Fan only runs after riding, no fault codes. Overheating in traffic

[cesper]

He all,

So I have had my '08 12R for about 6 months now, bought it with 1,000 miles on it. Appeared to be stock except a D&D muffler, but I'm starting to wonder lately.....

I've searched on the topics of the bikes running very hot, esp. when sitting in traffic, but still have a few questions. In the past month now that the temps are from 75-85 during the day, the bike has been getting too hot to sit on at basically any speed under 40ish mph. 3 times now, I have been caught in traffic(I live in the DC area) and the bike overheats and basically cuts out the rear cylinder til it dies.

I have learned now that this is normal to keep the temps down, but what I know now is that my fan never runs when the engine is on, only when the ride is over and the key is "off".

I learned about the RSS mod, and various tuning to keep the engine a little cooler(although ECMSPY doesn't work on '08's, right?), but I think I need to address the fan issue first because the problem is mainly in traffic.

1. I have never had the CEL come on, ever.

2. Fan definitely has never run with the engine on. I have stopped at many times when the engine was basically burning my leg to see if the fan was running, and it has never appeared to be on. But the fan runs on high speed after every ride when the key is turned off.

3. Under the air box cover there is a servo motor I assume for the intake. The cable has lots of slack in it, too much to take up with the barrel adjuster it has. It appears to be disabled.

Besides the D&D muffler and this servo motor "mod"??, I think it's stock. It runs really well on the highway and even at low speeds for a little while, but once I get stuck in traffic, the low speed is not so great anymore, unless I get back to speed and cool it down.

Any info is appreciated.....I know the bike is probably running a little lean and hot from the muffler, but I need to fix the slow speed issue, I live in the DC metro area where we have continuous traffic, even at 1am sometimes.

Thanks-Chris

 

[freak2180]

Ignore the servo motor and cable. It's used with the stock muffler. The servo needs to be left plugged in or a cel will come on. These bikes run stupid hot so traffic is only making things worse. I know the newer bikes have a diff fan operating per amateur than my 04 but I'm not 100% sure on the characteristics of it. I say your deff lean with the D&D. Hopgfully someone else will chime in with more help than I could provide

 

[anrkizm95]

have you checked for codes? i cant hear my fan run when the bike is running are you sure its not on? since its dropping a cylinder the head temp sensor seems to be working.have you checked for debris in the oil cooler intake?

heres the specs for fan operation.

 

[cesper]

That's right, I did remember reading something about the servo and D&D exhaust, thanks.

As for the fan, I'm assuming that when at a dead stop is when it would want to be on the most. What I did was basically wait until the bike was super hot and starting to run poorly, but not on 1 cylinder. I pulled over or sometimes just at a red light and peeked through the rear wheel to confirm it wasn't on, and it was definitely not on. I could see the blades sitting still. I did this maybe at 5-6 different times over a few days. Once, I even came home with the bike super-hot, crouched down to look at the fan, had my wife turn the key off and it comes on immediately. My thinking was that I just couldn't hear it.

Anyways thanks for the replies, and keep 'em coming! I'm starting to think maybe it has been turned off manually on the ECM, if this is possible? I did see one thread about the ECM SPY being able to do that, but from what I gather the '08's can't use ECMSPY, they have to go with a Power Commander/EBR ECM of sorts. Correct me if I'm wrong. I'll take a look at the ECM.

The main PITA is that I live in an apartment, as do all my friends, so I don't really have a place to start tearing the thing down and diagnosing.

-Chris

 

[jimijeans]

Yes the 08+ bikes have a Different ECMSpy program than the Older Models of Buells EcmSpy program. Never Use the Old Version with the Newer 08+ bikes.
NOW, have you checked the Fuse with a Fuse Tester? Also has the Yelow cel Light come on when you are riding and sitting still Idling?
The Fan Can be Manually Tested on the Bike you will need to remove some things out of the way & make a pigtail to test it individually. Use Only the Fans Plug. black is Ground and the Red is Your Power Lead. Make sure to see if you can by hand spin the blades checking for Obstructions.
if you live in an apartment area then if you live on bottom floor just Roll that Bike in There. If Not maybe parents or friends. Try the Fan Test first, you can do it pretty easy on a nice day.
The Temperature Sensor Sometimes will NOT set a code on the Newer Bikes. NOT saying that is what it is I'm not there so I can only guess. I had to change Both of mine [Temp. Sender] on the 08 XB and the 09/Xb race bike as well[ 09/as a precaution] with very few miles on the Street 08 Bike it just Quit working.Was under Warranty so got lucky there. Hope it is an easy fix. Let us know how it goes.*Jimi

 

[oh9bolt]

Introduce yourself here. Maybe one of us can give you some assistance.

DMV Buellers

 

[jimijeans]

