Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Help! electrical problems

[rob holmes]

just tested the fan, the temperature reached 180+ and did not kick in. I then connected a wire from the battery to the fan and the fan works fine. Very puzzled at the minute. I did discover a leak on my expansion tank though, don,t know if that is also affecting things??

[DEMON]

So you could have a faulty fan thermostat.
the split tank is becoming a common problem on this forum, and there is a sensor connected to it too..check it over

[rob holmes]

will look at it now, and let you know,

[rob holmes]

everything looks ok with the sensor,i'm still waiting for the spark to come with his testing equipment to see if he can fin any problems.

[DEMON]

any news ? you've gone quiet !

[Strada916]

I have noticed on my 1996 916 that the fan does not cut in until the water reaches 210, whereas Haynes says it should start at 197.

When I get time I'm planning to remove the fan sensor and test it in pan of water on the cooker, to see if it's at fault or if the temp guage is wrong?

[rob holmes]

No news yet, the electrician has not been able to come round yet. Bought a new expansion tank from Ducati Leeds today and he advised that i renew my fan thermostat and also that my electrical problem could be the wiring around the starter relay. Had a look around it and could not see any damage,could the afaulty fan thermostat be causing the fuse to blow?

[DEMON]

in a short answer yes.
Have you looked at your official hanbook wiring diagram for the bike, because the one i have here shows a 15A fuse at that location, yet you said you had a 20A one fitted ?

[rob holmes]

yes mate looking at my Haynes manual now and it says 20a and 5a fuses.Gotta wait until saturday for my replacement fan thermostat to arrive.

[nelly]

Don't get too worried by a small difference in temps where the fan activates. the temp gauge isn't the most accurate and even a small amount of dirt or a semi loose connection will alter the reading.
I don't think the fan or engine temp is the cause of your problems. The ECU/pump relays are the most likely but any of the sensors going to earth could blow the fuse.
I'd try disconnecting all the sensors and connections on the ECU loom and reconnect each one in turn. if/when the fuse blows then you've isolated your problem area.
I'd also suggest nipping it to your nearest dealer for an interogation by the Mathesis tester. The ECU will return error codes on sensor earth problems, and will hold these in memory.
Could save you hours in tracing the fault.