Can Low Coolant Cause a Check Engine Error?

Overview

The PCM and Low Coolant

Low coolant in the radiator of your car can trigger the malfunction illumination light (MIL), also known as the "check engine" light. Low coolant can affect the internal temperature of the engine, which is protected by the antifreeze. When the coolant is too low to effectively protect the internal temperature of the engine, the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor will provide a false reading to the powertrain control module (PCM). Once the PCM detects the anomaly in the coolant system, the ECT fails to communicate the necessary voltage signal from the PCM, which turns on the "check engine" light.

Coolant Temperature Sensor

The coolant temperature sensor regulates the internal temperature of the combustion engine. Initialized in OBD (on-board diagnostic) and OBD II (vehicles manufactured from 1996 and beyond), the sensor is immersed in the coolant system in order to monitor the coolant protection level. Low coolant will not provide enough temperature protection to sufficiently control the internal heat. As a result, the ECT sensor can be compromised.

Will Adding Coolant Solve the Problem?

Maybe, but there's no guarantee damage hasn't been done to either the ECT sensor or the thermostat. Top off the radiator with the proper antifreeze, and see what happens. It will take a few hours driving at normal vehicle operating temperature for the ECT to communicate to the PCM and reset the MIL. If the "check engine" light does not reset, further diagnosis will be required to determine what needs to be replaced.

In many cases, when the ECT sensor fails, the "check coolant" light will illuminate--if applicable to the specific vehicle--in addition to the MIL.