I replaced my VC Gaskets, did an oil change, coolant & PS flush as some pre-winter maintenance.
When I put everything thing back together everything seemed fine until i started the car next morning and the red flashing coolant light started to display. I rechecked all of my work (mostly to see if any sensors that were unplugged) and the only issue i saw was one of the wires from the bottom of the coolant expansion tank was pulled from the plug. I took the plug apart soldiered the wire and put everything back together and the light turned off.
Two days later I leave my office, the exterior temp is around 28 degrees & 5 minutes into my drive the coolant light starts flashing again. I park the car when i get home ( 6 miles) and the fans are on full blast as i pull in the garage, when i shut the car off they ramp down and are off within a min. I pulled the code on the ECS v-checker I have and got P3081- Engine temp low
- The car warms up correctly (within a couple mins of driving) and the water temp gauge reads consistently in the middle; never goes over & does not drop going down hill
- When the car is warm the heat blows strong nothing out of the ordinary
- No check engine light, just the flashing red coolant indicator
- When i clear the code doesn't come back until a couple mins driving after a cold start, usually sitting over a day
I was hoping the knowledge here could reinstate my thoughts to insure I do not replace parts that are functioning correctly.
- Can not be the thermostat since the car does warm up and blows heat as well as does not over heat.
- Not the coolant level sensor since the code relates to cold engine coolant temps as well as the fans staying kicking on.
- Replace the coolant temp sensor (green sensor in the back of the engine under the PCV) first as it is the cheapest fix or go another route?
- Possibly just bad timing of this occurring after "preventative maintenance"?
Thanks for your help guys
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