I have the vulcan 500 with almost 9k miles. Both the oil and temp light come on now, just started happeningtoday. Oil level is OK. Coolant level is ok, did not check to see if it is circulating though.Coolant in reservoir is very cleanthough for9k, unless it has never had to use coolant from the reservoir. Fan comes on only briefly when i park.

There was someone else with a loss of power and fuel economy issue that posted a while ago. My fuel economy is slowly going down, with it seems a slight decrease in performance. Not too much at all though,but I had been getting between 52-55 MPG consistantly. If I go to a high rev, lights go out temporarily. While riding home after making sure I had coolant and oil, lights occasionally flickered. Exhaust is clean, no unusual noises. Seems to sound and run the same, but as i said a little perfomance loss (time for maintenance).

It is time for an oil and filter change, kind of thinking that the filter flow may be a cause. The other thing I was thinking was that it's a wiring issue or just an electrical problem. Just checking to see if it is one of those minor problems, or if there is more to it. Kind of like the battery cable coming loose every now and then.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

I wouldn't recommend riding it until you have the oil pressure tested to be sure you aren't starving critical moving parts of oil. If oil pressure is low, that could be causing some overheating problems since engine oil makes up for some of the cooling characteristics of the engine.

 

Took it into the shop today, mechanic is thinking a switch or other problem than overheating. Even after letting the engine cool all night, lights came on. Will post their diagnosis when the let me know so if anyone else runs into the same thing maybe this will help them.

 

Sounds electrical to me. Check your rectifier, alternator, fuse block. Make sure of good, solid connections everywhere. Any aftermarket crap wired into the system?? (Any AM/FM radios from Tractor Supply or tricky neon glow sticks in the frame??)
The correct answer is not "yes..."

 

No after market items. When I went to secure the battery cables though, I just felt like they did a poor job running the wiring. Tight clearances, rubbing against the frame, electrical tape to protect some wires.... If you want to be no. 1, why do things like no. 2 (pun intended). Kind of seems like they just put the en500 out there to compete in the 500 cruiser marketplace, just to say they have one. The bike is fine, but I felt they could have done some things to separate themselves from the rest....

 

You're talking my language; I can't stand half-a$$ed jobs. Electrical tape is usually a synonym for "trouble." I'd rather ride my old '95 9-R Cow that I know is put together "properly," (because I took the time and expense to make it that way) than to ride some of the truly scary Elmer's Glue Specials I see on the road. Good for you; make it right and take pride in your ride.

 

hahaha, +1 ^
I like the elmer glue special comment! I was thinking the JB weld special! Same page.

 

Mechanic called, said no oil pressure. They need to take the engine out and check the oil pump, they were contacting Kawasaki to foot the bill.