How to test if fan is working?

[Dakar Gal]

Is there any way to test if the fan is working on the bike (apart from running the bike to see if it will kick in)
Stuck on the M50 last night in heavy traffic and the bike was overheating with the fan not coming on.

 

[Timolgra]

Two ways.

Find the thermo switch and join the contacts together.

Run live wire eg from the battery positive to the pos on the fan.

 

[DrFarkoff]

It's easier than that.

With the engine cold and the ignition off, bike on sidestand and look up from the right hand side of the engine towards the radiator you should be able to see the fan if you reach up and gently oush the blades and try and rotate it??

What happens??

It moves freely?? Then check the fuses! and try Timolgras method

It is very stiff then starts to turn freely? Now check the fuses

It's stuck and won't turn at all?? Organise a replacement fan motor and replace Oh and Check the fuse before you ride merrily off with a new fan It may be marked as "Lufter"

I haven't done too many 650's but the K series were hell for the above I guess the mechanics of my method above are good but I can't remember if there's a fan fuse on a 650???

 

[Padge]

Orla
From memory of messing around with it at the LLandovery run I think it shared the fuse with the Fuel pump, so you'd know pretty quick if the fuse was gone.

I'm guessing it's a new Fan to replace the knackered one, so you could probably assume it works, but just unplug it as Tim says and throw 12V into it to make sure it actually works.
Then try the thermostat and bridge the wires (again as Tim says).
If this doesnt work, your problem is between the Thermo and the Fan.. I doubt the jammed Fan caused any wires to melt before the fuse blew...
Time to get the miltimeter out and look for continuity when disconnected and 12V when connected.

 

[Dakar Gal]

Thanks guys, Ill have a go at that. Yes Padge its the replacement fan, and it spins freely, so as you say its between the thermo and the fan. Fuel pump is working and all the fuses are grand.

 

[Ginger DJ]

Ere you go Gal
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-F650GS-F6...ryZ76120QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Whilst on the subject, how come there is no fan on the CS, same engine n all?

 

[brassmonkey001]

I don't think the fan works too much in this weather. Try bridging it out.

 

[gopher]

Another way, Pull the lead from the engine temp sensor on the right hand side of engine. With ignition on the fan should begin to run.

Finn

 

[Steptoe]

yet another way - remove the relay, bridge the two live wires.

 

[Dakar Gal]

Thanks Guys

Pulling the water temp sensor out worked. The power connector to the fan wasnt snug. Pushing it together made the fan kick in with the temp sensor pulled. Let the bike sit running and the fan kicked in eventually (it is -1C out )

 

[AndyT]

Pulling the water temp sensor out worked. The power connector to the fan wasnt snug. Pushing it together made the fan kick in with the temp sensor pulled. Let the bike sit running and the fan kicked in eventually (it is -1C out )

Excellent result - I was in the garage tonight changing the chargers around and it was Baltic... minus 6 here at the moment, beautiful crystal clear star lit night.

AndyT