Just a little concerned, probably nothing to worry too much about because here in Indiana it'* like 5 degrees below(not windchill). Went to star my 90 SSE and when I turned the key got nothing the first two or three times then it fired up. I notice that when it is really cold out the low coolant indicator lights up. Since the coolant level and consistancy is good it is probably the low coolant sensor. I am wondering if the sensor might have something to do with the fowl starts but I doubt it. I think it is most likely just a sending unit to the gage. Anyone ever change one and know where it is located and whether I will have to drain the coolant to change it?

If your car is the same as later models, the sensor is located about halfway down the passenger side tank on the engine side of the radiator. If you have a selection of plugs and stoppers, you can plug the hole when you remove the sensor to change it. I just unplugged the electrical connector from mine when it quit working, and simple cleaning and replacement did not restore function.

If you want to avoid spilling a drop, siphon the side tank with a thin vinyl hose into a gallon jug. That will get you down below the sensor.

When my '92 SSEi sensor failed, I was too cheap to replace the part, and tried removing it and cleaning it. Worked for a while then sent the same false signal. I eventually just unplugged the sensor. Light goes out when you do. Then you check your own coolant level.

Here is a little tool I made from a nail to help unplug the electrical connector and the rubber stopper for plugging the hole if you want to try to clean it.

I believe I have the older era and it is sooo cold out there right now I don't want to even look. I did order a new one from Rockauto.com for like $20.00 today and will get to it when it warms up a bit. It is most likely around the same location in my car and I really appreciate you help. Last year I had the hardest time debugging a starting problem even in the warm weather though. It would start one day and not the next and then it would start up again. I replaced the ecu, cleaned out the fuel injection and later down the road I found it to be the ignition module. The garage I took it to wouldn't tell me what it was because they loved taking my money. When I went out today and it just clicked it brought back old memories only I'm sure it was just something froze for a second. The difference is though that it would crank over before. But that answers my question that the coolant sensor doesn't alter the cars perfomance but that it is just a dash indicator.

"just clicks" usually means that the battery is low, the cables are loose or corroded, or the starter is shot.

or its soo cold the battery doesn't have full power. Try turning on the headlights for 5 minutes first to warm it up.