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Author Topic: Radiator Cooling Fan Failure  (Read 13700 times)

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Blackfish

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Radiator Cooling Fan Failure
« on: July 16, 2015, 11:35:39 AM »

Parked this morning and noticed an abnormal sound when I shut down. The radiator fan normally cycles on for a little less than a minute on shut-down and then off. This morning there was an abnormal "non-fan" sound, sort of a loud buzz. I got my flashlight and looked in the radiator shroud and found the fan trying to rotate in 3-5 degree increments. Like either it was jammed or getting a bad control signal. Either way, it looks like a trip by the dealer on the way home today.

Anybody else had this issue?
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GregKhougaz

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Re: Radiator Cooling Fan Failure
« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2015, 11:50:06 AM »

Moved this as you describe a "twin cooled" problem, not just a RGU issue. 

On my RGU, it's not the fans that continue to run occasionally after shut down but the water pump. 
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Re: Radiator Cooling Fan Failure
« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2015, 01:09:44 PM »


If the coolant temp is over 203°F when you shut the bike down, the fans will run for 3 minutes OR until the coolant temp drops below 203°F, whichever comes first.  Of course if the coolant temp is below that threshold, they will shut down as soon as you shut the bike down.

Jerry
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RonandJanet

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Re: Radiator Cooling Fan Failure
« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2015, 04:23:12 PM »

When you shut the bike off the fans may run (based on temp) for up to 30 seconds (+/-). They shut off after 30 seconds if the bike is off.  This happens to me all the time.
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Blackfish

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Re: Radiator Cooling Fan Failure
« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2015, 02:21:08 PM »

So to update:
On the way home, the check engine light came on with an associated water temp light. Took the vehicle to the dealer for testing. Tech read the codes (it was throwing about 8 discrete codes) and they were all dealing with cooling. Fan and relay voltages and some others. I didn't get the complete list, but they had to call corporate the next day to get some further direction. Got a call while I was at work and stopped by on the way home, they are going to replace the ECM. After I went to see them that first day, the Check Engine light and water temp light stopped coming on. The tech said that reading the ecm shows about a dozen instances of a code reset. It seems to be doing it on its own. I'm not a fan of shotgunning parts and working on tactical aircraft, it's not usually the computer, software maybe. . .but I think this computer has issues. We'll see in a week or two.
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Blackfish

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Re: Radiator Cooling Fan Failure
« Reply #5 on: December 24, 2015, 12:05:51 PM »

Here we go again:

So it's been 5 months since the Dealer replaced the ECM per corporate directions under warranty. Last week it started throwing codes again. P0691 Fan/Cooling relay output low/open, P0692 Fan/Cooling relay output high, P1691 Cooling fan left low/open, P1692 Cooling fan left shorted high, P1693 Cooling fan right low/open. Yesterday on the way home (37 deg F) it started puking coolant out of the right side lower. Which it didn't do in July. Looks like another trip to the service bay for the Blackfish.

If it is in fact the ECM going bad, I'm thinking something is taking it out.
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Joel

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Re: Radiator Cooling Fan Failure
« Reply #6 on: December 27, 2015, 03:33:30 PM »

Keep us informed, hope it is just a ground issue
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RonandJanet

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Re: Radiator Cooling Fan Failure
« Reply #7 on: December 27, 2015, 03:36:59 PM »

This sucks!  If the EMC is going (or is) bad how would that make the radiator fluid come out? It isn't going to over heat.

I have had some odd symptoms on mine when the battery was going bad.  The display would go blank but the radio still played etc. I just mention this because it may be worthwhile to make sure the battery (and yes the ground) are all good.
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Blackfish

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Re: Radiator Cooling Fan Failure
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2016, 09:33:46 AM »

This sucks!  If the EMC is going (or is) bad how would that make the radiator fluid come out? It isn't going to over heat.

I have had some odd symptoms on mine when the battery was going bad.  The display would go blank but the radio still played etc. I just mention this because it may be worthwhile to make sure the battery (and yes the ground) are all good.

