Security Switch

[MCrenshaw]

I'm sorting out the issues on the '94 K1100RS I picked up from an estate sale last week.  The PO died a couple of years ago and the bike has been in a secure storage since then.  His brother, a non BMW rider, has told me that the PO had installed some kind of security switch or lock out.  Today I installed a new battery, and with the ignition switch on I have green neutral light, kick stand is up, sounds like the fuel pump is activating, all lights work, but no joy from the starter.  I'll double check the starter relay and side stand switch to insure they are good, but my question is to know if anyone is familiar with a method to disable the ignition/starter for anti-theft?  An look under the fairing and tank does not reveal anything out of the normal.
Thanks, Mike

[Inge K.]

Sounds like it's possible that it have been mounted a switch in the starter relay signal circuit
(or in the ground side of the relay coil).
If it have been me who have mounted a switch like this, I would have mounted it in one of the sides in the relay box (under the rear end of the fuel tank)......easiest to mount it at the RHS of the relay box.

Next step would be to check starter relay coil signal and ground, signal wire is black/yellow and ground side is brown/blue.

[MCrenshaw]

Update on starting issues.  I removed the tank and could find no sign of any type switch.   Ran continuity check from the starter relay to the wiring harness.  Tested good.  Ran a continuity check from the wiring harness to the starter switch.  Tested good.  Ran a test on the starter relay with a 9 volt battery, and the relay is good.  Put the tank back on and tried the starter buttton and Eurethra!, the bike started.  I've confirmed there is no security switch.  Buttoned things back up, and tried the starter switch again.  Oops, no joy again.  Next steps tomorrow will be to clean all of the contact and wiring connections with electrical cleaner. 

Inge, thanks for your reply to this.  I'm sure I'll have additional questions as I get this bike sorted out and ready for the road once again.
-Mike   

[K75RT Keith]

As it sat for so long, you may want to clean all of the grounds and clean the starter armature where the brushes ride as carbon build up there will cause all kinds of electrical gremlins.

[kioolt]

Why don't we assume for a moment that there is no security switch that you can find.  Does the headlight come on when you turn the ignition switch on?  If it doesn't, then you probably have worn or dirty brushes in your starter.  I always do my troubleshooting with a multimeter.  It's a lot better then guessing and changing parts.  Have you put a voltmeter on the starter.  There is only one terminal on the starter. If it has battery voltage on it and is not running then it's a problem with your starter.  Don't be surprised if it does have battery voltage on it as soon as you turn the key.  That will happen when the brushes are worn.  In this case if you pull the load shed relay the voltage will disappear.  If you then press the start button the voltage should reappear.