Why might I see a low engine coolant light after an emissions test?

Question

I took an Ontario drive clean emissions test at a Canadian tire and now I have a low coolant light on. The car is a 2001 Pontiac sunfire.

Any experts have an idea? I did see a lot of liquid below the car when I finished my test but I assumed it was from the air conditioning.

Answer 1

Low fluid sensor lights can give false readings, but until you make sure the radiator and coolant reservoir are full, you won't know for sure. Who knows what can happen when you have your vehicle in a shop? It could be a coincidence or it could be connected with the shop visit. So you need to have the radiator and reservoir coolant level checked. If they're both full of coolant, then you know the low coolant light is a false indication. You can simply check your coolant levels every few weeks and disregard the low coolant light or get the low coolant light fixed. Remember that older vehicles never had "low fluid level" sensors because people were used to checking the fluid levels themselves. It's possible you may have a bad water pump or other leak in the coolant system so keep an eye on your dash coolant temperature gauge. You can damage your engine quickly if you don't pull over when the engine overheats. Your car's owner's manual tells you what to do when dash warning indictions appear.

Answer 2

Because you have a low coolant level. The emissions test has nothing to do with it. That is just your mind trying to create an association where none exists.

Answer 3

I have never heard of a cav from 98 I though they were finished in 95. There is probably just a fault with the wireing or another faulty sensor. At the worst I will be a faulty ECU but with cars age I would just say a fault with the wiring.