FJR Fan Switch

[IronHorse]

I have been trying to figure out a way to get the FJR's cooling fans

to come on sooner. She runs at about 4 bars while riding around

town but when I pull up to a light and sit she runs up to about 8 or 9

bars then the fans come on so when I pull away I get the shin searing heat.

After a couple of miles she cools back down and so on. You guys get

the point. I know there is a sensor in the coolant line that tells the fans

to kick on at a certain temp. Say 215 I'm wondering if I could buy one

that simply triggers the switch at a different temp? IE: 195 ish

Now I know many of you will be in a huff over this but I'm trying to figure

out a way to get this done. Not a reason why I shouldn't. I know it works

fine. Lot's of stuff works fine on our bikes but we choose to change it

anyways. I Farkle, therefor I am.

Any Ideas, thoughts? Things to try?

Thanks All

 

[Ignacio]

Buy a lower temperature thermostat to get a jump on that surge of heat you're planning for. Or buy the special blue coolant that runs 10 degrees cooler. It's $15 a gallon, but fixes hot FJRs right up.

 

[SkooterG]

Lot's of stuff works fine on our bikes but we choose to change it anyways.

And usually not for the better.

Put me in the 'I don't get it' camp. If your fan now comes on at 195, won't you be getting that hot blast sooner, and more often?

 

[IronHorse]

Ahh yes but not nearly as hot!

Thanks Ignacio, great Idea, I did the same on my Honda 450 and it worked quite well.

I'll definitely give it a go.

 

[IronHorse]

And usually not for the better.

Put me in the 'I don't get it' camp. If your fan now comes on at 195, won't you be getting that hot blast sooner, and more often?

The fan comes on at over 200, I would like it to come on at 195 the fans would run more often but the bike would stay 15 to 20

degrees cooler. I'm ok with the hot blast just not the skin searing one.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Ahh.., the machine -- human interface.

Is it better to operate the machine within its design parameters (and force the human to adjust)? Or, to modify the machine to operate within the sensibilities of the rider (and.., damn the mechanical/engineering requirements)?

 

[BrunDog]

I have a switch on my '05 that turns the radiator fan on (it does the same thing the ECU does to the fan relay - provides a path to ground). It is a waterproof style with a waterproof boot in black, and it is mounted in the left side panel. I often turn it on if I park the bike idling, or if I am going to be in slow traffic. Living in FL, I have found this very helpful to prevent the intense blasts of heat you mentioned. Works very well, and I highly recommend it.

-BD

 

[SkooterG]

I have a switch on my '05 that turns the radiator fan on (it does the same thing the ECU does to the fan relay - provides a path to ground). It is a waterproof style with a waterproof boot in black, and it is mounted in the left side panel. I often turn it on if I park the bike idling, or if I am going to be in slow traffic. Living in FL, I have found this very helpful to prevent the intense blasts of heat you mentioned. Works very well, and I highly recommend it.
-BD

WTF?!?!? How would you know? You don't even ride your freakin FJR!

:****:

with

:wub:

 

[FJRmogul]

I need some of that blue coolant. What brand are you guys using?

My Gen 1 always runs at 3 bars and goes to 4 whenever I'm at a light.

I have also done the WC blow flush recently with no change in temp. I guess I should also replace my thermostat .....never thought to check that.

 

[IronHorse]

Great Idea Scooter, I'm all over that! Finally someone that's on the same page.

 

[BrunDog]

I have a switch on my '05 that turns the radiator fan on (it does the same thing the ECU does to the fan relay - provides a path to ground). It is a waterproof style with a waterproof boot in black, and it is mounted in the left side panel. I often turn it on if I park the bike idling, or if I am going to be in slow traffic. Living in FL, I have found this very helpful to prevent the intense blasts of heat you mentioned. Works very well, and I highly recommend it.
-BD

WTF?!?!? How would you know? You don't even ride your freakin FJR!

:****:

with

:wub:

Yeah, yeah. I know. Ain't proud of it.

Actually put 900 miles on this week. That should do it for the year, I s'pose...

-BD

 

[BrunDog]

Great Idea Scooter, I'm all over that! Finally someone that's on the same page.

Wait... what? You giving that sorry sack o' crap credit for flippin' me off? What the...

-BD

 

[IronHorse]

Oh Sorry Brundog, My mistake, I was meaning to thank you for the switch idea not endorse your abuse!

So where did you run the switch from? Coolant temp sensor?

 

[FJRGuy]

I have a switch on my '05 that turns the radiator fan on (it does the same thing the ECU does to the fan relay - provides a path to ground). It is a waterproof style with a waterproof boot in black, and it is mounted in the left side panel. I often turn it on if I park the bike idling, or if I am going to be in slow traffic. Living in FL, I have found this very helpful to prevent the intense blasts of heat you mentioned. Works very well, and I highly recommend it.
-BD

Please share details! I like the idea even though I wouldn't need it very often. Where did you tap into the wiring?

 

[BrunDog]

I would have to look at the bike schematic to be sure, but if I recall, the switch simply grounds one of the power terminals of the fan relay. The other power terminal is fused +12V. So, one side of your switch is grounded, the other ties directly in parallel to the wire coming from the ECU, which again, grounds to complete power to the fan relay.

*EDIT*: Found this old thread, which will shed more light. It looks like my wiring mentioned above is correct.

Click me chief!

-BD