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Offline st468

Radiator fan quit coming on- common problem??
« on: November 08, 2015, 10:23:03 AM »
Hi all,

My 2015 Zforce 800 seems to have developed its first real problem.  Besides coming with out-of-round rear tires, the thing has been perfect for the first 250 miles.  Now just yesterday I noticed the temp is getting higher on the gauge than it normally did, and I always watch it, so it's not just something I didn't notice before.  The fan always came on at around 30-40% to high on the gauge.  Now it can reach as high as 80% and it starts to drip a little out of the overflow (nearly boiling over).  This happens most when riding trails at slower speeds for longer periods (grouse hunting).  Once the machine gets up to a higher speed the temp comes back down to about normal, due to the now cooler temps we are having here in north central Minnesota. 

The fan fuse is good (I replaced it anyway).  I'm now thinking it is probably the relay for the fan.  But before I tear the machine apart to access the relay I thought I'd ask if others may have had this problem and how they handled it.  I think the coolant temp sensor is likely still good since it still seems to accurately drive the temp gauge. 

Any thoughts or advice?  Thanks!

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emersonsc

Re: Radiator fan quit coming on- common problem??
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2015, 11:46:23 AM »
Sounds like the thermal switch on the radiator either went bad or is unplugged. The dripping is caused by the fluid boiling over into the overflow tank which is then over filling. I suggest you don't ride until you get the thermal switch checked and replaced overheating your unit can do a lot of damage.

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Bpraim

Re: Radiator fan quit coming on- common problem??
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2015, 11:51:23 AM »
It's most likely the thermoswitch, they are prone to failure. Fire it up and let it come to temp, about 4 bars on display. If fan doesn't engaged it's the thermoswitch. You can jump it by connecting the two wires, until you can get a replacement.
I suggest a thermoswitch from a Honda, accord, civic ect
They are better quality and will not ruin your day on the trails

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Offline NMKawierider

Re: Radiator fan quit coming on- common problem??
« Reply #3 on: November 08, 2015, 12:14:55 PM »
In any case, no more riding without it working. Overheating is death. I think I remember hearing about bad fan switches too. An easy fix.
2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS
Custom Air Intakes | Custom Exhaust Mod | SuperATV Harness | Custom Fenders | Custom Skid/Rock Sliders | 27" GBC Grim Reapers | Seizmik Mirrors |Конструктор Doors | Dr Pulley Sliders | 1.5" Wheel Spacers | BENZ Silencer (as needed) | SATV Flip Windshield W\ Rear Shield | Dual Light Bars | Diamond Plate Storage |7- 9.7" GPS Systems | Bandit Springs Rear & Gen-3 Shocks Front | Cage Chop Mod

My Videos On YouTube

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Offline st468

Re: Radiator fan quit coming on- common problem??
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2015, 03:46:49 PM »
Thank you so much for the replies so far. Forgive my poor typing right now but im in a tree stand on cellphone. So thermoswitch on radiator? Not the relay behind the glovebox? Where exactly is the plug and switch located on radiator? I referenced the shop manual (got thanks to this excellent forum) and it makes no mention of a switch on the radiator.

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Offline NMKawierider

Re: Radiator fan quit coming on- common problem??
« Reply #5 on: November 08, 2015, 06:43:58 PM »
Passenger side about 3"s below the upper hose.
2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS
Custom Air Intakes | Custom Exhaust Mod | SuperATV Harness | Custom Fenders | Custom Skid/Rock Sliders | 27" GBC Grim Reapers | Seizmik Mirrors |Конструктор Doors | Dr Pulley Sliders | 1.5" Wheel Spacers | BENZ Silencer (as needed) | SATV Flip Windshield W\ Rear Shield | Dual Light Bars | Diamond Plate Storage |7- 9.7" GPS Systems | Bandit Springs Rear & Gen-3 Shocks Front | Cage Chop Mod

My Videos On YouTube

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Bpraim

Re: Radiator fan quit coming on- common problem??
« Reply #6 on: November 08, 2015, 07:43:21 PM »
Passenger side,
you will see a set of two wires plugging into a sensor on the radiator.
you can jump these two wires if stuck in the bush. Meaning somehow connect them togther.
This will turn the fan on constantly. As soon as you turn the key the fan will kick on. But it will get you home.
 Then take the old sensor to any auto parts shop and buy a new one, I don't recommend CFmoto Thermoswitches.

