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coolant light in '94 Pete?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by coadman, Jun 21, 2009.

  1. Jun 21, 2009 #1
    coadman

    coadman Light Load Member

    153
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    Dec 20, 2008
    Freeport,Kansas
    0
    We have a 1994 Peterbilt 377 with a Detroit motor(runs very well,by the way). Son has been hauling wheat the past few days with the truck. Started up the truck yesterday morning, and his low coolant light came on. He checked the coolant and sure enough it was low so he added a gallon or so. Light went off then came back on when he had been down the road aways. Then I think he said it went back off for about 50 miles then came back on. Temp gauge is running right around the 180 degree mark, and it never has acted like it is getting hot.

    On an C/IH combine we have that has a Cummins motor in it, once I drained the water down to add antifreeze, started it back up and my coolant light came on. I knew it wasnt hot or low, so looked in the manual for info. Seems like when it is low and you add coolant, you have to "burp" the air out of the system, via a little pet #### on side of motor. Once I did that, no more coolant light.

    Does this Detroit have something like this, I should be looking at? Or if the coolant level is ok, could it be a suspect sensor?
    thanks,
    coadman
     
    coadman, Jun 21, 2009
    coadman, Jun 21, 2009
    #1
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  3. Jun 21, 2009 #2
    Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    Feb 4, 2009
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    Burping the air shouldn't be needed if you are just topping up a gallon or so. Are you saying you have to keep adding coolant? If the system is full, but the light keeps coming on intermittently, usually what happens since the sensor is probably old the tip has a layer of scale deposits on it that is preventing it from sensing the coolant. Even if it has worked all this time, once the coolant gets down and that layer of scale gets a chance to dry and gets exposed to air it will seal right up. But if the coolant level keeps dropping it isn't because it needs to be burped, something is wrong. Hopefully you only have a simple hose leak, or waterpump leak.
     
    Heavyd, Jun 21, 2009
    Heavyd, Jun 21, 2009
    #2
  4. Jun 21, 2009 #3
    coadman

    coadman Light Load Member

    153
    26
    Dec 20, 2008
    Freeport,Kansas
    0
    The coolant level didnt drop yesterday, after he topped it off, but he only made a 100 mile roundtrip in the rain.
     
    coadman, Jun 21, 2009
    coadman, Jun 21, 2009
    #3
  5. Jun 22, 2009 #4
    FYDA FREIGHTLINER CINCY

    FYDA FREIGHTLINER CINCY Light Load Member

    270
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    Apr 28, 2009
    Cincinnati, ohio
    0
    it could be a bad sensor. also tug on the wires at the sensor, they should not feel spongy or pull out of the plug. if they are they will need to be replaced
     
    FYDA FREIGHTLINER CINCY, Jun 22, 2009
    FYDA FREIGHTLINER CINCY, Jun 22, 2009
    #4
  7. Jun 26, 2009 #5
    GENX_KW_PARTSGUY

    GENX_KW_PARTSGUY Bobtail Member

    12
    0
    Jun 23, 2009
    olathe, ks
    0
    94 with 60 series??? probably the sensor test it most common problem on the older detroits on single screw terminal??? if it test good make sure there is no moisture on it at the terminal when installed. it can confuse the sensor and make it read wrong. usually more common on newer ones.... probably need a 23520380 detroit number good luck
     
    GENX_KW_PARTSGUY, Jun 26, 2009
    GENX_KW_PARTSGUY, Jun 26, 2009
    #5
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