Right, I have had a decent search of the forum but can't see anyone having this one before.
Background is that I replaced the thermostat around 12/15 months ago and it was properly stuck. I had the old 2 bar 3 bar shuffle. I own a small dealership so it WAS done properly and with a mega thorough flush. The swap out cured it.
At the start of the first of cold weather last winter, the temp gauge started dancing around from 3 to 4 to 5 and even to 6 and back up and down again almost like it was a rev counter. Parking up for a while (and letting the engine act as heat sink?) see the display work fine for a while but it then starts the dance again. It works fine during the summer months with temperatures above say 12 degrees C. Only an issue in colder weather.
Investigations reveal:
Plenty of coolant.
Seems to warm up properly on the display until it gets to three bars.
Fan cuts in at around about the same time as it always did regardless of what the display says. The bike does NOT overheat.
Pulling in the clutch and freewheeling for maybe 5 seconds sees the display go to 3 as normal. Re-engaging the clutch sees it go barmy again after a few seconds. Oddly, this does reset NOT repeat while the bike is stationary and with motor running.
The changes in the display are so rapid that they surely cannot reflect the coolant temp as it cannot change that quickly! It is currently winking between 4 and 5 like a indicator tell tale bulb - with the bike stationary and the engine not running!
I have been reluctant to pull her all apart again as she is a working bike (I instruct) and time off the road is lost money.
I have just lived with the "running hot" display and convinced myself that it is all fine but my nerves are getting frayed..... It is not pleasant pressing on with the temp gauge screaming at you!
I suspect the ECT and/or a dodgy connection to it (vibration?) but just wanted to seek counsel here before facing the inevitable minimum 3 day strip/order parts/rebuild nightmare.
As I have been typing this I am wondering if the top end of the ECT's range has just become too sensitive - sending out a bigger signal than is normal??
I am pretty convinced now it's the ECT! Thinking out loud....
Any ideas from you chaps???
Whale
Background is that I replaced the thermostat around 12/15 months ago and it was properly stuck. I had the old 2 bar 3 bar shuffle. I own a small dealership so it WAS done properly and with a mega thorough flush. The swap out cured it.
At the start of the first of cold weather last winter, the temp gauge started dancing around from 3 to 4 to 5 and even to 6 and back up and down again almost like it was a rev counter. Parking up for a while (and letting the engine act as heat sink?) see the display work fine for a while but it then starts the dance again. It works fine during the summer months with temperatures above say 12 degrees C. Only an issue in colder weather.
Investigations reveal:
Plenty of coolant.
Seems to warm up properly on the display until it gets to three bars.
Fan cuts in at around about the same time as it always did regardless of what the display says. The bike does NOT overheat.
Pulling in the clutch and freewheeling for maybe 5 seconds sees the display go to 3 as normal. Re-engaging the clutch sees it go barmy again after a few seconds. Oddly, this does reset NOT repeat while the bike is stationary and with motor running.
The changes in the display are so rapid that they surely cannot reflect the coolant temp as it cannot change that quickly! It is currently winking between 4 and 5 like a indicator tell tale bulb - with the bike stationary and the engine not running!
I have been reluctant to pull her all apart again as she is a working bike (I instruct) and time off the road is lost money.
I have just lived with the "running hot" display and convinced myself that it is all fine but my nerves are getting frayed..... It is not pleasant pressing on with the temp gauge screaming at you!
I suspect the ECT and/or a dodgy connection to it (vibration?) but just wanted to seek counsel here before facing the inevitable minimum 3 day strip/order parts/rebuild nightmare.
As I have been typing this I am wondering if the top end of the ECT's range has just become too sensitive - sending out a bigger signal than is normal??
I am pretty convinced now it's the ECT! Thinking out loud....
Any ideas from you chaps???
Whale
