After a catastrophic failure on Father's Day (see Total everything failure and other related thrwads), the car is mostly back together. It was never the ECM, although I sent it for testing anyway. As it turns out, it was the voltage regulator shorting and blowing a 10A fuse that runs the ECM and a few other things.

I am still receiving an engine fault message and transmission fault message and wonder if that will clear on its own, since there is nothing wrong with either.

The other thing is that my coolant gauge is not working. I did not come close to the sending unit, which is under the engine covers -- I did not remove those. The red light in the gauge comes indicating, I assume, that it has power. I did lose some antifreeze when I disconnected the top radiator hose to remove the alternator. I was waiting for the thermostat to open so that I could refill. Could that mean there is no fluid to run by the coolant sensor thereby registering nothing? Should I drive it to ensure that the thermostat opens?

Thanks!

 

With the car cold, remove the filler on the expansion tank and top it up to full. Run the engine with the cap off. As it warms up water will be seen flowing through the tank - plus a lot of bubbles as it purges. When the thermostat opens it will get hot water through. Switch off, top up again and put the cap back on. Check it a day later after using the car.

 

Thanks Jim. Learned that one the hard way. Was going around the same curve as on Father's Day -- same one where the catastrophic occurred -- and darned if the thing didn't begin to overheat. Instantly shut it down eerily near the exact same spot where I awaited a flat bed some 6 or so weeks ago. Anyway, topped it up, topped it up again, and will top it again in the morning once it cools.

My trouble codes are now gone. The only thing left is the cooling fans. They came on when I first fired it up and allowed it to get to temp. But I have not heard them since. Fuses are OK. I thought they came on automatically with the AC?

Anyway, mostly back to normal, whatever that is.

Madbrad

 

The fans should come on with the A/C. There is still something wrong.

 

Codes are now clear. All fans working. Temp gauge back on track. All is good again after a 6 week battle.

Thanks for everyone's support.

 

Good News. Fingers crossed it's all fixed now.