coolant overflow sensor

[Bri7man]

Birdcage light would stay on with a full overflow tank.

The floater doesn't float but moves freely when turned upside down.

So basically all I need is a new floater right? I noticed sealant used to keep the sensor and wires coming out of the bottom of the tank waterproof. Does anyone know what kind of sealant that is?

Pic of floater/sensor for reference:

 

[supra1008]

Might just be easier to get a tank from someone parting out. Actually I might have an extra one lying around

 

[92nsx]

Ya you can either buy a new (used) tank, or replace the sensor. Take a multimeter and test you old sensor first to make sure it is the sensor and not the wiring. Just see if there is continuity when the float is down. It is pretty much just a on - off switch.

I have had one leak (on my first 89) and I just used some RTV to seal it up.

 

[Green7mgte]

looks sorta cruddy.
it happens from time to time if you had a severe leak or your reservoir went dry that they would "stick" open. you can smack it or just replace the reservoir. there inexpensive and cleaner then the one you have now =)

 

[3.0 GT]

mine was just dirty and crummed up like yours and i took it out, cleaned it, and put it back in with rtv silicone and now it works great.

 

[shaeff]

*Reservoir

 

[Bri7man]

Ya you can either buy a new (used) tank, or replace the sensor. Take a multimeter and test you old sensor first to make sure it is the sensor and not the wiring. Just see if there is continuity when the float is down. It is pretty much just a on - off switch.

I have had one leak (on my first 89) and I just used some RTV to seal it up.

Thanks for the pm I'll consider replacing it if I can't get it to work.

As for testing it, I tested the connector that comes off of it and no reading, but I'm not sure exactly how to remove the sensor safely.. There's a rubber ring and a plastic piece the wires go into with funky little cutouts in it like maybe a SST was made to remove it.

 

[Poodles]

Originally, it's not sealent, it's just a rubber gasket that is pressed in. Of course being 20 years old it falls apart when you go to pull it out to clean it.

 

[Bri7man]

Originally, it's not sealent, it's just a rubber gasket that is pressed in. Of course being 20 years old it falls apart when you go to pull it out to clean it.

Yeah I just pulled and bought another sensor from a junkyard off a n/a mk3. The rubber gasket separated as I pulled it out. Doesn't look any better than mine but I noticed when the floater reaches the bottom a "click" is audible each time. I guess the switch is somehow magnetic?

After I got home I cleaned them and realized both "click", both have continuity(I learned how to properly test for it) when closed, but the old one does not float and the one I pulled from the junkyard does!

Thanks for the help and feedback everyone, I really appreciate it!