It is scheduled in for service next week. Tech ran diagnostics on it, confirmed the codes but it was late on Thursday before Christmas so no chance of going any further than formulating a game plan. Found that the upper tank hose had backed off its nipple and repositioned it. It is apparently a known problem. The battery connections are fine and it lives with a tender connected when not in use. I'll keep this updated.
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Re: Radiator Cooling Fan Failure
« Reply #9 on: January 04, 2016, 10:34:59 AM »

They messed up the first time........that fix was supposed to last 23 months.......just sayin'
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grc

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Re: Radiator Cooling Fan Failure
« Reply #10 on: January 04, 2016, 11:56:49 AM »


Sounds like the typical result when taking a bike to the dealer.  Replace a part, even though that part didn't create the problem, and call it a day rather than spend the time to find the ROOT cause of the problem.  And Harley's own diagnostic routines sometimes do the same thing, telling you to replace an ECM or other component after one or two simple tests don't find the problem.  Unfortunately, if you don't find the real root cause, you are destined to keep having things fail.  It is extremely rare btw for a modern ECM to fail due to internal problems.  It is possible to fry one due to external failures however.

Jerry
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Para Bellum

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Re: Radiator Cooling Fan Failure
« Reply #11 on: January 05, 2016, 04:32:38 AM »

This sucks!  If the EMC is going (or is) bad how would that make the radiator fluid come out? It isn't going to over heat.
I'll have to disagree.  If the ECM doesn't turn on the fan when it should, the coolant is going to get too hot.  This leads to increased pressure in the coolant system, which can force hoses off their fittings, or split the hose, or blow a gasket--whatever is the weakest link.  Remember, too, the water-heads don't have oil coolers, so they're relying on the water system alone.

Sadly, many "techs" are actually "parts replacers," (not a compliment in my book), but the pressure to get a bike repaired, and get the money in, will do that.  And if the dealer and the tech get paid for follow-up work to actually correct the problem... >:(   :(
« Last Edit: January 05, 2016, 04:34:59 AM by Para Bellum »
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Blackfish

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Re: Radiator Cooling Fan Failure
« Reply #12 on: April 13, 2016, 06:01:53 PM »

Well, the story continues. The leaking coolant turned out to be a hose that had backed off it's barb due to poor positioning. They trimmed the hose and reattached with a new clamp. So far hasn't leaked again. . .B U T after replacing the ECM in January and riding maybe 5k in between the coolant temp light is back with associated Check Engine. Same codes. Just in time for scheduled service too. Got a call back from service yesterday evening and MOCO is recommending and approving replacing the ECM.

I downloaded the Lemon Law pamphlet today.

Oh, and when I washed it last week I discovered that about 40% of the chrome has peeled off the clutch lever. Not happy with this machine.
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Ironhorse

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Re: Radiator Cooling Fan Failure
« Reply #13 on: April 13, 2016, 06:14:57 PM »

Just curious, if they replace the ECM, does that mean you lose whatever Dyno tune you had?


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Re: Radiator Cooling Fan Failure
« Reply #14 on: April 13, 2016, 07:58:31 PM »

Well, the story continues. The leaking coolant turned out to be a hose that had backed off it's barb due to poor positioning. They trimmed the hose and reattached with a new clamp. So far hasn't leaked again. . .B U T after replacing the ECM in January and riding maybe 5k in between the coolant temp light is back with associated Check Engine. Same codes. Just in time for scheduled service too. Got a call back from service yesterday evening and MOCO is recommending and approving replacing the ECM.

I downloaded the Lemon Law pamphlet today.

Oh, and when I washed it last week I discovered that about 40% of the chrome has peeled off the clutch lever. Not happy with this machine.

So they recommend replacing the previously replaced ECM again.  Yup, and when that doesn't last more than four months what do they suggest going forward?  Trust me, this isn't something being caused by defective ECM's.  Unfortunately for you, most dealerships and H-D itself tend to really suck when it comes to performing diagnostics and finding the root cause of anything.  It's bad enough when dealerships just replace parts without knowing what caused a problem, but when the manufacturer does it I'd say it's time to raise holy hell and contact an attorney.  Make sure you document everything and start contacting H-D corporate yourself, not just the local dealership.  Most lemon laws require that.

JMHO - Jerry
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