[Spaceman78]

I thought I would mention this because the dealer said I wasn't the first to have this problem.

A few days ago, my Z started overheating. I saw that the fan wasn't working. I checked for all the usual things, like blown fuses and loose wires. I couldn't find the problem, so I called the dealer. He said it was a thermal switch in the radiator. It is still under warranty, but the dealer recently moved to the next county. I didn't want to borrow a trailer and haul it over there for something so small. So he took a new switch and dropped it off at another business he still owns in this county, so I could pick it up and change it my self. I changed it this evening. After a test ride, it seems to be fixed. Tomorrow, I'll take the old switch back to where I picked the new one up, so the dealer can get it. I assume, since it's under warranty, he has to send it back to the distributor to prove it was changed.

[NMKawierider]

Yeah this seems to be a common problem.

[Spaceman78]

I thought I could remember someone else on here having a similar problem, but I couldn't find the thread.

[emersonsc]

I got word first thing this morning that CFMOTO has changed vendors for their thermoswitches due to quality issues.

ETA on the new thermoswitches is 2 weeks.

I have about 10 or so on order.

[Spaceman78]

Good. I figure my new one will probably go bad right after the warranty runs out.

[NMKawierider]

Good. I figure my new one will probably go bad right after the warranty runs out.

Lol..then mine is due. Warranty ran out last month.

[Sockman]

I had an overheat issue yesterday.  Just doing some slow speed trail riding in the woods, went up a big hill, noticed the dummy light came on, and heard the radiator sizzling.  Let her set for a bit, then rode home.  Once some air got to the radiator it was fine.  Fans did not come on, so it would appear I have the dreaded issue with the thermoswitch.  Calling the dealer Monday. 

[NMKawierider]

I had an overheat issue yesterday.  Just doing some slow speed trail riding in the woods, went up a big hill, noticed the dummy light came on, and heard the radiator sizzling.  Let her set for a bit, then rode home.  Once some air got to the radiator it was fine.  Fans did not come on, so it would appear I have the dreaded issue with the thermoswitch.  Calling the dealer Monday. 

This is the very reason many of us have a bypass switch in place... High-heat is the mortal enemy of all engines...especially these it seems. On the trail you can always just pull the connector to the fan switch and jumper it with anything handy. Make something up and keep it in the glove box if nothing else. Mine hasn't gone out...yet...but I have a by pass in place because with these its a matter of "when"..not "if" it goes bad.

[Sockman]

Well this happened about 15 minutes after we had stopped for a bit, so the machine had to be fine at that point.  It was steaming out of the overflow, and that radiator was crazy hot.  Don't think I did any damage.  As soon as the red temp light came on, I shut it down.

Edit:  Just went and looked it over.  Added a bunch of coolant.  Went to look at the sensor, and one of the wires pulled out of the socket.  I don't think it was making a connection.  Pushed it back in into the socket until it clicked.  Jumped the fans just to make sure they work, and all good there.  Plugged it back and we'll see if that was the issue.

Double edit:  Fixed!  Rode yesterday and fan kicks on as it should.

[Mark]

Can someone help me out with the locations of the radiator fan relay, and the coolant temperature sensor? I see the relay in the service manual on pg 4-10, and the sensor on pg 15-16 but don't know where there located on the machine.

[NMKawierider]

Can someone help me out with the locations of the radiator fan relay, and the coolant temperature sensor? I see the relay in the service manual on pg 4-10, and the sensor on pg 15-16 but don't know where there located on the machine.

The fan switch AKA Thermoswitch is located on the upper right side of the radiator on the Zs. The fan relay is with the rest of the relays behind the glovebox..and a bitch to get to I might add....and the coolant temperature sensor is on...I believe the front head(might be rear) close to it's thermostat housing. Its the only thing on the head with wires to it.

[Karmis]

You may consider wiring in a Manuel fan switch also. Those thermo switches fail all to often. Nice to have a backup plan just in case

[longs.rv]

Okay after joining this forum about 6 months ago and doing a ton of reading about the issues that members were having with the Z-Force 800 I have finally experienced my first issue. My wife and I left the Phoenix area and trailered to Payson, AZ for a holiday weekend of riding. About 30 miles out on the trail I noticed the temperature starting to rise beyond normal. I didn't think to much of it because we were climbing some long grades in the mountains. All of a sudden it crept up to the H on the gauge and the gauge started blinking. I immediately shut it off. I gave it a few minutes to cool, checked the coolant and I could here a boiling sound but no loss of coolant. I remembered the posts about the thermoswitch but had no way to jump it. Fortunately with all the downhill runs we made it back to the trailer as it seemed the faster I went the cooler it would be. I did hear the fan come on a couple of times and it would cool down to normal but when the fan quit the temp would rise above normal again but I never let it get so hot the gauge would flash. I never did lose any coolant. I reread the post about bypassing the switch with a paperclip and I did so out in the parking lot of the motel when we returned. Turned the ignition on and the fan came on immediately. I am going to try to save the weekend and ride tomorrow but I am curious as to whether the fan running constantly would take a toll on the battery after a while?
The moderators and user input on this forum is phenomenal. Keep up the great work!

[NMKawierider]

Okay after joining this forum about 6 months ago and doing a ton of reading about the issues that members were having with the Z-Force 800 I have finally experienced my first issue. My wife and I left the Phoenix area and trailered to Payson, AZ for a holiday weekend of riding. About 30 miles out on the trail I noticed the temperature starting to rise beyond normal. I didn't think to much of it because we were climbing some long grades in the mountains. All of a sudden it crept up to the H on the gauge and the gauge started blinking. I immediately shut it off. I gave it a few minutes to cool, checked the coolant and I could here a boiling sound but no loss of coolant. I remembered the posts about the thermoswitch but had no way to jump it. Fortunately with all the downhill runs we made it back to the trailer as it seemed the faster I went the cooler it would be. I did hear the fan come on a couple of times and it would cool down to normal but when the fan quit the temp would rise above normal again but I never let it get so hot the gauge would flash. I never did lose any coolant. I reread the post about bypassing the switch with a paperclip and I did so out in the parking lot of the motel when we returned. Turned the ignition on and the fan came on immediately. I am going to try to save the weekend and ride tomorrow but I am curious as to whether the fan running constantly would take a toll on the battery after a while?
The moderators and user input on this forum is phenomenal. Keep up the great work!

Now you know why I and many others went a head and put bypass switches in.. The fan pulls well under what the stator puts out so as long as you are above idle you won't have an issue with the battery.

[longs.rv]

Thank you nmkawierider. I thought so but wasn't sure. I don't want to put the bypass switch in until warranty has expired. dealers can be funny about any mods done at times.