Stratnick
Member
Posts: 52
2000 I/S
West Tennessee
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« on: July 15, 2012, 05:39:36 PM » |
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After many frustrating rides and after chasing carburetor rabbits, my problem with my 2000 I/S appears to be resolved. As I stated in other posts, it would idle erratically with a WARM engine. I adjusted and readjusted the pilot screws, synced the carbs, adjusted throttle cables, messed with linkages, and checked for vacuum leaks....all to no avail. Then gregc steered me toward checking out the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. After reading the ignition chapter of the shop manual, I realized he might be on to something. It indicated that a faulty ECT sensor could send a bad signal to the ECM and advance the timing incorrectly. I ordered one along with the sealing washer and replaced it. While I was in there, I checked for continuity between the temp sensor and the ECM....all was good there. Put it all back together, poured in new antifreeze, and fired her up.
I immediately noticed a difference in how the engine ran. For one thing, before... it would not advance the idle speed when using the choke/enrichers...now it does. I also noticed more power, and best of all....a smooth consistent idle speed. Before, the idle speed was all over the place, uneven, and would speed up randomly by itself.
The ECT sensor is located behind the radiator in the thermostat housing and a 3/4" open end wrench fits it nicely. Top radiator hose was difficult to remove and install, but came off and went back on with lots of patience. I also removed the overflow tank and washed it out.
Thanks for all the suggestions in my previous posts relating to this frustrating problem.
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« Last Edit: July 16, 2012, 10:54:35 AM by Stratnick »
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RP#62
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« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2012, 06:20:40 PM » |
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Thanks for following up. This was a new one on me. I don't think I ever recall anyone reporting one going bad.
-RP
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Stratnick
Member
Posts: 52
2000 I/S
West Tennessee
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« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2012, 06:38:06 PM » |
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Thanks for following up. This was a new one on me. I don't think I ever recall anyone reporting one going bad.
-RP
I concluded a long time ago that the problem was heat related, and I did not know that this sensor even existed. Seemed like a long shot to me, but I had tried everything else...so why not? |
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Patrick
Member
Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2012, 03:50:39 AM » |
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Its always good to hear back from folks.. Glad this monster is now fixed.. I've never heard of this problem before either,, that'll have to go in the memory bank.. This is a good board,, a lot of good info and experience here.. Greg hit it out of the park on this one,, he done good..
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Don07tncav
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« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2012, 04:30:48 AM » |
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Great to hear it's finally taken care of! Like Patrick and RP, never heard of this happening either.
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Keep two up!  |
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salty1
Member
Posts: 2359
"Flyka"
Spokane, WA or Tucson, AZ
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« Reply #5 on: July 16, 2012, 05:13:57 AM » |
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Congrats on finally resolving your idle issue! We've exchanged a few posts in the past about the problem. Thanks for the updates.
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My rides: 1998 GL1500C, 2000 GL 1500CF,2006 GL 1800 3A   |
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Davemn
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« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2012, 05:34:05 AM » |
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Is this sensor specific to just Interstates or does a Standard have it too?
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9Ball
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« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2012, 06:01:15 AM » |
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And you got to inspect all the other stuff and learn a lot about the bike in the process.
Good job....
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VRCC #6897, Joined May, 2000
1999 Standard
2007 Rocket 3
2005 VTX 1300S
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vic
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« Reply #8 on: July 16, 2012, 06:31:50 AM » |
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It looks like all Valks have the ECT sensor. To muddy the waters a little more, there also seems to be another sensor (SWITCH ASSY., THERMO 37760-MAV-003 ) in the same thermostat housing unit that I wonder if it may have some relation to coolant temp as well. It's #9 if you look at the parts fische under water pipe@thermostat. I've been having a similar problem as Stratnick and am 99.9% sure the problem is the same as his. Congrats on getting to the bottom of it!!
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Stratnick
Member
Posts: 52
2000 I/S
West Tennessee
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« Reply #9 on: July 16, 2012, 10:47:08 AM » |
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It looks like all Valks have the ECT sensor. To muddy the waters a little more, there also seems to be another sensor (SWITCH ASSY., THERMO 37760-MAV-003 ) in the same thermostat housing unit that I wonder if it may have some relation to coolant temp as well. It's #9 if you look at the parts fische under water pipe@thermostat. I've been having a similar problem as Stratnick and am 99.9% sure the problem is the same as his. Congrats on getting to the bottom of it!!
#9, the Thermo switch assembly is the sending unit for the temperature light on the dash panel. It should not have any influence on the ECM or timing. I did not replace mine because I was not having trouble with it. I suppose a person might elect to replace it while the radiator is removed. |
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gordonv
Member
Posts: 5763
VRCC # 31419
Richmond BC
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« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2012, 04:05:09 PM » |
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I beleive there was 2 sensors. One for the fan/temp light, and the other for the ECM.
I thought it was only the IS that had the ECM advance based on temp, but others have said it is on all the Valks, and the Tourer engine I have wrecking, has 2 on it, so it must be true.
Thanks for the follow up solution post.
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1999 Black with custom paint IS   |
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Stratnick
Member
Posts: 52
2000 I/S
West Tennessee
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« Reply #11 on: August 06, 2012, 06:31:55 PM » |
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Follow up after several weeks on the ECT sensor replacement on my 2000 I/S. I admit I was skeptical at first about the ECT sensor being the source of my weird Idle issue. I am happy to report that it is still idling perfectly, and running better than before. It's been put through all the paces on really hot days, and those bad idle gremlins are gone!  |
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