87 thermostatic switch polarity?

Discuss everything about Honda GoldWing. Feel free to ask any question related to GoldWing.

Moderators: CYBORG, Oldewing, robin1731, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
dualsport
Lead Member
Lead Member
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2018 5:43 pm

87 thermostatic switch polarity?

#1

Post by dualsport »

Im not sure polarity is the right word. It is possible to connect the thermostatic switch two ways. The connection is not designed so that it will only plug in one way. Here's my question; my '87 gl1200 ran fine but the fan didn't come on. Testing showed the fan motor was ok. I replaced the thermostatic switch. Now the bike will start and idle ok but after a warm up hitting the throttle produces a clunk from the engine and it stalls. How in the heck can this be connected? Some other gremlin snuck in? The bike ran fine even without a switch. Hopefully it's just installed wrong? Grounding out? If all else fails I can pull it all apart again and rotate the electrical connector 180 degrees and just see if that does anything.
User avatar
CYBORG
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 24537
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
Location: Muskegon mich

Re: 87 thermostatic switch polarity?

#2

Post by CYBORG »

The fan is wired hot all the time. The thermostic sw just provides a path to ground when the water reaches the right temp, and the fan needs to come on. Not a reason for your other problem might ck the fuse
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
dualsport
Lead Member
Lead Member
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2018 5:43 pm

Re: 87 thermostatic switch polarity?

#3

Post by dualsport »

Sounds logical. I'll check the fuses. Thanks for the reply. My old Wings are "extra" now but I can't bear to let them go. Lotta good memories...
User avatar
Track T 2411
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 8482
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 9:37 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Track+T+2411/
Location: Prairie du Sac Wisconsin

Re: 87 thermostatic switch polarity?

#4

Post by Track T 2411 »

"Other gremlins snuck in" is probably correct. Look at stuff you disturbed while doing the repair. It's not uncommon for one thing to lead to another... especially for me, lol!
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
dualsport
Lead Member
Lead Member
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2018 5:43 pm

Re: 87 thermostatic switch polarity?

#5

Post by dualsport »

Well whatever was going on with the clunk and stutter thing seems to have fixed itself! What I like about Goldwings. Just keep going and going. My BIL has an early GL1800 with 230,000 miles on it and it runs fine. No leaks, drips, or smoke. Anyway, I have run into a new problem. Put my '87 back together and can't remember (or figure out) how the horns mounted up. Guess I'm getting CRS. Seems like a no brainer but after an hour of fussing with it I just reassembled enough to go for a ride before dark. The new after market thermostatic switch is now running the fan non-stop. Dang. So, does any one have a photo of the OEM GL1200A horns mounted up? I've looked every where. I have a feeling this is gonna be embarrassing when I see it, but I'm clueless. If I got the horns back on the plastic follows and then I can take the Queen out for a proper ride. Thanks.
User avatar
scootsx2
True Blue Steel Biker
True Blue Steel Biker
Posts: 2485
Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 12:52 pm
Location: St. Louis, Missouri USA

Re: 87 thermostatic switch polarity?

#6

Post by scootsx2 »

dualsport wrote:... The new after market thermostatic switch is now running the fan non-stop.
I have had problems with aftermarket thermo switches. Assuming your fan wiring is OK, just bite the bullet and get an OEM thermo switch.
1975 GL1000 Sidecar Outfit
1982 CX500-based Trident ex-Police Trike
2001 GL1800 MotorTrike
2006 Vespa LX150
1956 Francis-Barnett Falcon 74
195x Solex 1700
196x Solex 2200

St. Louis, MO

The dude abides.

Brothers of the Third Wheel - Gateway Chapter http://www.btw-trikers.org
Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club http://www.vjmc.org
Francis-Barnett Owners Club http://www.francis-barnett.co.uk/
Antique Motorcycle Club of America http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/
Vintage Motor Cycle Club http://www.vmcc.net
British Motorcycle Charitable Trust http://www.bmct.org/
VeloSolex Club UK http://www.velosolexclubuk.com/
User avatar
Rat
Photo Gallery Admin
Photo Gallery Admin
Posts: 15457
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 9:59 pm
My Album: https://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/rat/
RIP: cookie
Location: Toronto .... Canada

Re: 87 thermostatic switch polarity?

#7

Post by Rat »

There’s a good fix for the OEM switch in ShopTalk ....

Gord
"I'd rather Ride than Shine"
‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “GoldWing Tech Discussions”