fan noise when parked, off

[RadWingDad]

Good morning, beautiful people

While the weather was still hot here in the Mid-Atlantic states, my '84 GL1200 was parked in the driveway in the sun while my family and I worked on the yard. It was about 90 degrees, and I had removed the side panels, seat, and tank cover. I noticed a sound that I initially thought was coming from some pool equipment in the back yard, but as I approached the bike I realized was actually coming from the bike. It sounded like a moderately loud fan. The ignition was off and the key was removed. It seemed louder on the right side of the bike, iirc. When I started to push the bike into the garage to get it into a cooler space the noise stopped and didn't return. I haven't heard it since.

Any ideas what might have caused the noise? Is there a cooling fan of some sort that would come on automagically even when the ignition is off?

[julimike54]

If it is hot enough and I've been riding, mine will run until something cools off and the fan stops. Same no key or ignition 'on'. Presume there is a temperature it wants before the fan stops.

[biguns]

Same with my GL1100 key off.

[Bike...and Dennis]

Okay, that ain't supposed to be that way.
Here in AZ it gets warm once in a while and mine has never done that. I suspect there's something aftermarket in your systems, like the fan switch. Still can't figure out how it would cause it to run with the key off but I know lots of cars do that.

[WingAdmin]

Correct. The fan should not be running unless the key is in the ON position. If it is, someone has re-wired something.

[biguns]

Correct. The fan should not be running unless the key is in the ON position. If it is, someone has re-wired something.

True for the 1100? Could have been my rabbit I am thinking of, they park next to each other

[julimike54]

Mine has done that since new and I'm the original owner, nothing rewired etc.

[WingAdmin]

Correct. The fan should not be running unless the key is in the ON position. If it is, someone has re-wired something.

True for the 1100? Could have been my rabbit I am thinking of, they park next to each other

Yes for the 1100.

Look at the wire feeding the fan - it is +12V, and the thermostat switch switches the ground to turn the fan on. The wire feeding +12V to the fan is black - which in all four-cylinder Wings, is switched +12V. Red is constant, unswitched +12V.