Tenere fan not kicking in...!
 

Apologies if this has been asked before although I did search for the question.

I have a 2008 660 Tenere and am getting a little concerned to what temperature the fan should be kicking in and how to test correctly whether it works or not?

During riding in cities etc, the engine temp has been hot against my legs and riding other bikes the fan generally kicks in. I then try to find a straight (ish) stretch to allow air flow to cool the engine down. But alas, the Tenere fan doesn't kick in at all. Is the Ten a super heat absorbing machine which never requires cooling? Methinks not.

I tested the fan direct to the battery, it works and the relay gives a click when connected also. I'm unable to find a temperature sensor even with the parts manual.

So.... a) what's the temperature supposed to be when the fan kicks in?
b) how else can I test whether the system is working correctly or not?
c) where is the temp sensor?

Any answers would be greatly appreciated and I hope you all have a great Xmas and New Year. :D

You've made a good start testing the fan and relay: that's 2 possible sources of the problem eliminated!

First question: has it got a temperature gauge? If yes, and it never goes near the red, don't worry, you're not getting the engine hot enough for the fan! If you really want it to work, you could tape a piece of cardboard over the rad(s) and rag it up a hill in low gear with a large pillon on board: that should wake it up!!

More seriously, and before I get going I should warn I'm no expert on these new fangled water-cooled things, but working from first principles, once you've found the temp sensor (bolted into the side of the rad?), I'd do a basic continuity check. Logically it should be open circuit on a cold engine (can't think why it might be the other way, but you never know...), so short across the feed wires and see if the fan cuts in.

If not, the problem is obviously somewhere else in the circuit: you should be able to do further continuity checks to locate it.

If it does, Bingo! Test the sensor the same way we used to for old style car thermostats (there is probably one of these in your bike too, somewhere). Anyway, boil the sensor in a pan of water and see if it starts to pass current (wear a glove/use pliers to pick it up). The thermostats on the old Brit cars I had used to be stamped with 'summer' or 'winter' and a temperature rating, but they all seemed to either work or not when boiled - difficult to tell the difference between ratings. If the sensor refuses to pass current it's likely jiffed: a new one would be wise.

If it all works, I'd bolt it all back together, having enjoyed learning a bit more about how your bike works, and maybe try my first suggestion so you're confidently Sahara-ready!:thumbup1: Good luck!

Can you get access to the Yamaha diagnostic tool and run a fault code check? I think they cost about 80 quid.

First rule of mechanics: Don't try to fix what ain't broken!

My 2008 tenere fan started working about 2 times in the last 3 years, once in 42 celcius temperature on a piste in Mali and once in very slow traffic. The tenere is a very tough and heat resistant bike, just be very glad for that and leave it at that!:thumbup1:

I just checked the weather forecast for Edinburgh, Scotland. http://www.tenere.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/vardy.gif

I can confirm your fan is working correctly. http://www.tenere.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/thumb.gif

Mezo.

If it helps my Ténéré's fan only kicked in a couple of times in Tunesia, and only during intense midday heat (we're talking around 40°C here) offroading fully loaded two-up in high revs. Even then it was only in the sandy areas with low rear traction, and as soon as the ground got harder and speed increased the fan went silent again. As soon as I hit tarmac it was as if the fan didn't exist, even in blistering heat stuck in African traffic.

Granted, I've only had this bike for a bit more than a year and 12k km but I've yet to see it go off during a standard European summer with temperatures in the low to mid 30s.

ok
 

It would appear I may be worrying over nothing. Ok, I'll let it lie and see how it goes. I think I may invest in a diagnostic tool, any ideas where I can get one from?

Many Thanks to you all for answering.

p.s. Mezo, the bike is in Edinburgh...... I'm in Iraq and killing time by trying to figure out possible known faults and getting all my ordering done so I have lots to do on the bikes when home in the workshop!

Yamaha main dealer should sell you one.

BTW Geoff, what are the weak points of the bike you have found when traveling on it - I wanna address them before I go....

The uncomfortable seat........ expensive to redo so maybe look for an airhawk.

Wiring loom......... inspect all of it for chafing, especially under the steering head and below the fuel tank.

The cush drives as said before are made of cheese. replace and/or use ruber inner tube strips to fill the gaps.

Grease the fitting for the rectifier, electronic grease as it's prone to fail. A cheap alternative is the Fazer600 rectifier but be aware the fitting is slighlty different.

I've fitted bar risers, wider footpegs lower suspension levers and a taller screen. I'm 6'1" and only now it's getting ergenomically correct.

If you have the panniers, beware the locking systems fail after a while as they fill with crud/dust/etc, they key is thin and weak threateneing to snap at any moment.

Check out wwwxt660.com as they know their stuff about the Tenere. Sign in and the forum opens up.

it's now 0613am, the Basrah sun is joining the day, the Ayatollah has started screaming into the microphone (Allah-Akbaaaaaaar!) and another day begins...... grrr if only I could bring my Tenere out here THEN I'd be happy!
Good luck!

Thanks Geoff.

Keep your head down mate - I was there 2005; I hope it's more stable and safer for you.