Temp Light and Fan issue

rickb6959 · 07-16-2011, 11:16 AM

The other day riding home from work through town when it was 100 degrees. I noticed an a stop light my temp light came on and my fan was not working. When I took off the temp light went off but I could never get my fan to come on even when I stopped at a light. The temp light never came on again. I checked my fuses and connections and everything is good. I did notice about a month ago my battery is a little weaker on start up. Would the battery have anything to do with my fan not working?hope I don't need a temp sensor it may take a dealer a month to order one and my riding season will be shot.

Thanks

ponch · 07-16-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickb6959

The other day riding home from work through town when it was 100 degrees. I noticed an a stop light my temp light came on and my fan was not working. When I took off the temp light went off but I could never get my fan to come on even when I stopped at a light. The temp light never came on again. I checked my fuses and connections and everything is good. I did notice about a month ago my battery is a little weaker on start up. Would the battery have anything to do with my fan not working?hope I don't need a temp sensor it may take a dealer a month to order one and my riding season will be shot.

Thanks

A bad battery can cause computer problems on cars and bikes, so it could be. The only other thing I can think of is the coolant sensor that runs the fan. Did you try jumping that to see if the fan comes on? That could be bad or may be sediment in the radiator/cooling system is screwing with the sensor. When was the last time you flushed the coolant system?

macmac · 07-16-2011, 02:47 PM

Look on the rad for the fan temp switch, and pull it off. With a jumper or a paper clip made "U" shape plug the jumper right in. The fan should run even with the Ignition OFF.

If not with a ice pick test light check the plug for power. One side is hot all the time.

If you get no light check the fuses.

And spin the fan with a finger, only with the engine cold...... Make sure the bearings are not bound up.

rickb6959 · 07-16-2011, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macmac

Look on the rad for the fan temp switch, and pull it off. With a jumper or a paper clip made "U" shape plug the jumper right in. The fan should run even with the Ignition OFF.

If not with a ice pick test light check the plug for power. One side is hot all the time.

If you get no light check the fuses.

And spin the fan with a finger, only with the engine cold...... Make sure the bearings are not bound up.

Fan spins freely. all fuses and connectors are good. I will disconnect my fan and hook it up to 12 V and see if it runs. If it runs I guess it is a bad sensor.

Dave · 07-16-2011, 07:08 PM

I've never heard my fan run.

cactusjack · 07-16-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

I've never heard my fan run.

Yeah, something you don't have to deal with on a Harley.

ponch · 07-16-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

I've never heard my fan run.

Yeah, something you don't have to deal with on a Harley.

I can add one on mine as the police bikes come with one, but so far I haven't seen the temp gauge go above halfway even in 100˚ weather. Do HDs have oil coolers?

macmac · 07-16-2011, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickb6959

Quote:

Originally Posted by macmac

Look on the rad for the fan temp switch, and pull it off. With a jumper or a paper clip made "U" shape plug the jumper right in. The fan should run even with the Ignition OFF.

If not with a ice pick test light check the plug for power. One side is hot all the time.

If you get no light check the fuses.

And spin the fan with a finger, only with the engine cold...... Make sure the bearings are not bound up.

Fan spins freely. all fuses and connectors are good. I will disconnect my fan and hook it up to 12 V and see if it runs. If it runs I guess it is a bad sensor.

On the rad there is a temp switch. It should have power all the time on one side. When the switch gets hot enough it transmits power to the other side.

The test is nothing more than pulling that and run anything to both female terminals A paper clip will work, or a wire with 2 spade connectors.

cajun2wheels · 07-16-2011, 08:55 PM

Your riding season doesn't have to be over if you can't get the part right away.I had an old Goldwing with the same problem and temporally wired a toggle switch and mounted it on the handlebar.When I was in slow traffic or a long light I would flip the switch and once I was moving I turned it off.Worked great.

ponch · 07-16-2011, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cajun2wheels

Your riding season doesn't have to be over if you can't get the part right away.I had an old Goldwing with the same problem and temporally wired a toggle switch and mounted it on the handlebar.When I was in slow traffic or a long light I would flip the switch and once I was moving I turned it off.Worked great.

I wonder if there is an automotive part that is the same?

macmac · 07-16-2011, 09:08 PM

At wallmart there is test lights for 4 bucks. These have a clear top and are black otherwise. They look like a ice pick.

