Thanx for all the replies - your insight has likely saved me $$$! The wife drove it the other day and said the coolant level indicator came on too. (Now I recall that happening several months ago and I just topped it off forgetting it altogther)

I'll look for a coolant leak somewhere. Since this engine is differrent than what I am used to (GMC) I assume the tstat is under the top hose bib? (I'l look where nhdoc had the issue first)

thanx again!