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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Archive through April 08, 2010 » Cooling fan not working. What to check? « Previous Next »

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Lancruza
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 06:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The fan seems to have stopped working on my 09 XB12SS. I've only put about 600 miles on the bike since picking it up New Years weekend. It's always come on after a ride, but for the past 3 days it hasn't come on at all. I realize that the bike is made with the fan for a purpose, but I was wondering how hard will it be on the bike if I ride it and the fan does not work. The weather here in Piedmont North Carolina has been great and I really want to ride, but I also don't want to mess anything up. Any thoughts on checking the operation of the fan?

Thanks
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Froggy
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 06:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You can run a diagnostic in ECMspy.
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Firebolt32
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 06:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Run spy as Froggy stated. Typically the dash light should come on if there is something wrong. If you don't have access to spy, unplug the fan and put a 12V power supply on it. If it spins the fan is fine. If not, it's fried. I had to replace mine on my 07' 9R. Not hard to do...just need the time and patience.
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Lancruza
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 07:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I went and looked at the location of the fan to try and find the connector. Is it me or is it tight in there around the fan? Can anyone tell me where the connector to the fan is located? I was going to try and feed it 12v, but I can't find the connector.

Thanks
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Joel9
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 07:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

have you had it in for service lately? maybe you got that new ecm flash.
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Lancruza
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 08:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Not had it in yet. I'm waiting to hit 1k to take it in.
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Panhead_dan
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 08:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If the fan shit the bed it should have thrown a code. It's probly just not hot enough for it to come on.
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Lancruza
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 09:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Nah, it's definitely hot enough for it to come on. I've ridden the bike when it was 55 degrees and it came on like normal. It was 83 here today. I've ridden all around today on 4 different occasions, no fan.
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Hughlysses
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 09:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Did you take it to the dealer recently? It may have gotten an ECM update. The latest flash makes the fan run whenever the bike's above 15 MPH and shuts it off at low speed.
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Lancruza
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 09:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ok, i don't know if this is coincidence or not, but I just rode the bike into town and my low fuel light came on. So I stopped at the gas station to fill up and no fan. I fill up the bike and go a mile and a half to the grocery store. I park and cut off the bike and SHAZAM the fan comes on. So my question: Is there any correlation between low fuel and no fan?
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Geforce
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 11:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

To my knowledge no. I would check the wiring in there and see if the fan connector/harness isn't just loose or something. A good way to get the fan to come on is to start her up and let her idle for a few minutes. Check with your dealer if you are still concerned about it.
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Firebolt32
Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2010 - 09:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The connection on mine was just inside the left induction hole on the rear plastics. It's a bitch to get to. See if the dealer will flash your ECM to the latest and greatest. It could be something to do with that. As new as your bike is I highly doubt there is any wiring chaffing.
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Lancruza
Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2010 - 05:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

OK, the mystery is still ongoing. The fan came on last night after filling with gas. I've ridden twice today and the fan hasn't come on at all. Any thoughts on riding the bike without the fan operating? Good or bad?
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Ratbuell
Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2010 - 05:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

When it came on, did it (the bearings in the fan) make a rattling noise, or did they sound normal?

If I want the fan to come on on my Uly, I ride on the highway at 80+ for about five minutes. That'll do it, every time (and I even have the comfort kit). Something about higher speeds causes an airflow pocket, or something...I can ride all day back-roads, 3rd/4th gear, and no fan....but if I get on the superslab and go for 5 minutes at traffic pace, thar she goes.
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Lancruza
Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2010 - 09:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

No bearing noise. It sounded fine. plenty warm today and long enough ride to get the fan to come on.
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Geforce
Posted on Monday, April 05, 2010 - 01:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

This is really odd. Do you have a warranty at the dealer still? I would bring it in and let em check it out if you do.
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Swordsman
Posted on Monday, April 05, 2010 - 01:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If the fan shit the bed it should have thrown a code.

I don't think that's necessarily true. Mine never did, and it was pretty darn obvious it was kaput. Would spin up, slow down, spin up again, barely turn, stop completely, tick around slowly, spin up again, stop, etc. Never maintained a constant speed. Not a bearing problem either, an electronics malfunction.

~SM

(Message edited by Swordsman on April 05, 2010)
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Redfive
Posted on Monday, April 05, 2010 - 03:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Service manual really helps with these issues. My 07 SS fan when out and it set the light off. For it to do so it has to read an open circuit, such as open windings or a short, which will blow your fuse as well. If it runs fine with 12volt directly applied then I would say your problem would be with the engine temp sensor. Thats what tells the fan to come on to begin with. What I cant seem to find is what tells it to drop down to the lower speed. Even the manual treats it as a single speed fan? Anyway with a 09 I would just take it to the dealer under warrenty. its easy to change out. Id by a spare from American Sport Bike just to have handy anyway. I keep one on hand.
Redfive
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Lancruza
Posted on Monday, April 05, 2010 - 11:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hey everyone,

Thanks for all the input. I talked to my local dealer today. I told him the whole story and that I only had 600 miles on the bike. He said it sounded like the temp sensor. He said not to worry, just ride and enjoy and at the 1k service they would check and replace it if necessary. He also told me about the ECM update and as stated above, how the fan would operate while the bike is running. Thanks again.
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Geforce
Posted on Tuesday, April 06, 2010 - 07:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Good deal! Least your dealer is willing to take care of you. I hope it's something simple that they can fix and get you rolling.
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