scott y Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 Can anyone explain the way the surge tank switch works? Today I took out the battery in order to replace the serpintine belt and idler pulley bearings, and I noticed the switch connection(2 wires)at the front,bottom of the tank. I disconnected the plug and the whole thing came out! Roughly an inch and a half long is the sensor and the oring that seals it was in need of replacement,so that was done. It seems to me that it is a resistor of some type but was amazed at how it came out.Ithought that it was some kind of seal, but it doesn't leak.Is there coolant in there or is it like some kind of temp sensor rather than a level sensor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 This is a coolant level switch/sensor. They are replaceable as you can see, I would remove the tank, flush it good, replace the orings if you can and reinstall the switch. You might be able to use some sort of O2 sensor safe sealant to make sure it does not leak Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott y Posted February 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 Mike, it doesn't leak, as I said I replaced the oring only because it was so deteriorated. If you were to pull out the switch(plug included) there is no coolant.The switch itself is dry,it looks like a resistor mounted on a plastic probe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 Can anyone explain the way the surge tank switch works? Today I took out the battery in order to replace the serpintine belt and idler pulley bearings, and I noticed the switch connection(2 wires)at the front,bottom of the tank. I disconnected the plug and the whole thing came out! Roughly an inch and a half long is the sensor and the oring that seals it was in need of replacement,so that was done. It seems to me that it is a resistor of some type but was amazed at how it came out.Ithought that it was some kind of seal, but it doesn't leak.Is there coolant in there or is it like some kind of temp sensor rather than a level sensor? All of this could be just typing drill for me but you decide if any part of it applies to your 1994 model. The following applies to your 2002 model. The part you removed is a 'reed' switch that is actuated by magnetic flux. The reed switch is NOT exposed to the coolant in the tank. The magnetic flux comes from a permanent magnet that is part of a float mechanism located inside the tank. Coolant above a certain level = switch in open position. Coolant below an acceptable level = switch in closed position. IF you can find a glue or chemical miracle that will withstand the 200+ degree temperatures of the tank, simply clean the parts and glue the sensor back in place. I have no idea why there would be an O ring at that location. Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 Mike, it doesn't leak, as I said I replaced the oring only because it was so deteriorated. If you were to pull out the switch(plug included) there is no coolant.The switch itself is dry,it looks like a resistor mounted on a plastic probe Interesting, I have not ever changed one of these, I changed the tank but not the level switch. Given the oring, I assumed that it was in a wet condition. Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott y Posted February 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 The way that thing so easily popped out would be an extremely weak link on the cooling system...Yes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 The way that thing so easily popped out would be an extremely weak link on the cooling system...Yes? That certainly seems to be the case Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 Here ya go. Surge tank dissected, pictures and all. http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-deville-1985-2005-including-1985/230400-2000-2005-surge-tank-dissection.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott y Posted February 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 Thank you very much,Ranger.That puts an end to my wonderings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 The float looks larger than the switch. How does the float get attached to the new switch upon reassembly? Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 The float looks larger than the switch. How does the float get attached to the new switch upon reassembly? The switch and the float are not mechanically connected. See post #4. Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 The switch and the float are not mechanically connected. See post #4. It sounds like the float is trapped in the tank so it aligns with the reed switch. What seals/retains the switch to the tank so it does not leak or get blown out? Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 The switch and the float are not mechanically connected. See post #4. It sounds like the float is trapped in the tank so it aligns with the reed switch. What seals/retains the switch to the tank so it does not leak or get blown out? I was thinking the same thing Kevin, I didnt know it worked this way Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 The switch and the float are not mechanically connected. See post #4. It sounds like the float is trapped in the tank so it aligns with the reed switch. Correct. The float has a limited amount of vertical movement in a narrow channel. What seals/retains the switch to the tank so it does not leak or get blown out? I have not touched a "new" tank so if there is a designed adhesive or chemical bond I have no idea. Basically a tight friction fit. There is nothing to leak. Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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