BMW K bikes (Bricks)


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1Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Bike died, lights out, no power Tue Jun 28, 2011 4:34 am

mook

mook
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Silver member
On the way into work today My k100 died. Riding along quite nicely then everything went dead, dash lights, engine, everything.

This has happened before and I think it's a problem with the switchgear on the RH handlebar.
So with a bit of fiddling/shaking i got the hazard lights to function while i undid the screw holding on the cover.

After about 5 mins of shaking/pulling wires the dash lights come back on and all seems well, I started it up, no problem.
Just as I'm putting my gloves back on it dies again.

So, as I said, I'm pretty sure this is related to the rhs switchgear and maybe the ignition?

Just wanted to check if there's any known faults that match the above description, so maybe I can save some time fault finding.

Bike remains by the side of the road halfway between work and home...

    

2Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:17 am

robmack

robmack
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Could be a connection problem with the cut-off switch in the RH switchgear.According to Bert's interactive electrical diagram for that circuit, the cutoff switch controls most major electircal circuitry, including power to the ignition componentry and instrument cluster. The RH cluster wiring is accessable under the tank. It may be possible to get going temporarily by jumpering Green to Green/yellow (Pin 9 to Pin 2)on the undertank connector, which effectively bypasses the cutoff switch. If that brings the bike to life, then the problem is the cutoff switch. If it does not, the problem may be a poor connection in the ignition switch, a stickier problem.

Caveat: If you don't feel confident with the electrics on your bike, I suggest you don't try this temporary solution. Check Bert's diagram on this site to see what I am talking about.


__________________________________________________
Robert
1987 K75 @k75retro.blogspot.ca
http://k75retro.blogspot.ca/
    

3Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:23 am

twincarb

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Morning Mook,

It sounds like you have got a dodgy connection somewhere, here is a quick link thats worth a look http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=193313

A lot of people on here suggest using deoxit on all the electrical connections, I have currently got my bike apart to sort out all the electrical connections, and in the process have found a lot of "extra" wires that havent been terminated properly which have the potential to cause a short...

If you were a bit closer to me would have been able to offer a tow off the road....


__________________________________________________
BMW K100LT 1988 Matt Black Peugeot Electra Blue (ELX) Colour is now confirmed...
Yamaha Thundercat
Triumph Spitfire (not a bike but hell it's British chaps)
Bike died, lights out, no power 169042Bike died, lights out, no power 169034
    

4Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:36 am

mook

mook
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Thanks guys,

will concentrate on the cutoff switch for now as the symptoms seem to match.

As for the starter motor... well I guess that may be my next stop. But from wiggling/playing with the wires to the switchgear and getting intermittant results I think that's where the problem is.

assuming it is the switchgear, I've been looking here, I'm not sure if it's the 8V or the 16V that i may need. any thoughts?



Last edited by mook on Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:39 am; edited 1 time in total

    

5Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:38 am

mook

mook
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Forgot to add,
when the power goes off initially I lose everything, but moving the head light switch on/off a few times seems to give me hazerd lights.

Would this rule out main earth? (if hazard lights work but nothing else does?)

    

6Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:59 am

twincarb

twincarb
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The main earth is more the main earth point where most of the other earths are bolted onto.

Having just been working on my hazard lights. They connect to the central indicator relays under the seat all the cabling runs back to there and it will override the indicators

I have just been down to my bike and disconnected the right hand controls under the tank (bike is stripped down at the moement) and i loose all control of brake lights etc from that side. I still have the left hand controls working horn, left indicator etc


__________________________________________________
BMW K100LT 1988 Matt Black Peugeot Electra Blue (ELX) Colour is now confirmed...
Yamaha Thundercat
Triumph Spitfire (not a bike but hell it's British chaps)
Bike died, lights out, no power 169042Bike died, lights out, no power 169034
    

7Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Tue Jun 28, 2011 6:25 am

mook

mook
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Hmmm... never though to try the LHS switches... will do that when I get back to it.

thanks again!

    

8Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:43 am

robmack

robmack
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mook wrote:assuming it is the switchgear, I've been looking here, I'm not sure if it's the 8V or the 16V that i may need. any thoughts?
An '85 K100RT would be a 8V machine (usually refered to as 2V). But I think it is a bit premature to be buying new switchgear at this point until you've identified the problem.

I think you're looking in the right area. If you get hazzards when you play with the wires to the switch assembly, that indicates a poor connection either in the switch assembly itself (corrosion / bad solder / broken plastic) or in the RH connector under the tank (corrosion / broken wire).


__________________________________________________
Robert
1987 K75 @k75retro.blogspot.ca
http://k75retro.blogspot.ca/
    

9Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:46 am

charlie99

charlie99
VIP
VIP
you didnt check any of the fuses ?

or give the starter a tap with a blunt object ?


__________________________________________________
cheezy grin whilst riding, kinda bloke ....oh the joy !!!! ...... ( brick aviator )

'86 K100 RT..#0090401 ..."Gerty" ( Gertrude Von Clickandshift ) --------O%O
'86 k100 rs.. #######..  "Fred " (f(rame) red ) ( Fredrick leichtundschnell ) - -
bits and pieces from many kind friends across the k100 world ...with many thanks ..
1987 k100rs ########   "Red"  - (red sports rs TWB style )
1989 K100rt #009637   "Black Betty"  (naked rt ala Nigel , now sporting an rs main fairing )
    

10Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:52 am

mook

mook
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Given that with some wiggling of wires earlier the bike started up I don't suspect A fuse issue.

I didn't consider the starter to be the culprit, as all power seemed to be lost to the dash lights...

