97 cavalier,coolant light is on and car is overheating after a while, but anti-freeze level looks fine. Put some anti freeze in 2 weeks ago and did fine for a while even though it didn't look low. Please help with clear instructions for a woman that knows nothing about cars.

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

You could have serious trouble with the engine losing that much anti-freeze. If it is not leaking out somewhere onto the ground, it may be from a bad head gasket that is letting coolant burn in the cylinders (you would see white smoke out the exhaust), or it may let the coolant get mixed into the oil in the lower engine's crankcase.
Pull the oil dipstick and look at it. If the level is way high, or if the oil color is milky brown looking, then you have water (anti-freeze) in the oil-a bad head gasket, and a big expense to fix it. That would explain the rattling: water in the oil stops the oil from lubricating properly, and the engine bearings and other moving parts inside the engine can be damaged. If this is the case, and the reason for the rattling, then the engine is shot and needs a total overhaul, or you need a different engine.
If the coolant was leaking outside, post back. Has the engine ever overheated from low coolant? The rattling is worrisome-have a mechanic listen to it if you get it started. If it won't crank over, have someone see if the engine can be turned by hand-if it still turns freely (not siezed up), then the starting circuit needs to be checked for why the starter won't work. Good luck. Check the oil first thing.

white smoke is caused by-- water or anti-freeze entering cylinder . if in radiator or the overflow tank. it will look like a chocolate milk shake. check on oil dipstick for traces of water or anti-freeze. also, a bad head gasket will let water or anti-freeze in combustion area. head gasket symtoms if bad. Symptom #1: Chronic Engine Overheating
Symptom #2: Significant Drop in Coolant Level Symptom #3: Mixing of Coolant and Engine Oil
Symptom #4: White Smoke from Exhaust Pipe
popping of overflow cap Symptom #6: Air Bubbles in Radiator
Symptom #7: Engine Lacks Power GOOD-DAY!

Check to see if your engine is leaking oil and/or coolant. This causes your engine to overheat and if it's not fixed, it can cause it to freeze up.

2

Check your oil and antifreeze for contamination. If your oil or antifreeze looks different in any way, have it tested by a lab to determine if contamination has occurred.

4

Check the level of fluid in your radiator. If your car suddenly loses a lot of coolant or the level is very low, this can indicate a cracked block.

5

Look for excessive smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe.

6

Check the radiator's coolant mixture of antifreeze and water to determine if it has frozen.

7

Check to see if the engine has overheated severely. Overheating can be caused by another engine problem, but the effect of the overheating can be a cracked block.

make sure that first the anti freeze level is correct. Then check the temputer sensor-fan might be cutting out if sensor is miss reading.1. temp sensor 2. fan

It may be due to a faulty coolant level sensor - look on the bottom of the coolant reservoir and you should see an electrical harness plugged in. That sensor detects how much coolant is in the system. If you're low on coolant, or if the sensor is malfunctioning, it could be the cause of the warning light. Check your coolant level, add as appropriate, and if it does not go away, look into changing the sensor.

If the engine fan works and you get good heat from the heater then you could have a bad head gasket. First make sure you dont have a leak somewhere and the car is overheating from low coolant level.

have you changed the sensor on the coolant reservoir? try that.

It sounds like the WaterPump is Bad. On this Car I would have a Mechanic Repair this. It can be Really tough to Replace on your Own. Please Rate My Response! Thanks!

First of all ensure that your car is leaking coolant fluid, and what is dripping is not just water condensation from the air conditioner.
If you have a coolant liquid leak, it can be from one of the ducts leading to radiator , from water pump or radiator itself. Check liquid levels, and if you have a leak have the car inspected by a qualified mechanic.
A broken water pump, for example, can cause your motor to blow in few miles.