Coolant Light on Dash
#326
weeeeeeeeee
iTrader: (12)
The only thing I'll add (pretty sure it has been mentioned too) is that one of the symptoms is an actual overheat condition that causes the sensor to freak out.
I mention this (it happened to me) for anyone planning to unplug it and play dumb.... You could be ignoring another, potentially serious, problem.
I mention this (it happened to me) for anyone planning to unplug it and play dumb.... You could be ignoring another, potentially serious, problem.
#327
#225 of 1000
iTrader: (7)
The only thing I'll add (pretty sure it has been mentioned too) is that one of the symptoms is an actual overheat condition that causes the sensor to freak out.
I mention this (it happened to me) for anyone planning to unplug it and play dumb.... You could be ignoring another, potentially serious, problem.
I mention this (it happened to me) for anyone planning to unplug it and play dumb.... You could be ignoring another, potentially serious, problem.
rather dumb to unplug it and not have any way to monitor the temps.
#328
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Actually it isn't dumb to unplug it. There is a dash temp gauge , I suppose they put that there for a reason. Of course you could just leave it plugged in and pull out your hair on a regular basis or buy a new one every time the switch is bad and there are probably several threads and comments on how bad the switch is
, but I don't think it is Dumb my any measure if you understand your car.
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#330
Reginald P. Billingsly
iTrader: (5)
I relocated my bottle and haven't taken the time to extend the wires to it yet. Not difficult to check it, but I think it's much smarter to have it plugged in.
It would be nice to know if your losing your coolant while driving, that sensor is the only thing that can tell you that. Makes it difficult to check when the vehicle is in motion.
It would be nice to know if your losing your coolant while driving, that sensor is the only thing that can tell you that. Makes it difficult to check when the vehicle is in motion.
#331
SARX Legend
Thread Starter
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![TX](https://www.rx8club.com/images/icons/tx.jpg)
Actually it isn't dumb to unplug it. There is a dash temp gauge , I suppose they put that there for a reason. Of course you could just leave it plugged in and pull out your hair on a regular basis or buy a new one every time the switch is bad and there are probably several threads and comments on how bad the switch is
, but I don't think it is Dumb my any measure if you understand your car.
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
And the switch goes bad, but it's not like it goes bad every 20,000 miles. I have 137,000 miles and only have replaced it once.
It's not hard, but neither is just fixing the problem properly.
#332
FULLY SEMI AUTOMATIC
iTrader: (9)
Actually it isn't dumb to unplug it. There is a dash temp gauge , I suppose they put that there for a reason. Of course you could just leave it plugged in and pull out your hair on a regular basis or buy a new one every time the switch is bad and there are probably several threads and comments on how bad the switch is
, but I don't think it is Dumb my any measure if you understand your car.
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#333
Charles Bundy
iTrader: (5)
Last edited by Grace_Excel; 05-09-2013 at 01:41 PM.
#334
weeeeeeeeee
iTrader: (12)
Thanks guys. Restored my faith in humanity.
Quick recap: Yes, it is dumb. Fix it just as soon as you can afford it and stop telling the newbies its okay to do anything but that.
Grace do you monitor temps beyond the idiot gauge? Hopefully you're starting to see my point blown water seals and all...
Quick recap: Yes, it is dumb. Fix it just as soon as you can afford it and stop telling the newbies its okay to do anything but that.
Grace do you monitor temps beyond the idiot gauge? Hopefully you're starting to see my point blown water seals and all...
#335
Boosted Kiwi
iTrader: (2)
The factory coolant gauge is useless, it doesn't start moving until coolant temps reach 235-240F range. Coolant temps above 220F are death to the engine in a very quick manner as the factory coolant seals will fail beyond 220F so by the time your gauge starts moving to hot your engine may likely be toast already.
.
.
#336
SARX Legend
Thread Starter
iTrader: (46)
Factory coolant seals tend to fail above the 220F mark (at least that is what I have been told from the builders I have spoken with). The gauge doesn't move until 235F or so.
Sure, one could survive and overheating episode but if the gauge pegs you are probably in the 250F range and there is engine longevity damage being done there for sure. Stock coolant seals are just not meant to deal with that. Most engines will still run after an event like that but from what I have seen with guys who have done that, those engine tend not to last very long.
Sure, one could survive and overheating episode but if the gauge pegs you are probably in the 250F range and there is engine longevity damage being done there for sure. Stock coolant seals are just not meant to deal with that. Most engines will still run after an event like that but from what I have seen with guys who have done that, those engine tend not to last very long.
#337
weeeeeeeeee
iTrader: (12)
I measured 210F using the OE sensor (not gauge) and if it wasn't for my "faulty" fluid level light I likely would have overlooked it.
Jesse got to see it firsthand ... Twice I pulled over on the highway popped the hood, and scratched my head.
1 REmedy water pump, thermostat, hoses, and flush later I was back in business... And I did end up swapping out the bottle at the same time.
Jesse got to see it firsthand ... Twice I pulled over on the highway popped the hood, and scratched my head.
1 REmedy water pump, thermostat, hoses, and flush later I was back in business... And I did end up swapping out the bottle at the same time.
#338
Boosted Kiwi
iTrader: (2)
Factory coolant seals tend to fail above the 220F mark (at least that is what I have been told from the builders I have spoken with). The gauge doesn't move until 235F or so.
Sure, one could survive and overheating episode but if the gauge pegs you are probably in the 250F range and there is engine longevity damage being done there for sure. Stock coolant seals are just not meant to deal with that. Most engines will still run after an event like that but from what I have seen with guys who have done that, those engine tend not to last very long.
Sure, one could survive and overheating episode but if the gauge pegs you are probably in the 250F range and there is engine longevity damage being done there for sure. Stock coolant seals are just not meant to deal with that. Most engines will still run after an event like that but from what I have seen with guys who have done that, those engine tend not to last very long.
#340
FULLY SEMI AUTOMATIC
iTrader: (9)
the coolant light is there to tell you if your low on coolant. its the sensor in the coolant tank that fails.
the temp gauge shouldnt move past just under the halfway point. if it does turn your car off. yhea a real gauge is recomended. you can also check coolant temp with a cobb
the temp gauge shouldnt move past just under the halfway point. if it does turn your car off. yhea a real gauge is recomended. you can also check coolant temp with a cobb
#343
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Probably wouldn't hurt to get in contact with the MFG of the sensor for Mazda and ping them for information on the sensor that seems to be bad in so many rx8's. I unplugged mine. I watch my rx pretty close and at the end of the day it's my decision and as far as advise on this thread, I would caution that person against all the self appointed experts here, investigate your self man
.
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#345
Registered
It's not unique to Mazda. A friend with a Corvette has the same issue.
Ken
#347
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
Actually it isn't dumb to unplug it. There is a dash temp gauge , I suppose they put that there for a reason. Of course you could just leave it plugged in and pull out your hair on a regular basis or buy a new one every time the switch is bad and there are probably several threads and comments on how bad the switch is
, but I don't think it is Dumb my any measure if you understand your car.
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
.
#348
You gonna eat that?
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"Knowledge is good"
Emil Faber
Emil Faber
#350
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so, my 2004 8 is having this check coolant light issue..... It started back last summer, I would really have to step on it (7k RPM) and hold it there for maybe 10minutes, the light would come on, I'm wondering if there's any relation to indicate water pump failure?? (no the coolant level isn't low, probably pinky low.)