Cooling fan predicament

[telecolin]

I recently have been having problems with my 06 uly cooling fan. I ran a fan diagnostic in ecmspy when cold and it worked many times in a row. when I ride the bike the fan never comes on even in florida summer weather and sitting in traffic. I have a right hand air scoop which probably keeps it cool enough while riding. when I turn the bike off the fan comes on after about five minutes but sometimes it stutters and slows and speeds up randomly. after my last ride I ran another fan diagnostic when hot and it worked the first time but every time I tried it after that it wouldn't come on. I cant figure out whether I need a new fan, whether I have a problem with the wiring, or whether its a problem with the ECM. Please help!!

 

[DustyXB]

I would say check all the grounds first. Maybe while the bikes running its vibrating it lose enough for it to not come on...?

 

[pontlee77]

I had to change mine it said short to ground, but the grounds were fine

 

[telecolin]

Where is the fan grounded to? I looked at the wiring diagram and the fan is only connected to the ecm and the fan fuse. I am going to pull the fan out and run 12V directly to it. maybe that'll give me more info.

 

[anrkizm95]

its grounded at the ecm its what controls fan operation

 

[americanthunder]

i just cashed in on my extended warranty through harley for the cooling fan shorting out apperently the #2 head will leak oil on the fan motor and it will finally short out. it is not a fun chore gettin to the fan and it a resonable price. i pay for the warrenty so i just dropped her off and if it comes down to it they may have to replace the head gasket or the rocker cover seal either way its only 50 bones so im super stoked.

 

[telecolin]

luckily when I pulled everything apart there is no oil coming from the rear cylinder! I ordered a new fan so I hope that fixes it. I have eliminated pretty much every other possibility.

 

[andymnelson]

the Uly is sort of known for it's poor grounds. If you have a bad ground now, installing a new fan is unlikely to help you. Do yourself a favor and address the grounds either way, and avoid future issues. What you need to do is locate the ground points, remove the wires, clean the surface, instal new star washer then wires then star washer then bolt. There are a couple of grounds on the left seat frame rail and one behind the flyscreen that are suspect.

 

[telecolin]

thanks andymnelson!! I'll make sure those grounds are clean

 

[cyukon]

i just cashed in on my extended warranty through harley for the cooling fan shorting out apperently the #2 head will leak oil on the fan motor and it will finally short out. it is not a fun chore gettin to the fan and it a resonable price. i pay for the warrenty so i just dropped her off and if it comes down to it they may have to replace the head gasket or the rocker cover seal either way its only 50 bones so im super stoked.

Americanthunder do you know if both the head gasket will leak and also the breather?

 

[cyukon]

Because I think I have the same problem you do, the rear cylinder has leaked out of the breather and run down and pushed through the fan.. The check engine light illuminated and I checked the code, which came up as "cooling fan."

 

[303xb]

Does anyone have a diy w pics on changing a cooling fan? 2008xb12scg

 

[thrstrmech]

no DIY that I've seen, you'll have to remove the rear suspension to get it out, the manual gives you step by step on how to remove and install it, it's kinda a pain, just take your time and be careful. rotate it clockwise to remove it from the frame. did mine a couple years ago.

 

[bbletterin]

For future reference, use a volt meter in line between the terminals an command on, should get voltage, if not check wiring . If you have voltage you know it's motor. Bad motor can be a "short" as windings go bad, sometimes turning motor will change it, but will happen as soon as the bad part comes back around. I do not speak from Buell experience just general blower motor problems I encountered on vehicles. I have had motor not work and just tap on it and have it run. Just say'in.

 

[DualSportDad]

it's easy enough. just lift the bike a little so you can remove the rear shock. after that there is plenty of room to get the bolts out that hold the fan on. might as well replace the o2 sensor while you're there as well it's only an extra $30,

 

[303xb]

Getting the fan out and back in was a piece of cake!!! Just got fine with an engine rotation (new rocker gaskets) and new fan install. Put it all back together and perfect!! Fired right up, fan logic kicked in, no blown fuse!!!

Good accomplishment for me, thanks to wiznut and others for help. Riding this weekend!!

 

[nicholas900]

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