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Offline Cosmosdan

Re: Radiator fan quit coming on- common problem??
« Reply #7 on: November 08, 2015, 08:25:54 PM »
Bpraim, Thanks for the auto parts store idea. This might save me problems when on a trip. Powersports dealers are sometimes very far away when you need them.
2013 Z6 Trail
Iron Baltic skid plates
UE Boom Speaker mount
RZR 800 Shocks
Mostly stock trail riding
25g. Rollers and A1

2016 Outlander max 570
Too new for mods yet

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Bpraim

Re: Radiator fan quit coming on- common problem??
« Reply #8 on: November 09, 2015, 05:02:58 AM »
I have been changing them out for about a Yr now.
Failure is close to 30%

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Offline mayor hal

Re: Radiator fan quit coming on- common problem??
« Reply #9 on: November 09, 2015, 05:08:17 AM »
I have been changing them out for about a Yr now.
Failure is close to 30%

Are there any other parts that seem to go prematurely that we should know about that may be purchased from a Auto parts store?
2015 CF Moto 800 ZForce 53"
UNI Air Filter

Gone but not forgotten!

2012 Can Am 650 Max XT
2007 Can Am 500 Max XT

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Bpraim

Re: Radiator fan quit coming on- common problem??
« Reply #10 on: November 09, 2015, 07:49:14 AM »
Front diff seals
Airfilter
Thermoswitch
Biggest issues
You can get a lot of parts for cfmoto a local auto shops, seals bearings, just bring old ones or write down the spec

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emersonsc

Re: Radiator fan quit coming on- common problem??
« Reply #11 on: November 09, 2015, 08:48:25 AM »
Front diff seals
Airfilter
Thermoswitch
Biggest issues
You can get a lot of parts for cfmoto a local auto shops, seals bearings, just bring old ones or write down the spec

Any specific Model/year thermoswitch we should get?

I know some of the Asian makers have different models/engines/ect than we do in the US.

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Bpraim

Re: Radiator fan quit coming on- common problem??
« Reply #12 on: November 09, 2015, 08:58:04 AM »
Here is a Good one.
Make sure the end has the same oval clip or change out both sides to round clip and the options are endless.

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Offline st468

Re: Radiator fan quit coming on- common problem??
« Reply #13 on: November 09, 2015, 05:49:43 PM »
Excellent information guys, thanks for posting! 

Unfortunately in my case it does not look like it is as simple as the sensor.  I'll probably replace it anyway though since it sounds like they are prone to failure on these machines. 

I found the sensor and jumped the connection with a wire and started the machine and the fan DID NOT come on.  Tried it a couple times while making sure my jump was making good contact.  Now I'm back to thinking the relay is bad, or else maybe the fan motor itself?

The machine is up north at the cabin, and the dealer is down here in the city, which makes things a bit more complicated.  I was still able to use it to get out to my tree stand and back throughout the long weekend (it's our rifle deer season right now).  In the cooler weather it will not go beyond 3 bars on the temp gauge under easy/normal driving conditions so I'm not terribly worried, and I'm hoping I can at least use the machine through my last weekend of the deer season.  It only peed out an ounce or two of coolant from the overflow the one time when I was riding slower for extended time (due to not as much air through the radiator) a few days ago when temps were a bit warmer.  The original factory filled coolant is still just a little above the bottom line in the reservoir.  So until fixed there will be no more put-putting at 10-15mph trail hunting for grouse...  I'm going back up next weekend because we still have 2 tags to fill (I shot mine on opening day ;D)  Then my plan is/was to bring it back to the city and get the rear tires replaced under warranty, get the first oil change since the break-in is complete (it has about 300 miles on it now), and now I have to add the cooling problem to the list.  I'm sure it will be more than just a few days at the dealer so I wanted to bring it back down after I'm done deer hunting.  I'm not going back up for the third and final weekend of the season so this works best.

I know paying the dealer to do the oil change probably sounds foolish, but I thought it might best to have them do at least the first one.  I have learned that doing oil changes on this machine will really make me miss my old King Quad 700!

I am interested to see if any of you guys who are more experienced with these machines have any other thoughts/suggestions/experiences with cooling system issues.  Anything else I should look at?  I will definitely post here what the dealer determines once I bring it in and get it fixed, unless I am able to figure it out beforehand, but in either case I'll make sure to report my results in hopes it could benefit others here. 

Thanks again for the advice and suggestions.

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Offline Cosmosdan

Re: Radiator fan quit coming on- common problem??
« Reply #14 on: November 09, 2015, 11:19:40 PM »
When you get to the root problem, let us know. Might make a repair easier
« Last Edit: November 09, 2015, 11:22:16 PM by Cosmosdan »
2013 Z6 Trail
Iron Baltic skid plates
UE Boom Speaker mount
RZR 800 Shocks
Mostly stock trail riding
25g. Rollers and A1

2016 Outlander max 570
Too new for mods yet