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'21+ Radiator Fans not turning off - stuck relay! Blocked grills a cause?

S

Snoozer

Member
I have a 2021 RT Limited and recently the radiator cooling fans would come on and not go off even when I turned off the engine. Not good. I was close to my dealer, so I dropped in, and they had a tech look at it. It was determined that a relay for the fans was stuck and would not shut off. $17 dollars later a new relay was ordered. When I got home, I pulled the relay and waited for a new one. I got the new relay and installed it, problem solved. I was wondering if this could be a continuing problem and was going to purchase an extra relay. I wanted to touch up some paint on the front (I hate piano black), so I took off the Kott Grills and discovered a huge amount of bugs and other crap in there. I cleaned out everything and cleaned the stock grills, but I am wondering if that caused the relay to malfunction.

My best advice is to make sure you keep those grills clean on a consistent basis. I rode to Alaska from Colorado this summer (8500 miles) and going through Wyoming, Montana and Colorado there were a ton of grasshoppers. I spent three days cleaning once I got back but neglected to look at the fans. I now plan to keep a closer eye on the radiator fans.

I hope this helps everyone.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Snoozer said:
I have a 2021 RT Limited and recently the radiator cooling fans would come on and not go off even when I turned off the engine. Not good. I was close to my dealer, so I dropped in, and they had a tech look at it. It was determined that a relay for the fans was stuck and would not shut off. $17 dollars later a new relay was ordered. When I got home, I pulled the relay and waited for a new one. I got the new relay and installed it, problem solved. I was wondering if this could be a continuing problem and was going to purchase an extra relay. I wanted to touch up some paint on the front (I hate piano black), so I took off the Kott Grills and discovered a huge amount of bugs and other crap in there. I cleaned out everything and cleaned the stock grills, but I am wondering if that caused the relay to malfunction.

My best advice is to make sure you keep those grills clean on a consistent basis. I rode to Alaska from Colorado this summer (8500 miles) and going through Wyoming, Montana and Colorado there were a ton of grasshoppers. I spent three days cleaning once I got back but neglected to look at the fans. I now plan to keep a closer eye on the radiator fans.

I hope this helps everyone.
Click to expand...

To the best of my knowledge ....Not turning off if engine shut down is normal ..... This has occurred to me a few times .... of course a STUCK relay could happen, but it's not common .....Mike :thumbup:
 
BLUEKNIGHT911 said:
To the best of my knowledge ....Not turning off if engine shut down is normal ..... This has occurred to me a few times .... of course a STUCK relay could happen, but it's not common .....Mike :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I thought so too. I always shut it down even if the fan was running so I was a bit surprised when I came out of the house and it was still running. It tried to shut down for a second or two but would start right back up. I am just glad it was a relay and not a bunch of money.
 
Relays are pretty bullet proof. You must have gotten a defective one. You may never have another relay issue so I wouldn't worry about it. Also, those are standard relays that you can pick up at any auto parts store.
 
Snoozer said:
I have a 2021 RT Limited and recently the radiator cooling fans would come on and not go off even when I turned off the engine. Not good. I was close to my dealer, so I dropped in, and they had a tech look at it. It was determined that a relay for the fans was stuck and would not shut off. $17 dollars later a new relay was ordered. When I got home, I pulled the relay and waited for a new one. I got the new relay and installed it, problem solved. I was wondering if this could be a continuing problem and was going to purchase an extra relay. I wanted to touch up some paint on the front (I hate piano black), so I took off the Kott Grills and discovered a huge amount of bugs and other crap in there. I cleaned out everything and cleaned the stock grills, but I am wondering if that caused the relay to malfunction.

My best advice is to make sure you keep those grills clean on a consistent basis. I rode to Alaska from Colorado this summer (8500 miles) and going through Wyoming, Montana and Colorado there were a ton of grasshoppers. I spent three days cleaning once I got back but neglected to look at the fans. I now plan to keep a closer eye on the radiator fans.

I hope this helps everyone.
Click to expand...

Had my replacement relay on my 21. 8000 miles
No problem since
 
This happened to my 21 RTL with 15K on it. Was 300 miles from home. Disconnected the relay at the hotel. Was going home the next morning and was on a Sunday with no parts houses available, including on the route home. Remote Nevada. Rode home without it, just kept an eye on the temp. No stop and go traffic. Went to a Napa the next day as the closest dealer was 120 miles away. Original relay is a 50 amp, could only buy a 30. Got one to get it working again. Called the dealer, but was not an item they stocked, and might have one in a week or so. got the part number and bought an original one on Amazon for $15. along with a spare. No issues in 2500 miles so far. I'm thinking is was fluke
 
Possible (not guaranteed) sequence of events: Bugs in the radiators cause fan motors to overheat. Overheated motors draw extra current. Extra current welds the relay contacts.
 
chipveres said:
Possible (not guaranteed) sequence of events: Bugs in the radiators cause fan motors to overheat. Overheated motors draw extra current. Extra current welds the relay contacts.
Click to expand...

In my case, I have grill covers, no bugs or trash anywhere, just a faulty relay
 
Happened to me on my 2020 RTL going through Galveston. After twenty minute break, hit relay and fans stopped. Did not happen again.
 
chipveres said:
Possible (not guaranteed) sequence of events: Bugs in the radiators cause fan motors to overheat. Overheated motors draw extra current. Extra current welds the relay contacts.
Click to expand...

I think you hit the nail on the head. Even with the grills the bugs were packed in there pretty good.
 
Snoozer said:
I think you hit the nail on the head. Even with the grills the bugs were packed in there pretty good.
Click to expand...

way back when .... I removed the OEM grills ( 14 RT ) trimmed them and re-installed using HM mounting tabs ..... now I can easily remove them and get a brush and hose in there and wash them clean without removing the frunk .... Mike :thumbup:
 
Just had that happen to me riding back from Kentucky to Western NY. Called the local (and only area) dealer and they can't see my bike until June 28th! I pulled one of the main fuses to shut the fan down and have the battery on a trickle charger. I will check the service manual to see if I can find details on the location of the relay you mentioned. I have a 2021 RT Limited.
 
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CKelley said:
Just had that happen to me riding back from Kentucky to Western NY. Called the local (and only area) dealer and they can't see my bike until June 28th! I pulled one of the main fuses to shut the fan down and have the battery on a trickle charger. I will check the service manual to see if I can find details on the location of the relay you mentioned. I have a 2021 RT Limited.
Click to expand...

Please let us know when you can where the relay is located….
 
Last edited by a moderator:
CKelley said:
Just had that happen to me riding back from Kentucky to Western NY. Called the local (and only area) dealer and they can't see my bike until June 28th! I pulled one of the main fuses to shut the fan down and have the battery on a trickle charger. I will check the service manual to see if I can find details on the location of the relay you mentioned. I have a 2021 RT Limited.
Click to expand...

It's a standard part used on a lot of vehicles. Cheaper and more available at your auto parts store. Just take your old one in and match it up.

I'd say what's frying these normally very reliable relays is clogged radiators (very common if you don't keep an eye on them). Which means your fans are running a lot more and for much longer than designed. As already mentioned, this can overheat the relay and fuse the contacts. That's why they won't shut off.
 
2021 RT LTD
30K miles
After riding in 90+ temps in CO fan would not shut down
Onboard thermometer read 113 degrees at the hottest
Replacing the relay for the third time
 
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