My temp light comes on after just a few minutes of spirited riding. When I shut it down the fan only runs for a few seconds or sometimes doesnt need to run at all. The bike doesnt feel hot either. I checked all the basics, "pressure in the coolant tank and radiator, coolant flowing good, coolant filter clean, new oil and filter, spotless radiator screen and fins, not running lean. If everything leans towards it not really being hot, why is the temp light coming on? I cant just ignore it, but it might be crying wolf.

 

Its not too difficult to check the sensor. Remove it and put it in a pot of water on the stove with a thermometer in the water. Heat it up and check continuity. It should not read any continuity untill about 210 degrees or so.

 

Veeman,

Nice try, but in most places boiling water will never get hot enough to test your sensor. I had the temp sending switch on an 04 grizzly fail and did this with an ohm meter and cooking oil to check it. the Grizzly needed 217F to test it for functioning. Water will never get hotter then 212F at sea level under normal temp and pressure. So as you move up in elevation water boils at lower temps so you can't use this test. Replace water with antifreeze if your not worried about staying healthy or use cooking oil if you like your health.

Most likely your sending unit is bad and replacing it will be easy and not too expensive.

Temperature sending units are very fragile and can break internally if dropped.

 

Thanks guys.