Intermittent Water Temp Light Flashing

[Sodbuster]

Anyone ever have this happen ??  When I was on my trip out west I happened to notice one time where the light was flashing intermittent for about 15 - 20 seconds. I pulled over to check fluid level which was OK. Fluid was flushed prior to trip. Yes, it was burped properly. Maybe a bad sensor or thermostat ??

Only noticed it doing it that one time.

Thanks for any reply's

[hubcapsc]

I pulled over to check fluid level which was OK.

I checked mine recently, and had to also check the manual it had been so long since I had
checked it...

If I remember correctly, "OK" = between the lines in the plastic overflow tank when engine is
at operating temp...

The only time I've ever seen the light come on was on my buddy Henry's bike at InZane a couple
of years ago... we checked the level (I'm sure I used the little owners manual under the seat  )
and added a little prestone no-silicate 50/50... never came on again as far as I know...

Does your radiator fan kick in when it should?

-Mike

[Black Dog]

I've had the same problem for a few years...  My '97 Standard would have the 'Hot' light flicker, at just about the same time my fan would kick in.  Checked along side another Valk, with one of those temp guns, and found my cooling system working just fine...  Fan was working just as it should, but kept getting the 'Hot' light.

Don't know who it was, but someone posted on the Tech Board, that early Valks (I know the '97, for sure), had an extra part as part of the cooling circuit, called an 'Indicator Unit'...

Here is the part number (I ordered mine from Dillon Brothers).  Don't know what year you've got, but use the part number, and see if it matches a part for your year Valk.

Order:
Qty.    Part Number    Price Per Item    Special Order    Product Name
----    -----------    --------------    -------------    ------------
1    38710-MZ0-003    $50.99        No            Honda - INDICATOR UNIT

It is located behind the right side cover, and is a 'plug n play' deal.

Fixed my issue, and if you have an earlier Valk, should fix yours.

Black Dog

[Gryphon]

Is your's a '97 or '98?  There is a fix for that.  I think it is in Shop Talk, but I could be wrong.  Bssically there was a change to a different sensor and the mod to the newer sensor will take care of that.  I've got the same problem with my '98 and will do the mod eventually.  I've got motosens guages and I've checked the temp with an IR thermometer.  It is probably the sensor and not a case of over-heating.  

[Jay]

My buddy has a 98 Tourer with 84k miles.  He has been experiencing the same thing, the light comes on once in a while while riding, then goes off.  The fan works as it should, coolant level is fine.

I was thinking it was a failing temp sensor, but maybe it is the unit that Black Dog mentioned.

Black Dog, your's is a 97, did they put the same system in the 98?

[Black Dog]

I believe it was both '97 & '98...  You can check, by looking at a Parts Fiche, and seeing if that 'Indicator Unit' is listed as a part for a '98.

I'm glad I popped for the $55...  While I 'knew' that my hot lamp was probably false, I didn't want to take a chance of a real problem being ignored...  The times I would see the hot light, would be mostly during a 'feet on the ground' traffic jam (going around Chicago).

Not cheap, but good insurance 

Black Dog

[Sodbuster]

Hey all .... Thanks for the reply's !!  Yeah, mines a '99. I googled that part number that Black Dog mentioned and it is common to 97, 98, & 99. Yup, the fan comes on like it should.

So, am I to understand that if I bought another "indicator unit" that it is made better than the original and solve the "flicker" ??

[F6Dave]

Early Valks had a temp sensor near the thermostat, which sent a reading to a unit under the left side cover.  The unit turned the temp light on or off depending on the voltage it received from the sensor.  The switching unit was prone to failure, so on the IS and later (2000+?) Valks the functions were combined so that the sensor sent an on or off signal directly to the temp light.

The easiest way tio fix it is to replace the unit under the side cover.  However, some have upgraded the the old style sensor (by the thermostat) to the new combined type.  The threads are the same, however the connector has to be changed and a jumper wire needs to be installed in the connector under the side cover.

[Sodbuster]

Thanks F6Dave -
I'm assuming it's number 9 in the photo - part number is different between '99 & '00
Number 8 has same part number between '99 & '00



Also, I think you meant the right side cover ??
I think this is the unit under the side cover everyone's referring to ....

[F6Dave]

Yep, #9 is the part.  The upgraded sensor is a little longer but the threads are the same.  As I remember the connector changed from a blade to a bullet.  I made an adapter with some crimp connectors but you could also cut off the old one and crimp on a new one.

I upgraded because I'd heard of enough failures that I wanted the improved part.  But changing the intermediate switch part is easier.  I'd have to look to be sure but I remember it being under the left cover (left as sitting on the bike, the clutch lever side).

[Six Guns]

Replace # 16 (Indicator Unit) and you will be good to go. I have a 98 Tourer that was doing the same thing. Replaced with a new Indicator Unit and the false temp overheating light does not come on anymore.     

[Wilburt]

Sorry for awakening an old thread, but my bike is having this problem.

If I want to replace #16, which year do I replace it with? I have a 1998 so do I replace it with a 98 or 00 part?

[indybobm]

This part does not exist on a 2000 or later Valk. Honda changed the circuit for the temperature indicator. The parts fische shows item #16 in the diagram but is missing from the part#/price list.

[Wilburt]

Ok, should have checked. I guess if I replace it with a "new" 98 part it won't happen again a few years later? Do they now make the part better?

[indybobm]

Not sure if the new part is any better. What can be done is to replace the '98 ThermoSensor on the thermostat housing with a Thermostatic Switch from a 2000 and up Valk. Then you have to jumper two wires from the connectors of the old Temperature Indiacator Unit from behind the left side cover. Downside of this is that you need to pull the radiator to get to the thermostat housing.

Easier to just get a new Temperature Indiacator Unit.

[Wilburt]

Thanks for clarifying. That is what I suspected. Even though it's $60, it will be easier to just replace part 16 then to remove the radiator.