c650gt overheating?

[moodleman]

Today, as I was riding my 2018 c650gt, the dreaded red triangle lit up. along with a little thermometer icon. Stopped the bike but could find no obvious sign of overheating - no steam, no smoke, no heat, no hot-motor smell. Couldn't see liquid level in the sight gage, but it is usually invisible anyway. Took off the little rubber cap on the coolant system, no steam. The radiator fins felt cool to the touch.

Rode on - after a few minutes the light went off. But came on again 20 minutes later. Eventually the red triangle disappeared.

I am thinking it was most likely a fault in the temperature sensor, or somewhere else in the electronics.

Is my motoscan app with the OBDLink going to be any help in diagnosing this? If so, how? All suggestions welcome!

 

[motomanjim]

Today, as I was riding my 2018 c650gt, the dreaded red triangle lit up. along with a little thermometer icon. Stopped the bike but could find no obvious sign of overheating - no steam, no smoke, no heat, no hot-motor smell. Couldn't see liquid level in the sight gage, but it is usually invisible anyway. Took off the little rubber cap on the coolant system, no steam. The radiator fins felt cool to the touch.

Rode on - after a few minutes the light went off. But came on again 20 minutes later. Eventually the red triangle disappeared.

I am thinking it was most likely a fault in the temperature sensor, or somewhere else in the electronics.

Is my motoscan app with the OBDLink going to be any help in diagnosing this? If so, how? All suggestions welcome!

First of all, let me say that there are others on the forum far more qualified to respond to your request for help. From what you have described, it appears that your engine was not overheating and it very well may have been a temperature sensor malfunction. At any rate, a fault was most likely generated and while I use the Motoscan Ultimate version, I can’t say what the specific fault code would be as I’ve not experienced this problem. And while the GS911 and Motoscan don’t tell you how to fix the problem, you are given a starting point. If your Motoscan directs you to the temperature sensor, then the upper panel on the right side of the scooter will have to be removed. The sensor is to the right and slightly above the cam chain tensioner.

The sensor part number is 13621433076 and sells for $57.79 USD at Max BMW. You might be able to clean the electrical connector to the sensor with spray electronic contact cleaner as there may be corrosion. And I would also recommend removing the sensor for cleaning as well. I know it would be an exercise in futility to do all this work, put the panel back on and have the problem to occur again. But that’s what I would do. Replacing the sensor is of course the other option.

While gaining access to the sensor is a little challenging, a hose can be released from its plastic holder to make it easier for removing the electrical connector. And once the connector is removed, you should be able to remove the sensor fairly easily. I will be interested in the Motoscan results when you’re able to do that.

 

[emseedee]

Today, as I was riding my 2018 c650gt, the dreaded red triangle lit up. along with a little thermometer icon. Stopped the bike but could find no obvious sign of overheating - no steam, no smoke, no heat, no hot-motor smell. Couldn't see liquid level in the sight gage, but it is usually invisible anyway. Took off the little rubber cap on the coolant system, no steam. The radiator fins felt cool to the touch.

Rode on - after a few minutes the light went off. But came on again 20 minutes later. Eventually the red triangle disappeared.

I am thinking it was most likely a fault in the temperature sensor, or somewhere else in the electronics.

Is my motoscan app with the OBDLink going to be any help in diagnosing this? If so, how? All suggestions welcome!

My 2013 model did something very similar. Only sign of overheating was the alert sign on the panel. Turned out that the fan fuse had failed.

 

[moodleman]

Thanks, emseedee. I was quite excited to think it could be something so simple! But no. Checked the fuses, all OK. Will just have to wait until the red light comes on again, and check with the OBD. But while the RH panel is off, I will certainly be looking closely at those fuses again. Maybe all it needs is a bit of a jiggle.

 

[moodleman]

More on that red light (temerature): I finally got sick of it and bought an aftermarket replacement temp sensor. Took the RH panels off and, expecting to simply remove the original sensor, instead discovered that in order to replace it, it is necessary to actually loosen the engine in its frame to get access! Perhaps there is some special tool? So I used the Last Resort - rode to my local friendly BMW dealer. "Leave it with us." Later that day they had had a look at it and diagnosed it as a malfunction in the OIL PRESSURE SENSOR. 2 weeks later they rang me to say the bike is OK now. I collected it, sure enough the sensor light is now off while riding. Success! Only problem was a classic case of Break My Wallet - the charges for this were $980. Almost a grand for fixing a light on the dashboard! Well I am nearly 80, so I guess it is probably my last bike. It is certainly my last BMW!