Hi everyone,

Got a little problem on the old K. She was working fine but after a couple of trips to work when it got dark I noticed that the headlights and instrument lights were starting to flicker on and off.

Now she is in the garage the list of things that aren't working is as long as my arm... 
She won't start,
no lights, 
no horn, 
no indicators, 
no ignition firing.

What does work..

Gear position sensor works
fuel pump works when pressing start button
brake lights
fuel gauge
ABS reset button

I am thinking that there has to be something common there but looking at the diagram nothing is jumping out at me. I am going to whip the tank off and check the central earth.... Any suggestions more than welcome.

Twincarb

What is the battery output under load?

First step is make sure battery is good and that the electrolyte has not dropped too low. Its time of year for batteries to die.

First off: make sure the charging light does actually light when you turn on the ignition. If this is out then you must replace the bulb as otherwise you get no charge.

Second: Bad battery creates problems like you are describing so start there. Check it has electrolyte to the correct level. Charge it and see if then everything works. If everything works properly then you are looking at either battery not holding charge [new battery], a problem in charging side or a current drain.

Third: Check the fuses are good. They are notorious for problems so take them out and refit them or even better out new ones in.

If you have accessories make sure none of these are on all the time, heated grips, electric windshield. If you can, check there is no current draw across any of the fuses when the ignition is off. [clock/alarm if fitted etc will show some current draw, not sure of which fuse but post findings here and you will get a fast answer!]. 

All the above steps are simple ones and do not need any parts to be removed. Do them first and see if all is ok.

If not.......

Check earths as you suggest. All the brown wire to frame connections are earths, open clean/sand and refit. Some under tank, also to gearbox casing. While in there check all wires are good too, no bare or broken wires.

I reckon do that much and come back.....

.

Lights, horn, indicators et. I recall a post on this and I may be wrong but think it was to do with fuse 7 as in the bottom fuse. The fuses can fail and still look good so swap it or at least clean it. Should do all of them.

The battery electrolyte was low, so have topped that up. 
The battery is kicking out 13V drops to 12.3 with heated grips turned on
Fuses...... swapped fuse 7 for another no change (most of my fuses are still original BMW!)
Have got the battery on charge at the moment, the charger is saying it's only needing to give it a conditioning charge

The waiting is painful.

That's when its time to
a: have a coffee
b: have a beer, but that means if its ok after there is no ride.

It has to be a) due to being on call tonight for the local blood bike charity!

when it got dark I noticed that the headlights and instrument lights were starting to flicker on and off.

Now she is in the garage the list of things that aren't working is as long as my arm... 
She won't start,
no lights, 
no horn, 
no indicators, 
no ignition firing.





All this (exept no ignition) is typical symptoms for bad connection at the LSR.

Is your wiring for the ignition modified?......or you maybe got two different problems

Hi Inge,

The igntion wiring isn't modified, I have got relays in for the headlight. Just been back down to the garage with the ignition on P the side light and rear light illuminate. Turn the key fully and they go out.

Just thinking about a possibility of ignition switch issue now. I have berts diagram in front of me as I type!

When you have the ignition switch in position P the side and tail is powered directly from the battery via the ignition switch.

In the on position it's powered via the LSR.

When you say it won't start, do you mean the starter will not turn over or it turns over put it won't run? 

My first thought when I read your symptoms was starter brushes.  The headlight flickering could be the load shed relay turning on and off which can be caused by the starter brushes.  A pretty simple way to check this is to put the bike in gear and roll in backwards.  This will cause the sprauge starter clutch to turn the starter motor backwards which will sometimes get you temporary headlight and starter function.  You could also just try tapping on the starter to see if that makes your headlight return.  Another way would be to just put your voltmeter on the starter lead at the starter to see if you have 12v.  If you have 12v and the starter isn't running then your starter brushes are your problem.

By won't start... She doesn't turn over, you hear the fuel pump pumping.

I put the volt meter onto the Starter.... 12V 

Put her into 1st rolled her back headlight come on.

So the suspicion is the starter motor brushes...

guess I will be ordering a new set now then.... and then it will be stripping out the starter motor. Best swap the bikes around in the garage so I have some room to move then! 

Thanks for your help guys  most appreciated

Just stripped the starter motor.... New brushes are needed...

should be here in a couple of days, then will see how things are

Could load shed relay be shot?

PM sent.

Its a cheap enough fix when it comes down to it!

You can use the Blood Bike for tonight...if you get a call.

We are setting one up here too, signed up for it. Its a great idea and helpful.

It would have been a cheap fix if I hadn't been attracted by some shiny things..... 

Have also ordered progressive springs... New rear Disk and Pads....

The blood bike I have at the moment is a CBF 600.... not to bad as a bike and has a massive amount of storage capacity but she isn't refined... By the sounds of it I will soon be getting a r1200RTP which I have ridden before but it's a different bike to ride! 

[url=bloodbikes.org]Devon Freewheelers[/url] link to our website, if there are any questions or help needed get in touch as we are more than willing to help out wherever we can. How far off are you from being on the road as they say!

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:Could load shed relay be shot?

What a lot people don't understand is that the load shed relay will not keep the bike from starting.  The load shed relay disconnects the UN-NEEDED load from the battery while starting.  Since the starter is needed when starting the load shed relay does not disconnect it.  That also goes for the ignition system, fuel injection, and fuel pump. Also, the load shed relay is not the cause of the starter not working, it is a result of the starter not working.

replaced the brush set today, as soon as all was connected back up, she fired first time. So a great result there...

Also whipped the rear wheel off and replaced the rear disk and pads, rear brake is now superb. Nextjob fit progressive springs then new front disks and pads

a pleasing result twincarb ....onya mate !