I installed an oil cooler , changed the oil to Torco 50w and also installed the harley oil temp guage. I have no leaks, however, after running the bike for a short while, my engine check light came on. the guage read about 170-175 degrees. The only thing I can think of is, that I grounded the temp guage in the pocket under the seat [base of the tank] where there are additional wires connected on each side of the pocket. Any thoughts and different locations of grounding that wire would be greatly appreciated, or any other trouble shooting. BTW, no leaks and I installed the sensor in the oil pan. thanks

 

Did you the trouble code number?

 

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no code- i have a thundermax

 

I just bought the Harley oil temp guage and the mounting kit and it installs
right at the oil filter and not in the oil pan. I haven't installed it yet but
looked at the instructions. It has you take off the filter then install this
metal bracket thing which has a spot for the oil temp sensor then install
the filter back on.
Rob ....

 

Rob,

Most people on the forum install the sensor in the oil pan with the use of an adapter you can get at Napa (3220X6X2) that fits into a third hole currently plugged in the pan. Much easier installation and you do not lose too much oil if you are quick about it. Some say that the oil pan location is also a more accurate read of the oil temp.

Just FYI, as I installed my oil temp gauge last week. I tried reading the HD directions and couldn't make sense of it. Ended up just searching the forums and found some good threads with great instructions.

 

We (wife's & mine) are running the oil temp dipsticks right now so
I figured I am already getting the oil temp in the pan.
Has anyone had a problem with the one like I bought ?
Rob ....

 

Yeah, did the same thing on my Road Glide. You are getting the oil temp AFTER the oil passes through the cooler. What good is that?

As for the CE light, could be anything unless you can get a code out of it it could be difficult to track down. Might try moving that ground to another spot, can't hurt any

 

Spike !
Thanks so much for your reply !
It only goes to show how VALUABLE these forums are.
After what you replied I went and looked at our bikes just to see how the
oil hoses are routed. Wouldn't you know it I already HAVE the friggin part
mounted on our bikes that my shop sold me (i'll just return it).
OK granted the parts guy did not know that their service guys mounted
my HD Oil Cooler and THAT PART is included in it. It also makes sence
what you said about getting temp AFTER going thru oil cooler.
THANKS MUCHO ! ! ! ! !

Now on a 2nd note .....
After doing that I broke out my Service Manual (yes finally got off my ****
and bought one of those just recently) I read about oil routing and here is
what I came up with (in very simple terms).

Oil from pan goes into passageway to cam support plate where oil pump is.
Oil then heads to oil filter but if using HD oil cooler it goes there first.
Oil from filter is then routed to top and bottom ends of the engine.
Oil does it's "THING" lubricating and cooling the engine parts.
All oil ends up back at the cam support plate at the oil pump.
Oil is then pumped back into the oil pan.
Oil enters pan at fromt of transmission housing in front of oil pan baffle.
The baffle plates SLOW the circulation of the oil to ENHANCE cooling.
Oil pickup occurs in the front compartment of the pan.
This is where EVERYONE is mounting the pan Sensor.
So that also is ALMOST the coolest oil temp and NOT the the HOTEST oil temp.
The coolest would be AFTER the oil Filter. TRUE ?
So the BEST spot for the oil temp Sensor would be the supply line
from the pump back "TO" the oil pan. Right ?

I opened the oil temp Sensor box and looked at the directions and it
looks like that they have you splice INTO that return hose (from pump to pan)
and mount the sensor there. Wouldn't "THAT" be the the place to get
the temp from ?
Or even splice into the tubing BEFORE it enters the oil cooler ?

Incase I do decide on mounting sensor in the pan like you said could you
please inform me all the parts I need to do the oil pan sensor ?

Spike ,
THANKS GREATLY about making me DIG into this more than I would have !
Rob ......

 

Rob, thanks for taking the time to figure out the routing of the oil.

Personally, I'm not very concerned about where the oil temp is measured or how accurate the gauge is. For me, the oil temp gauge is simply something to scan and if there is a significant departure from the norm, it will alert me to check to see what's going on. Ditto the oil pressure gauge.

I have an inexpensive infrared thermometer to check cylinder head temps (at the base of the spark plugs) from time to time, again, to see if there is a significant departure from normal readings.

Carl