Washer Fluid Low

Denali_Joe · February 15, 2010

So, washed up the 08 Sierra on Friday and shortly after the Washer Fluid Low warning came up on the DIC. So, went to fill it up and barely got 1/4 gallon in it and it was full. Won't go away. WTF?

I tried re-seating the plug on the bottom of the washer fluid tank, but I think it was for the motor.

Any suggestions or am I going to have to replace the stupid sensor?

THanks.

Joe

Dzlbudman · February 15, 2010

Should be covered under war. Bring it to the dealer

Denali_Joe · February 15, 2010

44k miles, no more warranty for me. boo

Zembonez · February 15, 2010

Is there a level float in those tanks? Perhaps whatever indicates full is stuck in another position?

Bluedog · February 15, 2010

Did you try to push and hold the check mark button to reset it?

dlewis1111 · February 15, 2010

Did you wash under the hood? The connector may be wet shorting it out so it thinks its low on fluid. Disconnect the sensor, does the DIC message go away? Dry the connector out and try again.

Denali_Joe · February 15, 2010

Thanks for all the quick replies! I didn't wash under the hood, however the car wash had an "underbody" spray, gotta keep that salt off! I'll look for a float in that thing and I'll pull that extra battery tray off of the top to get a better look at the tank and locate the low coolant sensor/float. I did try the check mark on the DIC to reset, no go.

pm26 · February 15, 2010

A DIC warning is not to be taken lightly.

dlewis1111 · February 15, 2010

A DIC warning is not to be taken lightly.

I have been warned before that I am a DIC sometimes!

Denali_Joe · February 15, 2010

A DIC warning is not to be taken lightly.

I have yet to see a "Head" warning on the DIC

Denali_Joe · February 16, 2010

So, I got the light to go off. I removed the 2nd battery tray and got a better look at the fluid reservoir. It appeared as there was an air pocket between the fluid in the reservoir and the fluid in the neck. I was thinking vapor lock or something? I straightened out a coat hanger and jammed it in there and wiggled it around a bunch to agitate it and try and get the air to burp out. Didn't have much luck, so I got a small hose and siphoned out the fluid in the neck and then topped it back off. Checked the DIC and no more angry messages.

I don't know if the problem was truly vapor lock or if when I wiggled the coat hanger around in the reservoir that I knocked a float loose that was in there, like a sump pump float or something. Its just weird because the light came on and I bet the reservoir was 3/4 at least. However, the light is off, WOO HOO!!!

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

Crazy Canuck · February 16, 2010

So, I got the light to go off. I removed the 2nd battery tray and got a better look at the fluid reservoir. It appeared as there was an air pocket between the fluid in the reservoir and the fluid in the neck. I was thinking vapor lock or something? I straightened out a coat hanger and jammed it in there and wiggled it around a bunch to agitate it and try and get the air to burp out. Didn't have much luck, so I got a small hose and siphoned out the fluid in the neck and then topped it back off. Checked the DIC and no more angry messages.

I don't know if the problem was truly vapor lock or if when I wiggled the coat hanger around in the reservoir that I knocked a float loose that was in there, like a sump pump float or something. Its just weird because the light came on and I bet the reservoir was 3/4 at least. However, the light is off, WOO HOO!!!

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

Could the fluid have been frozen? I know a lot of folks up this way have trouble with the tanks cracking after they run the summer bug crap and forget to switch to the antifreeze stuff in winter. Maybe is slushed up a bit and the float got stuck down?

Denali_Joe · February 17, 2010

So, I got the light to go off. I removed the 2nd battery tray and got a better look at the fluid reservoir. It appeared as there was an air pocket between the fluid in the reservoir and the fluid in the neck. I was thinking vapor lock or something? I straightened out a coat hanger and jammed it in there and wiggled it around a bunch to agitate it and try and get the air to burp out. Didn't have much luck, so I got a small hose and siphoned out the fluid in the neck and then topped it back off. Checked the DIC and no more angry messages.

I don't know if the problem was truly vapor lock or if when I wiggled the coat hanger around in the reservoir that I knocked a float loose that was in there, like a sump pump float or something. Its just weird because the light came on and I bet the reservoir was 3/4 at least. However, the light is off, WOO HOO!!!

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

Could the fluid have been frozen? I know a lot of folks up this way have trouble with the tanks cracking after they run the summer bug crap and forget to switch to the antifreeze stuff in winter. Maybe is slushed up a bit and the float got stuck down?

I'm sure, but that's a great possibility I didn't think of. However I didn't see any slush in the tank and didn't have probs with the siphon getting plugged or sucking any slush up. My truck is garaged and fortunately it's insulated so it never gets below freezing. Water bottles on the floor don't freeze. I got my truck washed Friday afternoon and then I went out on Friday a couple hours later and the message came on when I started the truck to leave and didn't go away. Happy its gone now!