Okay here's the newest issue I'm getting a coolant warning on my MY 1984 automatic. I've confirmed that there's sufficient antifreeze in the system and the car isn't overheating , however , I have discovered that my electric fan isn't cutting on but that it does work when unplugged and power applied directly to the plug.
Any one got any advice as to what I should look at and where to look?

 

Fan relay? What warning are you seeing exactly?

 

it just says "coolant" and the big red "!" is on

 

Check the coolant temp sender? Faulty perhaps?

Also, shouldn't the auxiliary fan only go on when the engine temperature is too high? If you're not overheating, it won't turn on.

+ edit

Your coolant level sensor may have quit.

 

Initially this situation resolved itself the warning went away but as of yesterday it did it again (of course on my way to an important meeting) the coolant light came on again and i took the car back home and filled the coolant tank which wasn't even really low to begin with but i figured what the heck? didn't work coolant light still on last night and the car is full on coolant but isn't over heating if anything it seemed to take longer than usual to warm up yesterday? where are the coolant temp sender and the coolant level sender?

 

Coolant temp sender is bottom left of the radiator, level sensor sits in the tank under the inside fender.

 

Coolant pressure sensor is on the passenger side of the engine compartment to the cowl side of the 14 pin connector. It could be faulty or have a small leak.

 

I thought the coolant warning only tripped from the level sensor in the expansion tank temp sender in the radiator end tank only triggers the auxilary fan at 190+ temps? Ive never gotten a warning for system pressure and my system hasnt held full pressure till just recently when i changed the sender O-ring.

I'd say checking the sensor (driver side radiator end tank at the bottom) for connection first then use an IR gun and see the temps. also try turning on the AC which should turn on the fan on its own if the relay is intact.

Have you changed your primary fan or is it still belt driven? If you have signs of overheating, look into filling the fan clutch with fluid as it might be bone dry causing it to pinwheel.

 

+1 on the level sensor!!!

Fan not coming on is a seperate issue!

 

replace the heater control valve and short hose,
and the thermostat and rear sealing ring.
replace the level sensor in the tank ,
and if the tank is tan or brown replace the tank and fit a new cap

touch the two wires together at the lower left front of the radiator with the key on does the fan run?
If not then check the fuse if yes then replace the temp sensor

 

Your coolant warning indicates lower coolant level. It may be real or a false reading due to faulty coolant level sensor. Yo have to troubleshoot the control loop.
Good luck,
Dave

 

"COOLANT" light +"!" is the level sensor in the tank. True Overheat will illuminate a light at the top of the temp gauge with the "!" symbol. Different sensors and circuits.

 

'Coolant' = sender in the coolant plastic tank under the fender in the engine bay. When the 'coolant' [water level] light is on, unplug the 2 wires going to the coolant bottle under the fender and the 'coolant' light should go out, bridge the 2 wires and the 'coolant' light should come back on. If it follows this, replace the coolant level switch.

'Temperature Gauge and Temperature RED light' = 2 pin sender on the water bridge up above the thermostat.

'Front fan' = 2 pin switch bottom left hand radiator tank. Unplug these 2 wires and bridge them and your front fan should run. If it doesn't, replace that radiator tank switch.