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Author Topic: Parking Lights stay on  (Read 6704 times)

Offline cush

  • Curious
  • Posts: 7
Parking Lights stay on
« on: July 24, 2018, 09:49:54 PM »
Hi,

I'm new to the forum and this is my first post.  I have a '92 K75.  Purchased last September in TX with only 4600 miles!  Rode it a bit there and then it sat for the winter.  June of this year I rode it back to Denver and have been putting the miles on...it currently has 9242.  I completed the Iron Butt Saddlesore 1000 two days ago doing 1,040 miles from Chicago to Denver.  The last 230 miles of that trip was done in heavy rain.  The bike runs great and I have not had any issues.

Today, we had very heavy rain and hail for about 30 minutes.  Sadly, the bike was stuck outside without any options.  It rained very very hard.  I went out to check on the bike and everything looked fine, except that the parking lights were on (front small headlight bulb and rear taillight).  The keys were in my pocket.  I checked the bike, and it started fine, and ran it around the block without issue.  I turned the bike off and removed the key.  After about 3-5 seconds the parking lights came on.

I've pulled it into the garage and dried as much as I can..removed the seat.  The lights stay on so for now I have pulled the fuse to save the battery.  As this bike is new to me, I'm not sure if this is a common thing or where to look.  My guess is water got in somewhere but not sure where?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

-jcc
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  • Colorado
  • 1992 K75

Offline johnny

  • TrailBrakingThrottleWhacker
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 7652
  • Whacking...n...Chopping Sliding...n...High Siding
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #1 on: July 24, 2018, 09:57:42 PM »
greetings...

id remove the parking bulb and the tail bulb while it sits and put them back in while riding...

j o
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  • :johnny i parks my 96 eleven hundert rs motobrick in dodge county cheezconsin  :johnny

Offline Martin

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 4475
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #2 on: July 24, 2018, 10:00:58 PM »
Welcome to the asylum. The parking light is activated from the ignition switch. They do require periodic cleaning as do most of the electrical switches and connectors. You can cheat and spray electrical contact cleaner into the switch in the hope that it will solve the problem. Or you can do it properly and pull the switch apart and do it properly. However you will need to take care as there are many small parts that will attempt to escape and will never be found. Disassemble in a large box lined with cloth to reduce the chance of a ricochet. A product called DeoxIT will become your best friend used in cleaning contacts switches and connectors.
Regards Martin.
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  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline cush

  • Curious
  • Posts: 7
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #3 on: July 24, 2018, 10:05:24 PM »
Ah, got it.  Thanks for the quick reply.  I'll dive into the switch and see what kind of trouble I can get into.  Of course I'll cheat first because I can...but will pull the switch.  Thanks for the advice of escaping small parts...you've saved me a huge headache.

- jcc
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  • Colorado
  • 1992 K75

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

  • Administrator
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  • Posts: 6843
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #4 on: July 24, 2018, 11:34:31 PM »
+1 on cleaning the ignition switch.  Someone may have put a bunch of LockEase in the lock, and then the rain may have washed some graphite(an electrical conductor) from the LockEase into the switch. 

Not sure if your switch is the same, but here is a procedure for disassembling and cleaning a K bike ignition switch:

http://www.eilenberger.net/K75S/IgnitionSwitch/
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  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

Offline rbm

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 2308
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2018, 11:35:11 PM »
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  • Regards, Robert
Toronto, Ontario

1987 K75 - Build Blog @http://k75retro.blogspot.ca/

Offline cush

  • Curious
  • Posts: 7
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2018, 11:47:11 PM »
Thanks Guys.  That will be the project for tomorrow.  I'll pull the fuse for the night once I get home.  I'll let you all know how it goes.  Cheers.

- jcc
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  • Colorado
  • 1992 K75

Offline cush

  • Curious
  • Posts: 7
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #7 on: July 25, 2018, 01:15:40 PM »
Any advice on removing the setscrew?  Mine is rusted pretty bad and I fear I may strip it....
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  • Colorado
  • 1992 K75

Offline beemuker

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  • Posts: 1112
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #8 on: July 25, 2018, 02:43:59 PM »
Quote from: cush on July 25, 2018, 01:15:40 PM
Any advice on removing the setscrew?  Mine is rusted pretty bad and I fear I may strip it....
Get your torch out and heat it up real good. just kidding. dab some liquid bolt remover stuff on it, let it set, and make sure your screwdriber fits real good, and carefully try it. if it's a no go , dab some more, try tightening/loosening, back and forth. just keep at it , it should loosen up. you can tap on  the screwdriver head  to try to break it free.
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  • Panama City, FL
  • '00 R1100RT,’92 K75 RT,past tense:'83 R80ST, '93 K1100LT,,94 R1100RS K75s, Honda NC700, Suzuki Bandit 1200, bmw R75/5 Honda 750

