Coolant Temperature Light Flashing after Tire Blowout

[krftwrk]

I had an unfortunate wintertime run-in with an enormous pothole at (US) interstate highway speeds (2000 Boxster). I dented the left rear rim pretty good and also blew the tire as a result. As soon as this happened, my Coolant Temp light started flashing at a slow speed. I've seen elsewhere the descriptions for the slow flash (i.e low coolant, coolant temp too high, or maybe engine compartment temp too high?). I'm somewhat new to this car (<9 mo. owner), so I'm not sure what I should check next. My coolant level is topped up just like usual. (I had the reservoir changed last fall). I see no leaks. The temp gauge is steady at 180° or so just like normal. Any ideas what I might have damaged when this happened? Is it happening on the left side a clue? I have a Durametric which I will connect when it warms up in a few days. Just curious what I might be up against. Thanks in advance.

[JFP in PA]

I had an unfortunate wintertime run-in with an enormous pothole at (US) interstate highway speeds (2000 Boxster). I dented the left rear rim pretty good and also blew the tire as a result. As soon as this happened, my Coolant Temp light started flashing at a slow speed. I've seen elsewhere the descriptions for the slow flash (i.e low coolant, coolant temp too high, or maybe engine compartment temp too high?). I'm somewhat new to this car (<9 mo. owner), so I'm not sure what I should check next. My coolant level is topped up just like usual. (I had the reservoir changed last fall). I see no leaks. The temp gauge is steady at 180° or so just like normal. Any ideas what I might have damaged when this happened? Is it happening on the left side a clue? I have a Durametric which I will connect when it warms up in a few days. Just curious what I might be up against. Thanks in advance.

 

As the car must have taken a jolt when you hit the pothole, the plug connector on the temp sensor or the surge tank level sensor may have come loose.  Suggest checking them for a tight connections.

[ARModen]

I believe a blink indicates low level, solid is high temperature, so check the level detector.  Also make sure you look into the reservoir, that plastic sight glass isn't a real good indication.

[JFP in PA]

I believe a blink indicates low level, solid is high temperature, so check the level detector.  Also make sure you look into the reservoir, that plastic sight glass isn't a real good indication.

 

Four functions of the coolant warning light:

1. Engine coolant level too low

— light flashes slowly (0.5 Hz)

2. Engine compartment temperature too high

— light flashes slowly (0.5 Hz) (engine compartment blower might be faulty)

3. Engine coolant temperature too high

— light is lit; pointer on the right

4. Temperature sensor at water outlet faulty

— light flashes rapidly (1 Hz); pointer on the right

Note

The temperature warning in point three is indicated if the conditions "engine coolant temperature too high" and "engine coolant level too low" are present simultaneously 

(1Hz = 1 flash per second.  0.5Hz = 2 seconds per flash)

 

[krftwrk]

As the car must have taken a jolt when you hit the pothole, the plug connector on the temp sensor or the surge tank level sensor may have come loose.  Suggest checking them for a tight connections.

 

Just so I understand the terminology here… 

 

a. temp sensor: is that the sensor that i can find here in green?

 

 

b. the " surge tank level sensor". is that the wire that goes to the bottom of the coolant reservoir in the rear trunk like this one noted in yellow here?

 

From other places I've read that there is also the possibility that my "engine compartment blower" could be bad. (or one of the aforementioned sensors). Where is the location of the blower? 

Sorry for the noobie questions. Still learning. Thanks again.

[JFP in PA]

 

As the car must have taken a jolt when you hit the pothole, the plug connector on the temp sensor or the surge tank level sensor may have come loose.  Suggest checking them for a tight connections.

 

Just so I understand the terminology here… 

 

a. temp sensor: is that the sensor that i can find here in green?

 

 

b. the " surge tank level sensor". is that the wire that goes to the bottom of the coolant reservoir in the rear trunk like this one noted in yellow here?

 

From other places I've read that there is also the possibility that my "engine compartment blower" could be bad. (or one of the aforementioned sensors). Where is the location of the blower? 

Sorry for the noobie questions. Still learning. Thanks again.

 

 

A. Yes.

 

B. Yes.

 

The engine compartment fan assembly is in the engine bay, adjacent to the vent on the passenger's (U.S. model) side.  If you have access to the Durametric software, you can ask it to turn the fan on without the car running, and you should hear it.

[krftwrk]

 

A. Yes.

 

B. Yes.

 

The engine compartment fan assembly is in the engine bay, adjacent to the vent on the passenger's (U.S. model) side.  If you have access to the Durametric software, you can ask it to turn the fan on without the car running, and you should hear it.

 

Well, I'll be! JFP was right. The temp sensor checked out OK. The coolant reservoir sensor was the problem. The wire and connector were attached OK. But the sensor kind of goes into the bottom of the tank with a half turn. It had become dislodged from the tank and was just kind of hanging there. My guess is that when my mechanic installed the new tank last fall, he must not have securely screwed in the sensor and the pothole jolt was enough for it to finally come loose. I'm surprised it didn't fail sooner. 

Thanks everyone for the assistance and especially to JFP who was right on the money about where to look. Managed to swap out my air filter while I was checking the temp sensor, so double plus good. Warm weather coming soon! :) 

Best.

Edited March 9, 2015 by krftwrk

[JFP in PA]

 

 

A. Yes.

 

B. Yes.

 

The engine compartment fan assembly is in the engine bay, adjacent to the vent on the passenger's (U.S. model) side.  If you have access to the Durametric software, you can ask it to turn the fan on without the car running, and you should hear it.

 

Well, I'll be! JFP was right. The temp sensor checked out OK. The coolant reservoir sensor was the problem. The wire and connector were attached OK. But the sensor kind of goes into the bottom of the tank with a half turn. It had become dislodged from the tank and was just kind of hanging there. My guess is that when my mechanic installed the new tank last fall, he must not have securely screwed in the sensor and the pothole jolt was enough for it to finally come loose. I'm surprised it didn't fail sooner. 

Thanks everyone for the assistance and especially to JFP who was right on the money about where to look. Managed to swap out my air filter while I was checking the temp sensor, so double plus good. Warm weather coming soon! :) 

Best.

 

 

There are only a few things that it could be; glad you got it sorted.  :thumbup: