Error code 36 Fan issue. Short to ground.

Well it seems that as my mileage climbs, so do my issues.
06 XB9SX 90 000km.
I just replaced the pump assembly last month, and its been running great, but
yesterday the CEL started coming on each time the fan should have engaged.
I have done the following:
Fan was replaced about 6 yrs ago.
Unplugged the fan connector and applied 12V to the fan, it runs, albeit slow.
Ran a fan test using Buelltooth.. fan does not run.
Tested ECU pin 6 using fan test, and it does apply a ground onto the black/orange wire.
Tested the black/orange all the way to the fan connector, and the ground works all the way.
Tested wiring to ground and to positive with both ends disconnected, all tests correct.
Tested 12V and ground during fan test, and all tests correct at the connector.
The fan tests approx 5 Ohms across the motor. Not sure if this is correct.
What I did find strange is that the CEL comes on intermittently even straight after startup
when it is cold. When out on the highway at 120+ kmph, it never comes on.
I'm hesitant to start throwing parts at it without understanding why I get these symptoms.

Would it make sense to extend the wiring and connect my wife's XB's fan and re-run the fan test ?
If it does work, does that indicate that my fan is faulty?
I have done some reading, and it appears that there are cases where a fan "tested" ok, but wasnt.

All ideas/suggestions welcome.

Beebop said:

yesterday the CEL started coming on each time the fan should have engaged.
I have done the following:
Fan was replaced about 6 yrs ago.
Unplugged the fan connector and applied 12V to the fan, it runs, albeit slow.
Ran a fan test using Buelltooth.. fan does not run.

Click to expand...

Sounds like the answer is right there

Beebop said:

Would it make sense to extend the wiring and connect my wife's XB's fan and re-run the fan test ?

Click to expand...

Why not just run the fan test on your wife's bike to see if her fan performs like yours?

Beebop said:

If it does work, does that indicate that my fan is faulty?
I have done some reading, and it appears that there are cases where a fan "tested" ok, but wasnt.

Click to expand...

What do you mean by "tested ok"? Not running on the test would indicate it failed the test.
If the fan is struggling to perform as designed, that sounds like a fan that did not test OK and wasn't OK, regardless of the age of the fan. Maybe you can get the manufacturer to warranty the fan, if you feel it failed prematurely.

Is it wet with oil?

34nineteen said:

Sounds like the answer is right there



Why not just run the fan test on your wife's bike to see if her fan performs like yours?




What do you mean by "tested ok"? Not running on the test would indicate it failed the test.
If the fan is struggling to perform as designed, that sounds like a fan that did not test OK and wasn't OK, regardless of the age of the fan. Maybe you can get the manufacturer to warranty the fan, if you feel it failed prematurely.

Click to expand...

tested ok, as in it works if I power it directly from a battery.

Cooter said:

Is it wet with oil?

Click to expand...

No oils. It even sounds quiet when running off a battery.

Beebop said:

tested ok, as in it works if I power it directly from a battery.

Click to expand...

There are lots of things in the world that are “working” but not working correctly. If the motor is turning slowly when directly connected to a battery and not at all when connected to the ecm. There is your sign.

ok, so today I had an opportunity to do some more in-depth troubleshooting.
Removed the fan completely and wired it directly to the bike battery. It ran flat out as it should.
No oil on the fan or rear cylinder, all nice and dry. Fan turns smoothly with no noise or play
evident in the bearings. Plugged the fan into the wife's bike and it fires up when I connect
pin 6 on the ECU to ground, just as her own fan does (for some reason, the Buelltooth would not
light up on her bike so I could not run the fan test). What sadist designed a fan with a one inch power cord?
At this stage I am happy that the fan is 100%.
I went back to my bike and did some further testing. The ECU grounding on pin 6 is evident all the way
down to the fan. I checked this several times with the fan test and by manually sticking a grounded
pin into the socket. 12V however is not seen at the fan , or connector. I dont know how I missed
that yesterday. Anyway, if I run a positive from the battery to the fan and re-run the test, the fan kicks
in as it should.
So at this stage I'm confident that my problem is a missing 12V at the fan. I did check both sides
of the fan fuse and 12V is there. So next is to delve into the wiring diagram and see where that wire runs
and follow it through. I hate wiring..

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Look for a chafe or break in the wiring loom where it runs over top of the rear cylinder. They are known to chafe in that area and dump assorted fault codes into the ECM including ECM FC #'s 13 for the O2 sensor and #36 for fan voltage. Both will intermittently activate a flashing ECM fault light.

Barrett said:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Look for a chafe or break in the wiring loom where it runs over top of the rear cylinder. They are known to chafe in that area and dump assorted fault codes into the ECM including ECM FC #'s 13 for the O2 sensor and #36 for fan voltage. Both will intermittently activate a flashing ECM fault light.

Click to expand...

Thanks Barrett, That will be my next check.
I have had the intermittent "rear O2 sensor inactive" error, but not for quite a while.
At least the problem does not involve trying to get a fan over from the US. Thats
already a plus for me.

My pleasure Robin. Simply put, your ECM is seeing repeated resistance values it doesn't like which in turn is initiating all these actions. If you've determined the fan is NOT the culprit, then the problem typically lies in the wiring harness...harness plug connection...or failing ECM.
If it ultimately is a faulty fan, the Spal replacement well documented and easily obtainable thru a multitude of sources online.

Beebop - IF you need a new fan, this is the one I bought and moved the motor to the Buell cage, etc.

https://a.co/d/cSKqUjT

Happyness is:
So the fan cut off its own supply.
Break was right where the loom passes through the fan shrowd.
Took all of 10 min to find and 20 min later she was fixed...

Nice! It's awesome when you find the real problem, and thanks for sharing your findings.

One solid internet point for Barretts internet diagnosis team! Win!

Does Barrett know what to do with internet points?

Kurlon said:

Does Barrett know what to do with internet points?

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You two! LOL
And NO...I don't. I'm old...I'm running Windows 97 on dial-up. Fortunate to even be able to get online.

You've upgraded! Remember when you used to have the Amish deliver the internet to you by horse drawn carriage?

Beebop said:

Happyness is:
So the fan cut off its own supply.
Break was right where the loom passes through the fan shrowd.
Took all of 10 min to find and 20 min later she was fixed...
View attachment 17277
View attachment 17278

Click to expand...

Nice troubleshooting and diagnosis! :up:

Barrett said:

You two! LOL
And NO...I don't. I'm old...I'm running Windows 97 on dial-up. Fortunate to even be able to get online.

Click to expand...

I heard 7/11 takes them for their fountain drinks, or bathroom usage - you're choice.