I can't help you with the rough engine. Maybe someone else can.
The coolant light is one of many tiny little engineering things with the Cougar1 ('99-'00), though this problem might also affect the Cougar2 ('01-'02) but I don't know if that was changed, which don't work right on all units. The problem is a faulty sensor that throws out a low level warning before the coolant drops below the MAX line, let alone the MIN line. You can safely top the reservoir off to about an inch over the MAX line without risking a spill as the reservoir fills due to coolant expansion.
Check the Coolant system, there is a coolant temp sensor that will cause the engine to do this if it is not actually in contact with the coolant. You will need to vacuum drain the coolant, refill then bleed all the air out of the system. On my legend this happened until realized the radiator cap was bad, it had lost it's seal so the coolant system lost pressure. I didn't realize because the coolant reservoir was full, but there was no pressure to pull the coolant through the system. It could possibly be the idle speed motor needing to be cleaned as well. Once I cleaned mine I haven't had any problems ever since.
coolant temp sensor,does just what it says,it relays your coolant temp to gauges!
In Subarus the temp control for the heater does not control the coolant flow, just airflow past the heater core. If you get no heat, there is no coolant in the heater core -- either there is no coolant or it is not circulating.
Low coolant? Heater core restricted or plugged? Heater core airbound? Water pump not circulating coolant? Heater control cable not adjusted properly? With mine it was Heater matrix clogged with radiator sealant. The workshop cleaned it and it's start working fine!
Yes
bad heater core, heater hose blockage, low coolant, bad heater valve, bad control head. With my car, it was Heater matrix clogged with radiator sealant. The workshop cleaned it and it's start working fine!
A coolant system temperature sensor controls it. : CHILTON calls it the cylinder head temperature sensor. Some after market manufacturers call it the coolant temperature sensor. These are equivalent.
check fuse 5 (7.5A) Recrit switch Fuse 25 (25A) Blower Switch Fuse 16 (10A) Coolant Fan Control Module Fuse 3 (30A) Coolant Fan Control Module Fuse 8 (30A) Coolant Fan Control Thermal Switch
Make sure you have coolant. Get your carbs synced and cleaned. Those things fixed my problems. Good Luck.
I should have stated that the jug appeared halved internaly.
These fuses and control unit control that big fan motor on your radiator.
do you mean the thermostat