Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Just so others can learn from my mistakes!

Maybe almost two months ago (when it was still relatively warm) I noticed my thermo fan wasn't working, so I checked the fan by connecting it direct to the battery and it worked. Logical assumption, the thermo fan switch (the one which screws into the radiator) is buggered, so I replaced it.

Last night I was sitting at the traffic lights for a bit and noticed, the temp getting up then I checked and the thermo fan hadn't kicked in, WTF!? Logic told me it shouldn't be a dodgy switch again, so I went home and checked the switch that I had replaced (I don't throw anything out) - I checked it with a globe, wire, battery and pot of water on the stove. The switch was okay!

I then puled the bike apart a bit and checked for a broken wire, but all the wiring was good, again, WTF!? Looking further I found the radiator was low in water, so topped it up, only took about a cup, but that was enough to make a difference and let the thermo switch work. So basically I blew $40 because I didn't check the part I was replacing and also failed to look at the simplest things first.

Hopefully this lesson can save someone else some money and effort!

When you say the temp getting up - above 100?

On the move, with fresh air ahead of me - i'll commonly have 69 (wooo!).
When there are cars in front stealing my precious cold air - 75-80.
At lights, espesh in summer - will raise all the way upto 102 before the thermo kicks in.

I had thought to get a override switch installed to have the fan kick in earlier when I am sitting at lights... if it would assist no idea.

Good lesson and a mistake that didn't cause any damage...except to wallet...

Another trap for many is to see the temp gauge rise and then fall dramatically again and think there is no problem. Alas the water has all gone and same problem that can cause major damage.
So remember, temp below normal can also indicate a problem.

Here endeth today's lesson...

you live up to your username in every way

You really want to start a thread about stuff ups that cost money? $40 is a bargain, but they all add up. I had a friend that fried his ecu this year..

RichB wrote:You really want to start a thread about stuff ups that cost money? $40 is a bargain, but they all add up. I had a friend that fried his ecu this year..

Jump start from a car battery?

MrFaulty wrote:...Looking further I found the radiator was low in water, so topped it up, only took about a cup, but that was enough to make a difference ...

By the sounds of it you are not aware of the existence or function of the expansion bottle? That should be topped up too if the radiator was low.

TIP: Though they are sometimes difficult to see, the level in the expansion bottle is a good indicator of problems: if the level goes up when the bike is hot and down again when the bike is cold, and keeps doing this between the same two levels then all is well in your cooling system. If not, better find out why! Too easy.

(-8

robracer wrote:

RichB wrote:You really want to start a thread about stuff ups that cost money? $40 is a bargain, but they all add up. I had a friend that fried his ecu this year..

Jump start from a car battery?

No, there was some kind of resistor where the AIS valve had been unplugged from, must not have been the write wattage etc ya know to prevent the FI light. Anyway, turns out the powered side of that plug is unfused and goes straight to the ECU - pooompf. And.......I still have the plug