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #9 on: July 25, 2018, 03:09:27 PM »
+1 on the liquid wrench.  Don't be in a hurry.  Use the soak time to get a screwdriver that fits snugly in the slot and work it loose as Beemuker suggests.  I'm pretty sure the screw is in plastic so it shouldn't be impossible to get out.
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  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

Offline cush

  • Curious
  • Posts: 7
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #10 on: July 25, 2018, 03:17:46 PM »
Thanks all.  I'll take my time.  In the slim chance that it gets stripped  :nono do I have options?  My guess is that it's never been removed in its 26 yr old life...
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  • Colorado
  • 1992 K75

Offline beemuker

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 1112
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #11 on: July 25, 2018, 03:25:34 PM »
There are always options some just aren’t any good you’ll get it out don’t worry it’ll probably come right out my motto is fools rush in where angels fear to tread
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  • Panama City, FL
  • '00 R1100RT,’92 K75 RT,past tense:'83 R80ST, '93 K1100LT,,94 R1100RS K75s, Honda NC700, Suzuki Bandit 1200, bmw R75/5 Honda 750

Offline Motorhobo

  • +25 years of K75
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 1530
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #12 on: July 25, 2018, 04:08:31 PM »
I just dealt with the ignition switch. Don't try to do it in situ. Disconnect the cable and take it to a workbench and do it over some kind of tray. In particular, there's a tiny little ball bearing that works as a detent for the three position switch. Drop it and weep.
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1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 198k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 82,000 mi (19k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B' - RIP

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP
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Offline Martin

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 4475
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #13 on: July 25, 2018, 06:22:52 PM »
When you do get the screw out try and find a stainless replacement. If you can't find a replacement at least coat in Never Seize or Copper Coat, this will at least give you a chance of removing it again. :2thumbup:
Regards Martin.
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  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline cush

  • Curious
  • Posts: 7
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #14 on: July 26, 2018, 09:49:25 AM »
In the end. that screw did not come out.  Thanks to the suggestion from @Martin, I was able to use electrical contact cleaner and fix the problem, for now.  I'm looking for a new ignition switch to replace the original.  However, after removing the switch completely and taking it to the workbench (thanks @Motorhobo) I got to thinking about another solution.  Would there be any problem with bypassing the original ignition switch all together?  My thought is to connect the two gray wires, and then wire the green and red to a simple switch and conceal somewhere...but still within easy reach.  I'd still leave the the original housing and key cylinder in the dash, so it would look like you needed a key to start the bike, but in reality would just need to flip the new switch.   Am I way off here?  Bad idea?

- jcc
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  • Colorado
  • 1992 K75

Offline Laitch

  • Faster than a speeding pullet
  • Administrator
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Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #15 on: July 26, 2018, 09:59:53 AM »
Look here.
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  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles

Offline cush

  • Curious
  • Posts: 7
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #16 on: July 26, 2018, 10:04:22 AM »
Perfect @Laitch, thanks!
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  • Colorado
  • 1992 K75

Offline zenitramnaes

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 20
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #17 on: August 10, 2018, 10:35:50 PM »
Really glad I read this. Picked up a k100 last week and I've been slowly going through it fixing everything. Parking brakes stays on without any of the brake switches plugged in. I'll try this tomorrow and hopefully will solve my light issue.
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  • USA
  • '85 K100rs

Offline alabrew

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 288
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #18 on: August 11, 2018, 12:34:27 PM »
I added a flip switch to my '91 when I broke the ignition switch by dropping it while lubing the head bearing. I think about fixing it, but that is about as far as it has gotten. =-}
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  • Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1985 K100, 1991 K100RS
Also:
2005 K1200LT
1979 R65
200,000 miles on BMW motorcycles

Offline alexg

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 202
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #19 on: August 11, 2018, 10:17:39 PM »
Not to discourage messing with the switch, but are you sure that there is a problem? My key comes out in two positions: on one of them, the parking lights stay on. This is by design, so you can have the key in your pocket while the bike is still visible at night if needed.

Regarding leaving the bike in the rain, I always carry a sturdy plastic bag to go over the meter and switch. I have been considering a 1/2 bike cover for a more elegant solution.
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  • Michigan
  • '93 K75S, 1975 BMW R75/6 & 1984 Yamaha RZ350
Alex G.

Offline zenitramnaes

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 20
Re: Parking Lights stay on
« Reply #20 on: August 11, 2018, 10:20:03 PM »
^^^^
This ended up being my situation. On my Honda CB the second position is start and the third position is parking lights. Too be fair though, I picked up this bike last week. On the bright side, I have a really clean ignition switch.
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  • USA
  • '85 K100rs
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