On weekend my quad heat light starting flashing and put me into limp mode, check rad all clean, fan seems to be running ,only did this when on trail and moving slow, when out on open road no problems and runs good, any other suggestions? When the light flashes does that set any codes for a dealer to get info as to what was failing?
2013 sportsman 850 heating issues
- Thread starter bossman
- Start date
Looking clean and being clean is 2 different things after every ride you have a wash it out good or it turns to concrete in the fins but it may look clean from the outside you have to pressure wash it out and then put a trouble light or flashlight behind it and you have to see thru the rad this is 95% of overheating problems
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- #3
whoDEANie
Active VIP Member
99% of the time it's just a dirty rad, but I have seen overheating heating issues with my friend's 850 that just couldn't be explained. After replacing relays, thermostat, temp sensor, radiator, water pump, stator and ECU, she was still overheating for no apparent reason, so she ended up just skidding that quad and getting another.
A couple of things to check after you confirm that your rad is spotless from edge to edge...
Is your rad full of coolant? It's not good enough to check your resevoir. Remove the rad cap and look inside.
Is your thermostat sticking or stuck closed? When your quad goes into limp mode, both rad hoses and the radiator should be hot to the touch.
A couple of things to check after you confirm that your rad is spotless from edge to edge...
Is your rad full of coolant? It's not good enough to check your resevoir. Remove the rad cap and look inside.
Is your thermostat sticking or stuck closed? When your quad goes into limp mode, both rad hoses and the radiator should be hot to the touch.
neilsleder
Active VIP Member
I would pull the thermostat write out for a ride and see if it over heats then. If it does check water pump and make sure it works.
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AreWeThereYet
Active VIP Member
Rad is dirty, I had to pull mine and clean it thoroughly. Was tired of it so I did a rad relocate.
- Thread starter
- #7
That was my first thought of plugged rad but i have cleaned this from inside and out and when put light in back can see light no problem,so next ride I will see if this happens again then will have to start looking at sensor or thermostat.. Thanks for all the suggestions. I also have a 2007 honda 500 and man never have any issues with that machine, if only had Independant rear suspension ....
Elevate your front end to make sure the antifreeze isn't air locked. Easy thing is leave on your truck ramp a bit, run it a bit then check/add antifreeze level. Or alternatively there's bleed screws on some water pumps, not sure if there is on yours. Coolant gauge connection? Dielectric grease on the connection is good as well. Just what I've seen on some machines....
rzrgade
Active VIP Member
A lot of people ride em "hot " and swell the rad up.... If this was the case ....?? Chances are you needs new rad . Not saying it is , but I have seen it on all brands.
Skegmeister
Active VIP Member
Clean rad, check fan performance. I had a bad bushing which prevented fan speed to up to max when it was needed.
ATV Rancher
Active VIP Member
We've gone through a number of 850s, but on a '13 that was overheating, it was the fan breaker (?) in the fuse box, which is basically the size of a fuse. Replaced it with a 30 amp fuse and problem solved. Some have that breaker and some don't. Just looks like a little fuse on Viagra.
ATV Rancher
Active VIP Member
My son replaced the coolant temp sensor on a different 850 that was heating, a couple days ago, and seemed to take care of it. It was located sort of behind and up a little from the starter.
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