Help needed.....ect sensor??

[Jaffer]

Riding home the other night...not riding it hard, honest, the temp warning light came on and the temp display was at max. Bike was running fine the fan was not on and no F1 codes.

It got me home without over heating, checked the following day when cold, radiator is full and there is coolant in the bottle.

the light came on as soon as I turned the ignition on and the guage was at max. She was a bit of a sod to start but it did start, I noticed the temp display was going up and down like a yo-yo, when the was no bars lit the revs would climb to what they should be cold but as soon as the display showed warmth the revs dropped to nearly stall (still cold)

I have done some looking around and asked on another local forum and I have come to the conclusion it's the ECT sensor,

1. Does this sound right?

2. Is that the one located on the thermostat housing between the heads?

3. Is it OK to ride until I get it sorted nxt weekish?

Thanks ( hope this makes sense)

[Jaffer]

BTW its a K3 DL1000

Thanks

[tallpaul]

To comment about point number 3, just so long as you are sure the cooling system IS working (rad not clogged up etc) then I can't see how you could kill it. When you describe the temp gauge as going up and down like a yo yo it sounds like a duff connection or faulty sensor so it sounds like you are on the right track. Hopefully Grey Wolf will be able to shed more light on this shortly...

[Jaffer]

Thanks for the input tallpaul 8-)

[TLPower]

I would check all the wiring harness, if the signal from the ect shorts to ground it will give a high reading on the temp guage. The ecu will also see this high reading and take the appropriate action. If the DL is the same as the Navigator, the coolant sensor (ect) is in the thermostat housing in the middle of the "V".

Never heard of a faulty sensor before, but there is always a first time.

[Jaffer]

Thanks TLPower, temp display is all over the place, not just stuck at hot could this still be a short?

[TLPower]

Yes if it is going to ground intermittently. Also check the ecu plugs are secure and free from dirt.

Does the gauge move erratically with the ignition on and the engine not running? If so try waggling the harness from the sender up to the ecu, I'm fairly certain the corrected signal from the ect goes to the ecu and then ecu sends a signal to the guage. Moving stuff about could highlight where the bugger is.

On the Navigator and on the TL1000S there is a separate switch for the cooling fan in the radiator and an inlet air temp sender in the airbox.

Good luck.

[greywolf]

You can test the ECT sensor with a pan of water on the stove, a thermometer and an ohmmeter.

20 C (68 F) - Approx. 2.45 k ohms
40 C (104 F) - Approx. 1.148 k ohms
60 C (140 F) - Approx. 0.587 k ohms
80 C (176 F)- -Approx. 0.322 k ohms

[Jaffer]

Thanks again tlpower and cheers for your input greywolf, had some great advice will let you know how I get on.

[bigpie]

If this is the sensor in the rad I have a spare in the garage for the 650 if you need one.

[Jaffer]

Cheers bigpie....it's looking like the other sensor in the thermostat housing, will be checking that one too so will let you know. Thanks for the offer

[mr_diver]

Check the fan can turn... some bikes get stones and twigs stuck in there and the fun will not turn.
Sounds like sensor issues rather than coolant issues. But check the level in the coolant expansion bottle.

[greywolf]

Since the temperature goes up as the resistance goes down, also make sure the wire hasn't rubbed itself bare on the frame or engine.

[Juvecu]

I would also pull apart the connector that connects the main loom to the headlight area loom. Check that it's not corroded, a corroded connection can have high resistance and if it's causing an intermittent connection it can cause the fluctuation in the temp reading.

Let us know if you find the cause, it can help someone in the future

[Jaffer]

I would also pull apart the connector that connects the main loom to the headlight area loom. Check that it's not corroded, a corroded connection can have high resistance and if it's causing an intermittent connection it can cause the fluctuation in the temp reading.

Let us know if you find the cause, it can help someone in the future

Thanks for that....

I am going down the lines of replacing the sensor first this weekend, its only £15, while the side is off I'll also check the wiring form the sensor to the ECU. might as well check that headlight connector too. Cheers.

Will let you know if I find the fault and if this cures it

[Jaffer]

Check the fan can turn... some bikes get stones and twigs stuck in there and the fun will not turn.
Sounds like sensor issues rather than coolant issues. But check the level in the coolant expansion bottle.

Thanks Mr diver, I don't think its a fan issue but while I have the bkie in bits I might as well take a look.

 There is plenty of fluid in the bottle and the radiator is full.

[Juvecu]

The sensor is in the fluid when it's screwed in so it might be a good idea to drain some off so the fluid level is lower before you replace it. There is a 10mm head bolt on the water pump cover that can be undone to drain some fluid. Careful though, it spews out practically horizontal and at quite a rate. If you use a clean container you can just put it back in the radiator and overflow bottle again afterwards.

[Jaffer]

The sensor is in the fluid when it's screwed in so it might be a good idea to drain some off...........

Thanks for the tip Juvecu

[Jaffer]

I know its been a while but here's the update......

Finally managed to fit the sensor,  its a fairing off job as its located in the thermostat housing between the two heads.
Haven't been far but up to now it seems to be reading correctly, no warning lights and no temp shown when cold.

Thanks everyone for all the advice.

[hesky66]

Hi Jaffer,  I'm having a simular problem to you with the temp reading on my vstrom 1000 an was wondering were you bought your sensor from for £15 ,   as I've just been quoted £74 from Preston super bikes,  cheers for any advise Andy.