'99 Lumina Can low cooland sensor shut down engine?

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Edwin Pawlowski - 16 Nov 2006 00:51 GMT

A fellow at work has a '99 Lumina with V-6. It will run for about 10 miles,
then dies. After sitting for 15 to 30 minutes, it is good for another 10
miles or so.

He has checked the fuel pump pressure, replaced filter, replace crankshaft
sensor, ignition module. He took it to a shop that worked on it for two
days, same problem and they could not find anything. There are no computer
codes showing up.

The other night, he had it idle to warm up. It died after about 20 minutes
and the "Low Coolant" light was on. It is full to the top of the radiator
and in the reservoir though. Could this sensor be defective and cause a
shutdown of the engine? Where is the sensor located?

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shiden_kai - 16 Nov 2006 02:19 GMT

> The other night, he had it idle to warm up. It died after about 20
> minutes and the "Low Coolant" light was on. It is full to the top of
> the radiator and in the reservoir though. Could this sensor be
> defective and cause a shutdown of the engine? Where is the sensor
> located?

It can be defective, but it will not shut down the engine. It's located
in the radiator on that model, I believe. Passenger side, about 1/3
of the way down from the top.

Ian

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Edwin Pawlowski - 16 Nov 2006 02:33 GMT

"shiden_kai" <V-L-M@hotma1l.com> wrote in message

> It can be defective, but it will not shut down the engine. It's located
> in the radiator on that model, I believe. Passenger side, about 1/3
> of the way down from the top.
>
> Ian

Thanks. The search for the real cause goes on.

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putt@webtv.net - 19 Nov 2006 13:12 GMT

>A fellow at work has a '99 Lumina with
> V-6. It will run for about 10 miles, then
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> up. It died after about 20 minutes and
> the "Low Coolant" light was on.

I'd check: the oil-pressure/the CAT(plugged up?)/computer(faulty)
Some engines use the oil-pressure sensor as an engine safeguard. Low
pressure will open the fuel delivery system. A plugged-up CAT might
cause the engine to die. With the engine acting this way, it seems
there would be trouble codes...possibly the computer is faulty?
Just some thoughts.....

Dave S(Texas)

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Edwin Pawlowski - 19 Nov 2006 14:48 GMT

> >A fellow at work has a '99 Lumina with
>> V-6. It will run for about 10 miles, then
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> there would be trouble codes...possibly the computer is faulty?
> Just some thoughts.....

The car runs fine when it is running. Even passed the emissions test in
this condition so in theory, the CAT should be eliminated? Or if it is
plugged, there would not be enough emissions to get a high reading.

Oil pressure sensor has not been checked, nor has the computer aside from
the normal plugging in to get codes. The other day he did bypass the
coolant level, replaced the thermostat and the water temperature sensor.
Whatever it is, seems to be heat related as it re-starts when the car sits
for a short time.

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