The fan on my 400HO cycles on and off regularly while pushing snow no mater how cold it is!

 

I gained 5 lbs over Christmas. LOL.

Depends what type of snow has been dumped. Kootenay Cement, Columbia Powder, Sierra snow; they all have different densitys and characteristics. The type in the photos are Kootenay Cement.

 

I'm guessing this is a used machine you bought corredt?
If the cooling system is set up right it should cycle the fan no matter how cold it is..if it doesn't then the engine could be running too cold..but no the overheating isn't normal..
Alot of EFI machines do infact have a "limp mode"..I can't swear this one does..but if it is truly so hot that performance is reduced byut HEAT ALONE it should be boiling over and raising all kinds of hell IMO...ie it has to be HOT!!
Ok,I'll start with the basics...are you sure the Radiator is not plugged!! Number 1 reason for overheating on a Polaris. Make sure the rad is clear..you should be able to see through the spaces in the fins..use a good light source behine the rad...
Do you know what kind of fluid is in the system? Does the coolant look clean?
When it overheats does the entire radiator feel hot..no cold spots?
Have you checked the coolant level?
If the reservoir shows a good level,pull the rad cap and make sure it is full..aleak in the small overflow hose can stop the reservoir from feeding the rad..
Is the coolant flowing? With the rad cap off and the engine running watch the coolant..is it flowing?

 

so i took most of the front end off again and also the fan which i didnt do last time...the rad was still a little dirty so i cleaned it really good....i think it was just still too dirty so next time i ride i'll let u know how it went

 

Totally agree with HIGHOCTANE. My fan cycles regardless of temp.

 

Also if the ECM does in fact have a limp mode program it would trigger based on the temp sensor,which would also trigger the HOT indication..there is possibility of a false indication caused by a bad sensor. If you have the means to verify the coolant temp the next time it over heats that will confirm whether it is actually over heating..
Just remember ALWAYS USE CAUTION WHEN DEALING WITH A HOT COOLING SYSTEM..

 

On my 2008 SP500 x2 the fan comes one when the coolant reaches something like 205 degrees and shuts back off once it cools to about 185 (read via the Coolant Temperature Sensor).

 

is there an easy way to put a gauge on it somehow

 

Here you go-http://www.quadovator.com/902058.html

 

Here is a pic of the guage I installed from quadovator. Took a little work to get it installed in the choke hole I should add. To me it's priceless to see just what the temp is all the time. My next mod (after installing the HD springs I just got) is to add an LED that will illuminate when the fan comes on - just I nice thing to see when I'm on the trail.