LOW ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT ON DURING SUSTAINED DRIVE. Chevrolet Cavalier 1997

SUBJECT: LOW ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT ON DURING SUSTAINED DRIVING AT MODERATE TO HIGH ENGINE RPM (REPLACE COOLING SYSTEM SURGE TANK)

MODELS: 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE 1997 TOYOTA CAVALIER BUILT FROM SOP THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1996

CONDITION:

SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE LOW ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE DURING SUSTAINED DRIVING AT MODERATE TO HIGH ENGINE RPM.

CAUSE:

THE DESIGN OF THE BAFFLES IN THE COOLING SYSTEM SURGE TANK COUPLED WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT AIR BLEED PIPE ALLOW HIGH COOLANT FLOW. THIS MAY ALLOW THE COOLANT SENSOR CAVITY IN THE SURGE TANK TO HAVE AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF COOLANT DURING SUSTAINED DRIVING AT MODERATE TO HIGH ENGINE RPM. THIS MAY CAUSE THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE EVEN IF THE SYSTEM IS PROPERLY FILLED.

CORRECTION:

VERIFY THAT THE SYSTEM IS PROPERLY FILLED AND FREE OF LEAKS. IF THE CONDITION IS STILL PRESENT, REPLACE THE COOLING SYSTEM SURGE TANK WITH THE REVISED DESIGN (SEE BELOW FOR P/N'S). REFER TO THE 1997 SERVICE MANUAL.

PARTS INFORMATION:

OLD P/N NEW P/N DESCRIPTION ======= ======= ===========

22600776 22605500 FOR CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE

22652034 22605501 FOR TOYOTA CAVALIER

PARTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE APRIL 28, 1997.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

FOR VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, USE:

LABOR OPERATION NUMBER DESCRIPTION LABOR TIME =============== =========== ==========

J3250 TANK, RADIATOR COOLANT USE PUBLISHED LABOR SURGE - R+R OR REPLACE OPERATION TIME

FIGURES: 00 ATTACHMENTS: 00

GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE TECHNICIANS OF CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES, OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST IN THE PROPER SERVICE OF A VEHICLE. PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND KNOW-HOW TO DO A JOB PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IF A CONDITION IS DESCRIBED, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BULLETIN APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, OR THAT YOUR VEHICLE WILL HAVE THAT CONDITION. SEE A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.