Fan thermo switch; is this right? (cheap FIX?)

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littlebeaver
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Re: Fan thermo switch; is this right? (cheap FIX?)

#61

Post by littlebeaver »

I have learned a thing or two about these fan switches, you can actually fix the oem switch, the end cap part gets gunk under the cap, clean it out with a wire off a bread wrapper, soak it in carb cleaner, if you get stuff out of the underside then you know it might just work now... Also unscrew the shaft just under the end probe with a pair of small vise grips and open it up, inside is a pin that activates the switch when it closes, I had gunk in mine, clean it up, put some locktight on threads and put it back together, it should work like new now. Don't try turning the end probe to remove it, unscrew at the shaft only you could damage the end probe and it won't be good...I had to grind my vise grips down to get it in there but it was worth it, the best thing about this is it's free...I'm new here and wanted to share what I have learned...Oh yeh, on the after market switches I put in two male post in the plastic casing and filled it with jb weld and presto instant plug..
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Re:

#62

Post by badrice »

RB wrote:Not to high jack the thread but..a PO permanently wired the fan tot eh ignition somehow so it comes on where I turn the key on to start the bike. I'd like to put a switch in the wire so I can at least turn it off when starting the bike. What I need to know is where the fan wires hit someplace easy to get to on the frame so I can wire in a switch and place it in a handy location.
Rather than messing with an on/off switch that can be forgotten may I suggest you install a time delay relay set for 30 seconds to 5 minutes. That would give you the time to start the bike and allow it to warm up prior to the fan coming on.

Just a thought.

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Juanjo
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Re: Fan thermo switch; is this right? (cheap FIX?)

#63

Post by Juanjo »

just order the new switch


BECK/ARNLEY 2011614 Radiator Fan Switch
Wholesaler Closeout -- 30 Day Warranty $ 7.36 $ 0.00 1 $ 7.36


just over $10 with shipping..

the old switch in my 78 turn the fan on when is 3/4 of the gauge hot.. and turn off when is past half the gauge... no liking it much, mush less with summer fast approaching..

let see if this 10 bucks were well spend.. will update.
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The Subliminator
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Re: Fan thermo switch; is this right? (cheap FIX?)

#64

Post by The Subliminator »

OK I'm a long way from home and I need the automotive crossover part numbers for a fan switch for a '79. I need the ones that are known to work and drop right in. I need this stat. Can anyone help?
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Re: Fan thermo switch; is this right? (cheap FIX?)

#65

Post by ericheath »

I think it's in the shoptalk under crossover parts. I'll look and add if I find it. Here : FAN SWITCH
roady did the research for this, i didnt see it here in this list so here is the link to his post. octane posted the interchange list and it will fit a bunch of gl's.
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 3965#63965
here is the link to rock auto
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php
click on part number search
here is the part number
2011614
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Re: Fan thermo switch; is this right? (cheap FIX?)

#66

Post by The Subliminator »

Wound up putting in a toggle switch to bypass it. An old winger told me it's called a parsde switch. Got me through NYC traffic just fine,
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jondog9
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Re: Fan thermo switch; is this right? (cheap FIX?)

#67

Post by jondog9 »

I know this is an old thread, and sort of got sidetracked about cheaper alternative switches.
Getting back to the original question this thread started out to be - how to test the switch - I wanted to encourage people to test that brand new thermoswitch before stuffing it in the bike assuming it's good. I say this because I got a brand new switch yesterday from Honda, and it was defective. Better to find that out before you install it, right? :roll:

It's as simple as hooking the two probes from your multimeter to the two posts on the switch. Doesn't matter which side red and black go on.
Set your multimeter to the lowest ohm setting, then take a reading on the switch while it's still cold. It should read infinity; open circuit.
Then get some 50/50 antifreeze/water in an old pot and get it to boiling. You should be able to reach at least 235F which is well above the temp required to close the circuit inside the switch.

Image

Then dip the switch about halfway into the almost boiling antifreeze- (I was at about 225F degrees)
Wait a few moments, like about 10 or 15 seconds and the switch will click and that's when your resistance reading shows up. Closed circuit. Yayy!

Image
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Re: Fan thermo switch; is this right? (cheap FIX?)

#68

Post by Roady »

That's excellent, Dog! Just what I needed a few years back. ;)
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Re:

#69

Post by leggman »

rcmatt007 wrote:just remember about aftermarket switches they aint all the same.... sabre cycle slls some that have a different operating temp... then he sends you rude emails when you want your money back....
$40... less then a dinner out
$40.... 4 1/2 viagra pills
$40.... cheaper than an ebay engine
I would use a manual switch before I give up my Viagra :lol:
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Re: Fan thermo switch; is this right? (cheap FIX?)

#70

Post by rcmatt007 »

just recently bought a new thermo switch, a heck of a lot more than the $40 I quoted a few years back
-Rodger-
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Re: Fan thermo switch; is this right? (cheap FIX?)

#71

Post by chewy999 »

rcmatt007 wrote:just recently bought a new thermo switch, a heck of a lot more than the $40 I quoted a few years back
Just had a look and they are £40 ($53) here for a repro unit. Not sure if you can still get genuine ones, but I managed to get one a few years back. Can't remember what I actually paid, but figured it would last longer than a dodgy copy, although I daresay some will work fine!

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1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
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Re: Fan thermo switch; is this right? (cheap FIX?)

#72

Post by rcmatt007 »

it was about $80 and that was from Honda.... so still available
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
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tlbranth
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Re: Fan thermo switch; is this right? (cheap FIX?)

#73

Post by tlbranth »

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Re: Fan thermo switch; is this right? (cheap FIX?)

#74

Post by tlbranth »

I've had a problem where my fan seems to come on a bit early and then stays on. I set up the apparatus to test using antifreeze/distilled water 50/50. I started out with oil but decided it'd be too easy to set my shop afire with that setup. I had the switch from my bike and a spare. I should say that I went through the disassembly/vinegar regimen prior to this test and everything was moving freely. The spare never turned on so it's no good. The one off the bike turned on at 200 deg.F., which is close enough but as the fluid cooled, it wouldn't turn off. When it got down to 135 deg.F, I tapped on the switch with a screwdriver and, after some contortions, turned off. So I reckon the bulb part of the switch is OK but whatever return mechanism the switch uses is gummed up. It's probably sealed off from the outside so probably no lubing would work. So I'm ordering the substitute recommended by Roady and others. I will, however, get my mitts on a connector for it. This switch is not easy to get to and soldering stuff together seems like a good way to make future replacement a real chore. Once The sender comes, I'll eyeball it for a connector. I have the radiator out already for other reasons so wiring in the correct connector will be fairly easy and make for simple (did I say that?) replacement. When I get all this together and, if it works, will post where to get what.
Terry
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Re: Fan thermo switch; is this right? (cheap FIX?)

#75

Post by Whiskerfish »

The one on my 75 does the same thing. Turns on and does not turn off till the bike is shut down cold. My in town bike so it has never been a big enough issue for me to bother with.
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