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Red Low Coolant Light Warning

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by h-dogg, Jan 9, 2022.

  1. h-dogg

    h-dogg Junior Member

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    My wife's 2012 Prius v (133k miles) had the red low coolant light warning on for <1 minute and went away while driving on the freeway. The car drove normally, so didn't noticed anything changed from the warning.

    I checked the next day and noticed that the engine coolant reservoir container had coolant spot residue everywhere and some on the passenger engine side. I figure the pressure must've released some coolant when driving. I cleaned the area and drove around and didn't notice any leaks or warning light.

    Have any of y'all experience this? Water pump ready to go? Head gasket going?

    Oil level is good and clean. The only issue I see is slow oil seepage in maybe timing chain tensioner area (always caked with oil).

    I'll start monitoring the car every few days to see if I get leaks on the reservoir area. If so, I'll make an appt. with a mechanic.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 h-dogg, Jan 9, 2022
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I don't believe that there is such a light. If you saw a red light shaped like a thermometer, it is a high coolant temperature light.

    Or, if you're positive it was a low coolant light, could you try to describe it in some detail, its shape or its location on the dash?

    I don't believe the car has any coolant level sensor that could be used to operate a low coolant light.
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Jan 9, 2022
  3. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    AND.....through out his whole description of what he did and what he observed......
    Never once did he say anything about the actual level of coolant present in the bottle or the actual radiator.
     
    #3 sam spade 2, Jan 9, 2022
  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Yes you likely have a water pump going out.
     
    #4 rjparker, Jan 9, 2022
  5. h-dogg

    h-dogg Junior Member

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    @ChapmanF: You're right, it was the high coolant light. I checked and it seemed to be at the Low line and filled it right to the Full or crease in the bottle.

    What's the typical life of a water pump?
     
    #5 h-dogg, Jan 9, 2022
  6. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    He never said that.
    And there is no coolant level light......neither high or low.

    Are you trying to say "high coolant temperature" ?
     
    #6 sam spade 2, Jan 10, 2022
  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I figured that was probably what h-dogg meant.
     
    #7 ChapmanF, Jan 10, 2022
  8. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    If you are trying to be helpful, try to realize you might know more than the new guy.
     
    #8 rjparker, Jan 10, 2022
  9. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    Might be the head gasket
     
    #9 Tim Jones, Jan 10, 2022
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