Fan won't turn on: any step-by-step to install a manual switch?

[Savago]

Dear friends

This Saturday I rode to Yosemite Park (380 miles, nice ride!) and the environment temperature was around 100F.

At the park entrance (thanks to the heavy traffic), my I/S overheated. I parked the bike at the shoulder and waited 10 minutes for it to cool down.

The whole issue is that the fan never kicked in. I'm looking forward for instructions to install a manual switch so that in a similar situation I can go ahead and just turn on the cursed fan.

Anyone have a link or pointer to help me do the job?

Best regards


Savago

[Gryphon Rider]

Wouldn't it make more sense to find out why the fan never turned on and correct the problem?

[BonS]

First, the wire that you want to tap into is at the bottom rear side of the radiator and is pretty easy to reach without removing anything. It is attached to a thermal switch in the radiator that turns on your fan. To test your fan, simply ground this wire (attached or not) to any convenient metal (ground) on your bike. The fan should turn on. If not, then the fan, or wiring to it, is bad and must be repaired.

If the fan does turn on, but did not when your were overheating, then the thermal fan switch may be bad. It can be tested by heating it up and measuring between the thermal switch threads and the electrical contact for continuity using a meter. (You'll have to look up the switch temperature in a service manual as I'm at work and don't have access.)

If you want to add a manual switch then the switch simply grounds this wire going to your radiator. Make sure that your switch can handle the amperage that the fan draws is the final thing to look out for. It's not that much but check it out before drilling a hole for it !!

[thewoodman]

As BonS said, it's a simple switch-to-ground deal. The first, and only time my bike overheated, I had to pull over to let it cool and when I returned home, I wired a switch into the thermal switch and put the toggle in the plastic cover on the left side of the frame neck. And that's the last time I needed it because the switch worked from then on and I think that just cleaning the contact point on the thermal switch did the trick.

[Savago]

@Gryphon rider: I'm looking for a quick fix now and when I'm back from a trip I will investigate why the fan is not turning on.

@BonS: man, thanks for the answer, I will give it a try.

@thewoodman: I will try to clean the contacts and check if it would fix it.


Savago

[longrider]

fan should be fused.    check that out as well.