light on after roll over accident

[waldo]

Hello,

i had an accident with my 94 sklark 3.1 it wasnt too bad i hit some ice and went into a deep snow covered ditch where the car slowly rolled onto the top. minimal damage and drives fine (only going 20 mph)

It runs fine and no problems mechanic looked it over flushed all the oil out of the top of the engine it smoked for 10 minutes then cleared up.

But i have a few questions for those who are mechanics,

1. My low coolant light wont go off. I have no leaks and the coolant is full but still it wont go off. Pls the car operates at its normal temp. Is there a sensor that could have malfunctioned [not like a coolant temp sensor more like a fluid level sensor if there is such a thing)?

2. All i have are 2 fist size dents that i couldnt get out of the top. that was done with a scution cup like device. I never used one before but it worked well, i just was wondering if there is a methode of getting the additional 2 dents out without going to the bodyshop and dropping 500.00?

thanks for the help in advance.

 

[Curious Kid]

Waldo,

Good to hear your ok.

Though I'm not a professional mechanic...I noted on my volvo when having to replace the coolant overflow tank, it contained a level sender. It consisted of a donut shaped float that rides a tube that's formed within the tank. Inside the tube, is probably something as simple as a magnetic reed switch, with the magnet contained in the donut. Check to see if a like sender unit device isn't stuck/jammed into the low position (make sure it moves freely with changes in fluid level). Also, look for a connector coming from the overflow tank (most likely a two-pin/blade connection), and make sure it's not disconnected or having a corroded connection.

As far as the small dents in the body panels, I was able to work out one that was the diameter of my head left by a run-a-way shopping cart on the tailgate of my wagon. I removed the inner finish panel, and after marking the dent perimeters with a marker from the backside, I then used a hammer and piece of 2x4. Locate the dents "center", and what you think would be the most appropriate place one could "push-out" the dent. Make every hammer tap count, thus not deforming the metal anymore than necessary. There's other ways for sure that require special metal forming pieces, dead weights to hammer against and even the use of a draw hammer to pull with (requires a whole through the panel), but to which I don't have access to.

After I was through I sprayed wax on the inner panel where I was working to protect against moisture attack through any cracks of the galvanized finish. Unfortunately, the dent left two small crease points that up close, display micro spidering of the paint film - which appears sound otherwise.

 

[waldo]

thanks for the info i am going to take the overflow tank of this week and look.

As for the 2 dents on the roof i am getting estimates that range from 150 (that doesnt include pain that is just a pain free dent pulling system that basically is a similar sucktion cup device that i already used, although i never used one before i am sure he is pretty good at it and his isnt a cheap 10.00 puller from an autoparts store. ) to 500.00

The 150 guy said he could get it close but it will not be perfect and will leave some ripples?

anyway thanks

 

[Chris142]

Some of those cars have a low coolant level deal attached to the radiator tank. usually on the passenger side about 3/4 way up the tank.

Lightly tap on the sensor with a screwdriver.It may go off.

 

[srivett]

FWIW VW coolant sensors are two electrodes in the fluid. They conduct electricity when there is enough coolant.

For the dents, can you peel out the roof liner and push them out by hand? If you can feel them maybe you can do it without removing the liner. It would be harder to do if the dents are near the edge of the roof.

Steve