OPPS JUST IN CASE the FAN IS FINE! BTW there is a Fan Run Program for your Bikes Engine . I guess you bought it from someone that didn't Know or Care about the Reflashing of the ECM for the 2010 XB Fan run Program.
The Dealer is the Only ones Besides Erik Buell Racing.com that can Reflash the ECM with the Newer Fan Program. YES I Know There Might be a couple of Garages out there that can Reflash the ECM, but I Try to Stick to Buell Friendly Areas and the Affordable areas.
NOT all Dealers are BUELL Friendly! Also Check with American Sportbike .com and call them up to see if they still do that.The Rear Header Heat Shield FROM the Ulysses Comfort Kit is really a must. Is a Great Add on and works well.
Also Call EBR and see if they will do a Reflash of yopur ECM. It is Protected by H/D so Erik might not mess with that. Don't worry he has better ones(ECMs)! Might be Cheaper to get an ECM From Erik Buell so they can Tune the ECM for your D&D pipes PLUS a Little extra Horsepower.
Just Make Sure to Tell EBR to Put the NEWER Fan Program into your New ECM.IF your FAN [actually is working] and your bike is Stock Execpt for the Exhaust SHE will be Too Hot for most Bikers.Exhaust Wrap works good as well but takes time and has to be Maintained. Does look good though!
Most of us here on the Forum have done many upgrades to Battle the Heat! You WILL Have to do some easy work to cool her down[ JUST Bolt it on! Right Side Scoop and Heat Shield, on an 08 Bike you can get a Ulysses Comfort Kit FROM the Dealer works like a Charm!! YES it is called a Comfort Kit for a reason!!It WILL save your Thigh and your Rear!
Now if you find that the fan is WORKING Properly then the Comfort Kit is good for what is bothering you. IF you BUY the Ulysses Comfort Kit LEAVE OFF the Small Fan Shrould!!
Install the TWO parts SCOOP & Heat Shield,they WILL bolt right on to a Newer XB 12 R or Lighting.And some of the older models. Let us know how that works for you. Hope this helps.*Jimi[up]

 

[cesper]

Sorry guys, haven't been on in a few days. Jimijeans, I think you are onto it with the ECM reflash.

-The fan DEFINITELY works. Only problem is it doesn't come on when the engine is running. Comes on EVERY TIME the key is cut. I have on 2 occasions pulled over in traffic and cut the engine so the fan will run, then resume riding when it's a little better. And the ECM cuts the ignition on the rear cylinder when really hot, so I'm assuming the temp sensor works, right?

-NEVER has the CEL come on since I've owned the bike. Bought it with 1000 miles, currently has about 2200. But I haven't checked for any codes that might have been stored, if for some reason the ECM does that.

-I have been thinking about the RSS, heat shield kit, and the EBR ECM......but was hesitant to pay $$$ out of worry that there was a bigger problem related to this. Jimijeans, from what I've read on the forum, it sounds like you've worked on a Buell or two, so I think I'm comfortable with starting with the ECM from EBR first. Then hopefully get 2 birds with one stone, the fan flash and the proper fuel delivery w/the D&D exhaust.

Thanks guys for all your help, and of course if you have anymore to add, be my guest. I will also keep the DMV Buellers in mind for some local connections.

-Chris

Also, one last thing.......I was looking around on the bike today, and couldn't find the ECM?? I checked everywhere except inside the tail section and inside the front fairing. Is it behind the headlights?

Thanks again

 

[jimijeans]

I'm glad to know the Fan actually works. This might be a long post so here you go. The ECM on any XB12R/XB9 is behind the front fairing. Just remove in this order the Mirrors/ and front windshield then the signals. Do your signals last this way you can keep it aligned and won't crack the fragile areas.
Then with all removed gently spread out the Fairing at the Signals area.
I don't remove them all the way here at the shop but for a first time Removal and protection you might want to do it that way so saving on scratches or the OPPS method.
Watchout for the well nuts at the reinstallion of the Windshield they can strip out easily. Put the screws all in a little bit and then snug them all as eQually as possible/ Just snug and make sure to put the white OR Clear washers back on so as not to crack or ding the Fairing once complete. Rubber ones from the hardware/ Won't work if you lose one.
They will just come loose all the time.
Since you have an XB12 then you have in my Opinion the First in Erik Buells XB line that has a Easy TPS reset method although it needs to be done more often than the older bikes. Erik has some nice up grades for your bike so for Piece of mind and a better preforming bike is the way to go.
This way you have Two ECMs, with the problems from Dealers here and there we need all the help we can get. The ECM is held in by 4 bolts Two are kinda hard to get to so patience is key along with a 1/4 inch drive set. OR the Hand wrench method. The Two inner bolts just loosen those up enough to unhook and slide out cause there is a small slot the bracket that the ECM sits' in & slides into.
The Two upper bolts are easy enough so make sure to be easy on the ECMs plugs and pay attention to the plugs one grey and one black. Make sure to plug those in BeFore you reinstall the ECM. If you decide to go with Eriks ECM get an K&N Air filter and and please Don't do Any inner Air Box Mods. Just Reset TPS with the Keyswitch and off you go.
You can use the paper Filter if you like till you wear it out. they are Expensive so for the Free Flowing one you come out better in the long run.
You will not run the Engine Lean with just using the Free flowing Filter as long as the inner Air Box is left ubchanged.
You can also upplug the Upper Servo for the Orignal Exhaust Actuator up on the top of the air box.Because Eriks ECM doesn't need it with you using the Aftermarket Exhaust.
The Buell will not set a code with Eriks ECM on the Exhaust.
Make sure to tell Erik Buells Office that you are running D&D Exhaust and a Free Flowing Air Filter . Also make sure to let them know you want to use the 2010/XB fan run program. you can still ask to use the Orignal Fan Program if you like but the heat is Extreem on an Aircooled Machine so keep that in mind. If you just want to run the Fan by Temperature that will work just fine as well.
NOW you will Still need the Heat Shield and the Right Side Scoop(Ulysses Comfort Kit)from my previous posting for the Heat issues.
So good luck and Save The Stock ECM for a spare, It also occured to me that with the bike you now have it is possible that the ECM was reflashed improperly we will talk about that another time. Lets' just get you riding. There is plenty to learn with your new to you bike so take your time. Good Luck. *Jimi