    

11Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Tue Jun 28, 2011 9:00 am

robmack

robmack
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The bike electrics ground through the starter so dirt in the starter will cause intermittent electrical problems in all systems. Rapping the starter might dislodge dirt and/or cause better brush contact and restore the ground circuit.



Last edited by robmack on Tue Jun 28, 2011 9:07 am; edited 1 time in total


__________________________________________________
Robert
1987 K75 @k75retro.blogspot.ca
http://k75retro.blogspot.ca/
    

12Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Tue Jun 28, 2011 9:05 am

mook

mook
Silver member
Silver member
robmack wrote:The bike electrics ground through the starter so dirt in the starter will cause intermittent electrical problems in all systems. Put the bike on the centre stand, into 5th gear and try rotating the back wheel in both directions. If the electrics respond on/off, the problem could be a dirty starter.

Will try this... Thanks!

    

13Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Tue Jun 28, 2011 9:09 am

robmack

robmack
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Read my update; I thought I read about the 5th gear trick on this board but may be mistaken. Rapping the starter may be more productive.


__________________________________________________
Robert
1987 K75 @k75retro.blogspot.ca
http://k75retro.blogspot.ca/
    

14Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Tue Jun 28, 2011 10:05 am

Avenger GT

Avenger GT
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Ignition switch ??? The hazard lights work with the kill switch off.

    

15Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Wed Jun 29, 2011 3:09 am

mook

mook
Silver member
Silver member
ok.
update time.

Went back to the bike yesterday after work, and the problem was still there.
-No power
-after fiddling with switches a bit I get hazard lights
-opened up the switchgear (RHS) fiddled with wires/switches- Power on!
-start bike, put on helmet and gloves, sit on bike, Lose all power again
-Call breakdown recovery
-keep fiddling with wires in the meantime, -Power on!
-start Engine, Runs!
(this is where it gets wierd)
-turn off/on ignition to see how stable the connection is
-when engine powers off, (ignition off, Me not touching the bike) starter keeps cranking,
-turn ignition on, bike starts (on it own!) I rev it good,
-bike runs, I ride home and cancel breakdown callout.
-Bike starts this morning no problem, running like a top.

do I need an exorcist?

    

16Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Wed Jun 29, 2011 4:07 am

Guest

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Guest
It is relatively easy to whip the starter motor out and de-dust it. As the others have mentioned, the carbon brushes as they wear cause all manner of electrical gremlins and if you've not done it in a while I recommend doing it anyway. It's worth a look, and might save you the trouble of twisting your head right round on your neck searching elsewhere.

Bike died, lights out, no power Exorci10

    

17Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Wed Jun 29, 2011 4:12 am

mook

mook
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yeah, not a bad Idea.

So to direct me to the right bit of fairing to remove... where is the starter located?
It's not easily visible from the outside.

    

18Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Wed Jun 29, 2011 4:20 am

Guest

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Looking from the left hand side (shift lever side) view the back end of the starter motor just behind the ignition coils and in front of the battery. The underseat tool tray comes out, as does the ECU and the battery. It's held in by two screws and disassembled by undoing two long, thin screws. Slide the motor straight back away from the engine. Note the position of the brushes when you pull the end cap off. Have a can of contact cleaner and some clean rags with you. Sometimes the brushes are shot and it's time to replace them. Let us know how it goes. I reckon a thorough starter motor cleaning should be done every 30 thousand kilometres or so.

    

19Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Wed Jun 29, 2011 5:35 am

Inge K.

Inge K.
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Some pictures is usually helpful when dismantling.

Inge K.


__________________________________________________
Inge K.
K100RS -86. (first owner), K1100LTSE -94.
    

20Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:21 am

robmack

robmack
Life time member
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Tom Coradeschi Starter Cleaning Instructions

No pictures but a good description

Repair of a K100 Starter Motor

Nice writeup but in German. Use Google Translate to get the language of your choice.

UPDATE: I just wrote a tutorial on cleaning the starter motor and put it in the Tutorial Section of this web site. It has step by step instructions, with pictures, for removing, disassembling, cleaning and reassembling the motor.


__________________________________________________
Robert
1987 K75 @k75retro.blogspot.ca
http://k75retro.blogspot.ca/
    

21Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Thu Jul 07, 2011 9:43 am

mook

mook
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Silver member
So as an update, there's been no issue sice my last post. I've not had the time to get near the starter yet. ( our new 3 week old baby boy taking up a lot of my time at the moment).

I did give the switchgear a good soak in WD40. and *touch wood* everything seems to be running fine so far.

    

22Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Sat Jul 09, 2011 2:50 pm

ReneZ

ReneZ
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You seem to have your priorities right!


__________________________________________________
Greetings from Florida Australia! Having a 'new' K     Surprised-o: 

Rene


BMW K100 - 1985 (0030029) Scotland Bike died, lights out, no power Rain
BMW K1200GT - 2003 (ZK01223) Florida
BMW K1200GT - 2004 (ZK27240) Australia
    

23Back to top Go down   Bike died, lights out, no power Empty Re: Bike died, lights out, no power Sat Jul 09, 2011 3:45 pm

charlie99

charlie99
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VIP
aye !...the young ones are precious


__________________________________________________
cheezy grin whilst riding, kinda bloke ....oh the joy !!!! ...... ( brick aviator )

'86 K100 RT..#0090401 ..."Gerty" ( Gertrude Von Clickandshift ) --------O%O
'86 k100 rs.. #######..  "Fred " (f(rame) red ) ( Fredrick leichtundschnell ) - -
bits and pieces from many kind friends across the k100 world ...with many thanks ..
1987 k100rs ########   "Red"  - (red sports rs TWB style )
1989 K100rt #009637   "Black Betty"  (naked rt ala Nigel , now sporting an rs main fairing )
    

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