeze get low. Just top off the ant-freeze and the light will go out. It is norrmal for anti-freeze level to go down but slow. Toping off once or twice a year is ok but anymore then that you really should check for leaks. Low anti-freeze will cause over heating. Over heating can wreak an engine.

the low coolant sensor is in the coolant bottle
take a hammer and use the HANDLE and tap the bottle were the sensor is you will see were the connector is that should shut the light off

i just solved this on my A6 quattro check the level in your expansion tank (left side of engine bay) if level is low then top up with long life dual anti-freeze/coolant,saves any probs if we have a harsh winter, if full pump on the radiator feed to help relieve poss blockages and make sure water is flowing through the system