To use one isas easy as it gets. A great Go / No Go tool, for quick checking fuses and connectors.

Inside the clear handle is a light bulb. There is a black wire coming out of the clear handle and it ends in a alligator clip.

The first time any day you use it, you clip the gator to any ground, which is the battery (-) cable, or the engine, or the frame on any 12 volt vehical.

The point is placed on fuses still in the fuse box, at the exposed metal at the fuse tops. OR in this case both female spade connectors on the switch. One should light the test light with even the ignition off. That side is from the fuse.

The other side is too the fan.

Only if both sides of that plug are dead, then is there a problem, and in that case most likey it's a bad fuse, or a connection somewhere from the plug to the fuse.

If you tell me what happens, or short the plug and the fan runs it will help me help you.

cactusjack · 07-16-2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponch

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Yeah, something you don't have to deal with on a Harley.

I can add one on mine as the police bikes come with one, but so far I haven't seen the temp gauge go above halfway even in 100˚ weather. Do HDs have oil coolers?

The 103" engines come with oil coolers.

**ringadingh** · 07-17-2011, 12:16 AM

Id suspect the fan switch first as mac mentioned. It may be just a dirty connection causing it also.

rickb6959 · 07-18-2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

Id suspect the fan switch first as mac mentioned. It may be just a dirty connection causing it also.

I checked the fan and it work's. I cleaned the sensor contacts and still no fan. I guess I will put a toggle switch on on it and order a sensor.

Thank's

**coacha** · 07-18-2011, 07:50 PM

Clean your contacts good, may be some gunk on them. Mine did that earlier this year and I cleaned everything up and it works fine now.

07-16-2011, 11:16 AM	#1
rickb6959 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 122	Temp Light and Fan issue The other day riding home from work through town when it was 100 degrees. I noticed an a stop light my temp light came on and my fan was not working. When I took off the temp light went off but I could never get my fan to come on even when I stopped at a light. The temp light never came on again. I checked my fuses and connections and everything is good. I did notice about a month ago my battery is a little weaker on start up. Would the battery have anything to do with my fan not working?hope I don't need a temp sensor it may take a dealer a month to order one and my riding season will be shot. Thanks Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

07-16-2011, 02:47 PM	#3
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Temp Light and Fan issue Look on the rad for the fan temp switch, and pull it off. With a jumper or a paper clip made "U" shape plug the jumper right in. The fan should run even with the Ignition OFF. If not with a ice pick test light check the plug for power. One side is hot all the time. If you get no light check the fuses. And spin the fan with a finger, only with the engine cold...... Make sure the bearings are not bound up. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

07-16-2011, 07:08 PM	#5
Dave Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Itchycoo Park Posts: 3,422	Temp Light and Fan issue I've never heard my fan run. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

07-16-2011, 08:55 PM	#9
cajun2wheels Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria La. Posts: 636	Temp Light and Fan issue Your riding season doesn't have to be over if you can't get the part right away.I had an old Goldwing with the same problem and temporally wired a toggle switch and mounted it on the handlebar.When I was in slow traffic or a long light I would flip the switch and once I was moving I turned it off.Worked great. __________________
	0

07-16-2011, 09:08 PM	#11
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Temp Light and Fan issue At wallmart there is test lights for 4 bucks. These have a clear top and are black otherwise. They look like a ice pick. To use one isas easy as it gets. A great Go / No Go tool, for quick checking fuses and connectors. Inside the clear handle is a light bulb. There is a black wire coming out of the clear handle and it ends in a alligator clip. The first time any day you use it, you clip the gator to any ground, which is the battery (-) cable, or the engine, or the frame on any 12 volt vehical. The point is placed on fuses still in the fuse box, at the exposed metal at the fuse tops. OR in this case both female spade connectors on the switch. One should light the test light with even the ignition off. That side is from the fuse. The other side is too the fan. Only if both sides of that plug are dead, then is there a problem, and in that case most likey it's a bad fuse, or a connection somewhere from the plug to the fuse. If you tell me what happens, or short the plug and the fan runs it will help me help you. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

07-17-2011, 12:16 AM	#13
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Temp Light and Fan issue Id suspect the fan switch first as mac mentioned. It may be just a dirty connection causing it also. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

07-18-2011, 07:50 PM	#15
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	Temp Light and Fan issue Clean your contacts good, may be some gunk on them. Mine did that earlier this year and I cleaned everything up and it works fine now. __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
	0

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