I just replaced my coolant reservoir with a newer used one that didn't have a coolant level sensor. It appears to be not available on the 95 and later cars. Mine is a 93 and was leaking, so this is why I replaced it. I thought I could easily disconnect the coolant level sensor and just short the connector and bypass it, but the indicator light came on anyway.

Investigation of the coolant sensor indicates a resistance reading of 8M ohm. If I invert the sensor, I get 9M ohm, so there is a 1M ohm difference between when its sensing whether there is coolant in the reservoir or not. Since I didn't readily have a 9M ohm resistor, I reconnected the sensor and inverted it and placed it in the engine compartment for the time being. I have yet to test this as its late in the evening….

I don't like the jury rig solution to defeat the low coolant light. Anybody done this in a more professional manner?

 

I'm not sure how they differ visually -- didn't know they differ at all -- but can you modify the newer one to accept the older one's sensor?

 

The reason we dont really like the reserviors with the sensors, (92-94) is because they crack easily right beside the sensor. It's just a crack point. Guess where a crack is on my 92 SC? Beside the sensor.

Also I don't think one can simply drop the sensor in to the 95-up reservior.The mold that covers the hole is apart of the container.

 

I was envisioning cutting a new hole and rigging up some sort of lip for the sensor and cap. Something along the lines of a PCV Valve grommet to seal up the opening and give you something to mount to.

 

Well, for right now, I hooked the sensor back up in the inverted position and secured it next to the coolant reservoir. At least the idiot light is no longer on until I can find a more permanent solution.

A 9Meg ohm resistor should do the trick.

 

I was under the impression that zero ohms equals happy sensor. Ie. unplug it and the car will think its full. Mine is currently cracked all around the sensor so I took a plastic bag (the kind I work with is really thick like a triple thick garbage bag maybe) and covered the res with weekly refills. This is to gimp along till I can afford a new res. if I am wrong please correct me as Id like it to run right

My plan is to use a howe expansion tank instead as it's aluminum and won't crack later down the road (and cheaper too) the RX7 swaps use this with the ls1. Lol if I can find where I bought it last time I'd already have fixed it.

Anyway good luck. I currently have my sensor in the res but not connected, no lights in the dash. Although I am still chasing a hesitation problem I thought was caused by the coolant spraying my whole bay. Could be tps or maf at this point (no codes either)

 

My sensor is not connected and the light stays off. I keep it unplugged because the light is always on, regardless of the coolant level. I'm guessing this is because my sensor is bad, however I haven't verified this issue because I have more pressing things that are bugging me like brakes, shocks, trunk struts, etc.

 

subscribed because i'd like to change my ugly @$$ coolant reservoir.

 

I previously had my sensor disconnected, which got rid of the idiot light problem. But I changed my tune. I had a heater hose break, and then my water pump went out. Through those repairs I replaced the sensor and I am very happy I have done so because there's comfort in knowing the coolant level is just right. The part is like $80-90 from lexus.sewellparts.com. I'm really glad I replaced it. Super easy repair.