RTV Cooling Problem

jhoward000 · Aug 31, 2004

I just returned form a 3 hour ride on my new RTV. It did a great job, even in a couple areas of somewhat rough terrain, but I had one problem. After a while, I noticed the temperature gauge was running very close to red area. So far, my gauge had only gone to the mid point, but I haven't ridden it this long before (I've had it 2 weeks). The RTV was on the verge of running hot, because the coolant was actually beginning to boil. Of course, I loaded up the machine and came home. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I checked everything at home and attempted a little troubleshooting. It appears that the electric fan attached to the radiator never cuts on. At least I never could get it to, even after running the RTV back up to temperature (just past the mid-point on the gauge).

I put a multi-meter on the power lead going to the fan motor, and there was no current. Either there is a temperature cut-on point, and I wasn't there yet, or I have a bad relay or Temp sensor (if there is one) that controls the fan. I also checked the fuses and they were fine.

This is obviously a warranty item and I'll take it to the dealer. However, I was wondering if anyone has noticed whether or not the electric fan attached to the radiator on the RTV runs any time the engine is running, or if it cuts on only after the engine reaches a certain temperature? If you raise the cargo bed, you can see the back side of the radiator and the electric fan.

Has anyone had this problem or anything similar?

Thanks...

Dargo · Aug 31, 2004

After about 1/2 hour of running, my radiator fan comes on about the same time as my temp and fuel gauges fog over. I really can't tell you where the temp gauge is when the fan comes on, because I really can't read it; it is completely fogged over. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif However with the radiator fan kicking on, I don't think it is over heating.

bczoom · Aug 31, 2004

Hmmm Now you've got me wondering. I've never heard the fan kick on. I'll watch my temp gauge a lot closer until I see if I have this problem also.

jhoward000 · Aug 31, 2004

When your fan kicks on, is it obvious? Can you hear it?

My fuel gauge fogs up slightly, but my temp gauge doesn't.

jhoward000 · Aug 31, 2004

PROBLEM SOLVED!!

We can only wish all problems were this short-lived.

After a little more troubleshooting, it turns out that my Fan Relay was unplugged for some reason. This is the module in the Fuse area at the far end on the passenger side. The connector was butted up against the relay, but it wasn't actually plugged in. I plugged the connector in, tested it, and now the fan kicks on to cool everything back down just as the temperature gauge passes the half-way mark. WHEW!!

My guess is that my RTV was this way from the factory, but who knows. I'm just glad it was a quick and easy fix! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

bczoom · Aug 31, 2004

Sweet /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I'm going to run out and check mine in a bit.
Anyone know of a way to test it without running up to temp?

lloyd123 · Aug 31, 2004

Here's the two pages covering the testing of the fan in the workshop manual.

Hope it's not crunched down too much to be legible.

flyingn · Aug 31, 2004

hmm come to think of it I never head mine come on.. But then agqain it never get past 1/2 way either so i guess its working.

jhoward000 · Sep 1, 2004

lloyd123,

Thanks for the Workshop Manual pages. I did notice a discrepancy in the manual, however. The relay shown as the "fan motor relay" in the Workshop manual is labeled as the "relay starter" in the RTV Parts Manual. The smaller one on the very end is actually the one that controls the fan on my RTV and is the one that was unplugged. It is simply labeled "Relay" in the Parts Manual. This is why I checked this particular relay. I have no shop manual, so I studied the parts manual and concluded that this was likely the fan motor relay. I checked it and discovered it was unplugged.

I wonder why the discrepancy? The relay that was unplugged on mine seemed to affect nothing but the fan. Oh well.

I just wanted to mention this in case anyone else ever has the problem I had. The procedure in the shop manual would not have led me to my problem, unless I happened to notice the unplugged relay next to the one indicated in the procedure.
/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif