Help, please! Engine overheating 🥵

[Steff]

I have an ongoing problem with my 22GT. I have taken it to two different dealerships and they have not been able to diagnose the issue. Relays are good, continuity is good and the fan motors are good. When I get into traffic I know to switch over to the temp reading because if it goes a half bar above about 50% it will throw a check engine code. If I look at the fans they are usually stopped. They will sometimes kick on for a few weak revolutions and then stop again. I shut the bike down, wait a minute or so and restart. Sometimes the fans kick on, sometimes they don’t. Rinse & repeat. They never seem to kick into high mode. When the traffic clears, the temp goes back to normal, so I think the thermostat is fine. After a few cycles of no traffic the check engine fault goes off. Until next time…. Grrr…

So, after looking at the downloadable repair manual/coolant system I found that it has a PWM Controller. This regulates fan speed. Hmm… Computers use them and you may have heard your fan when it kicks into high mode. So, I ordered one this afternoon. Maybe that’s the issue or maybe not but I think I am on the right track. Thoughts? My issue now, don’t even go there is that I can’t find how the replace the PWM Controller in the searchable database. Remove the cowling? Remove the radiator? Help! Please.

I know it's an old thread. Here's my penny's worth. I was thinking of bypassing all this computer rubbish and fitting a manual switch for the fan. I've done it on other bikes and was happy with the results. This Rocket does not give any visual indication of the temperature. I've never heard any fan noise. I'm not even sure it works, tbh. Anyway, that's my bit off my chest, now back to booting the dog.

 

[Nashvegas]

Next screen to the right after fuel is temperature. Mine only kick on in heavy traffic, but I can hear them if I am stopped. Mine has been perfect since replacing that module.

 

[Steff]

Next screen to the right after fuel is temperature. Mine only kick on in heavy traffic, but I can hear them if I am stopped. Mine has been perfect since replacing that module.

Hu! On a Gen 1? I don't have screens

 

[TURBO200R4]

I know it's an old thread. Here's my penny's worth. I was thinking of bypassing all this computer rubbish and fitting a manual switch for the fan. I've done it on other bikes and was happy with the results. This Rocket does not give any visual indication of the temperature. I've never heard any fan noise. I'm not even sure it works, tbh. Anyway, that's my bit off my chest, now back to booting the dog.

a lot of years ago i was having some problems so i wired (the ground wire that goes to ecu that works good for testing or if it over heats) it to ground, but it will turn on check engine light and set a code if you use it.
you can remove code later.
hth

 

[Nashvegas]

Hu! On a Gen 1? I don't have screens

My bad!

 

[Journeyman]

Next screen to the right after fuel is temperature. Mine only kick on in heavy traffic, but I can hear them if I am stopped. Mine has been perfect since replacing that module.

Which module? I think you answered this in another post. Temperature sensor, I believe.

Mine overheated a long time ago- once, and then has been fine since.... until today. I'm waiting on the Android to power up so I can check codes.

Yesterday I changed oil and topped up the coolant overflow, which was very low or maybe empty- who can see through that milk jug plastic? Wondering if I introduced an air bubble somehow if it was empty. After checking codes I will open radiator cap, start her up and see if I can work out any air that could be in the system. If that doesn't work I recon I need that sensor/module you are referring to.

 

[imcool]

Which module? I think you answered this in another post. Temperature sensor, I believe.

Mine overheated a long time ago- once, and then has been fine since.... until today. I'm waiting on the Android to power up so I can check codes.

Yesterday I changed oil and topped up the coolant overflow, which was very low or maybe empty- who can see through that milk jug plastic? Wondering if I introduced an air bubble somehow if it was empty. After checking codes I will open radiator cap, start her up and see if I can work out any air that could be in the system. If that doesn't work I recon I need that sensor/module you are referring to.

I reckon you are not using OEM coolant, is that correct?

 

[Journeyman]

I reckon you are not using OEM coolant, is that correct?

No, and I feel extremely confident that has nothing to do with it. I've been running Zerex G05 for over 20,000 miles. This first happened many many miles ago (10-15K) and just came up again for the first time since then.

Update- TuneEcu shows the P0117 Coolant Temperature Sensor code. I cleared it and (for now, anyway) no more overheating based on a neighborhood hoodlum run. Either that sensor is "tempermental," or my other theory about an air pocket moving into the system because the overflow tank was so low is correct. I figure someone like @TURBO200R4 might be able to confirm or shoot that idea down.

 

[TURBO200R4]

No, and I feel extremely confident that has nothing to do with it. I've been running Zerex G05 for over 20,000 miles. This first happened many many miles ago (10-15K) and just came up again for the first time since then.

Update- TuneEcu shows the P0117 Coolant Temperature Sensor code. I cleared it and (for now, anyway) no more overheating based on a neighborhood hoodlum run. Either that sensor is "tempermental," or my other theory about an air pocket moving into the system because the overflow tank was so low is correct. I figure someone like @TURBO200R4 might be able to confirm or shoot that idea down.

on mine i run it very low in the over flow tank because it blows most of the fluid out. now if the system is not leaking then you could run it empty and not have a problem as long as the radiator was full.
i suspect that you have a leak or your fan is not working. you can use your tuneecu to trigger the fan or le t it idle for a while to see if it comes on.
its easy to check fuse somes some times they (fuses) just give up the goat and burn out..
i now run a small tank bolted to my crash bar and it stays about 1/3 full.
a friend of mine call and was stuck about 50 miles away with the heat light on because he was in a road work area so he got off the main road and after thing a while i advised him to turn around and head back to tucson thinking he would be ok when he got back up to speed
so made it back and he found a blown fan fuse. may have been bad for a long time the construction zone caused the bike to heat up.
hth
problems could be bad fuse,leaking rad sys,bad temperature sending unit,bad wires, bad fan motor,
if you need help just sing out.

 

[TURBO200R4]

just some info
the ecu reads the temp sensor and if to high them grounds the fan motor so to cool the rad down. the fan has 12 volts so all it needs is the ecu ground.
just noticed you have a 2020 but will probably be the same.