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Author Topic: Electrical Gremlins  (Read 12169 times)

Offline orforester

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Electrical Gremlins
« on: April 03, 2014, 07:33:28 PM »
OK, so I cry Uncle.  I have an 85 RS, converting to RT.  I added heated grips, Piaa lights, temp gauge and 4 way Flashers following Ducks website instructions.  The grips work great, gauge lights up, flashers work, lights come on. 

I brushed up the main ground on frame, installed a heavier ground wire to starter, and to the frame. 

So now when I switch from "on" to "park" the 4 way dash light flicks on.  When I hit the starter button the 4 way dash lights stay on.  The lights themselves don't come on.   I have replaced the circuit board in the dash, checked it twice?  I am thinking it is a ground somewhere?  Could it still be the starter? 

I am not good with electrics, so simple instructions are better for me.

Thanks   Bob
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Bob
1989 K 100 RS se (SOLD)
1985 K 100 RS, now RT
1979 XS 650 Yamaha Street Tracker
2008 R 1200RT

Offline orforester

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #1 on: April 03, 2014, 09:50:46 PM »
I repainted the handlebars, do you suppose it is not grounding the switches?  I know the throttle is grounded by a wire....Hummmmm
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Bob
1989 K 100 RS se (SOLD)
1985 K 100 RS, now RT
1979 XS 650 Yamaha Street Tracker
2008 R 1200RT

Offline kioolt

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2014, 12:39:39 PM »
I don't know what all you removed when you repainted the handlebars but you may have pinched a wire when reinstalling something.  I would check for pinched wires on all the stuff that you removed and reinstalled.
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2018 R1200RT 8,000 miles,2004 R1150RT 189,000 miles
1991 K100LT 128,700 miles,1982 R100RT 106,900 miles
The cheapest thing on a BMW is the nut that connects the seat to the handlebars.

Offline Inge K.

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2014, 11:13:15 PM »
Check connection at pin/contact #18 at the instrument cluster, ground for 4 way dash light and two of the instrument illumination bulbs.
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Offline orforester

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2014, 11:53:23 AM »
Will do thanks for the tip!
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Bob
1989 K 100 RS se (SOLD)
1985 K 100 RS, now RT
1979 XS 650 Yamaha Street Tracker
2008 R 1200RT

Offline orforester

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2014, 08:43:09 PM »
Ok, with the instrument panel off, still blinks turn signals when turning the key from on to park.  I suspect the right handlebar switch as not making a good ground, as all the grounds on the dash check out good......darn electrical gremlins
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Bob
1989 K 100 RS se (SOLD)
1985 K 100 RS, now RT
1979 XS 650 Yamaha Street Tracker
2008 R 1200RT

Offline Inge K.

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #6 on: April 05, 2014, 09:55:45 PM »
Quote from: orforester on April 05, 2014, 08:43:09 PM
I suspect the right handlebar switch as not making a good ground,

If your turn signals left/right, cancel, and horn functions, the ground to the handlebar switches is OK.
Haven't got any other idea to solve your problem, tho   :dunno  ...could try a other relay.
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Offline Scott_

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #7 on: April 05, 2014, 10:42:15 PM »
Can you post the link to Duck's 4-way flasher mod. It would help to know what instructions you were following.
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  • My Garage
1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
1997 K1100LT 0302488 (R.I.P.)
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Offline orforester

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #8 on: April 05, 2014, 11:33:16 PM »
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Bob
1989 K 100 RS se (SOLD)
1985 K 100 RS, now RT
1979 XS 650 Yamaha Street Tracker
2008 R 1200RT

Offline Scott_

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2014, 12:34:04 PM »
Quote from: Inge K. on April 04, 2014, 11:13:15 PM
Check connection at pin/contact #18 at the instrument cluster, ground for 4 way dash light and two of the instrument illumination bulbs.
+1 on pin 18 or the main ground connection under the fuel tank. If you had this one apart, it's real easy to miss a wire putting it back together. BTDT.....

The only other ground point that I can find in the schematics that may have an effect would be pin #5 of the fairing harness connector(for the horns and turn signals and park light). With the ign switch in the "park" position, + power is supplied on pin #1 for the parking lamp, if the return ground path for this is not good thru pin #5 then the power will route thru the "path of least resistance" which also include the front turn signal lamps, and they in turn are connected to they dash indicator lamps......
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  • My Garage
1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
1997 K1100LT 0302488 (R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb

Offline orforester

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #10 on: April 06, 2014, 01:12:35 PM »
I am going to triple check the grounds under the tank, as yes they are easy to miss, but I have disconnected the Instrument  panel (whole Dash) from the bike, so wires are not connected to anything and when turning the key the front blinker lights still flash on when going from On to Park. 

I am going to try cleaning the ignition switch next..............
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Bob
1989 K 100 RS se (SOLD)
1985 K 100 RS, now RT
1979 XS 650 Yamaha Street Tracker
2008 R 1200RT

Offline orforester

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #11 on: April 07, 2014, 02:23:03 PM »
Cleaned ignition switch, no help, but it was corroded.
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Bob
1989 K 100 RS se (SOLD)
1985 K 100 RS, now RT
1979 XS 650 Yamaha Street Tracker
2008 R 1200RT

Offline K75RT Keith

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #12 on: April 08, 2014, 09:34:00 AM »
Have you considered emailing Duck with your problem and asking him if he has any suggestions?
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You can't help someone who doesn't want to hear the answer.

1990 K75RT

Offline orforester

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #13 on: April 08, 2014, 02:22:00 PM »
Yeah I emailed him yesterday, thanks, he is the man!
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Bob
1989 K 100 RS se (SOLD)
1985 K 100 RS, now RT
1979 XS 650 Yamaha Street Tracker
2008 R 1200RT

Offline orforester

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #14 on: May 15, 2014, 02:20:40 PM »
Once again, Duck was 100% correct.  Finally got new brushes for starter and no more problems!  What a wealth of knowledge he has. 

Thanks :riding:
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Bob
1989 K 100 RS se (SOLD)
1985 K 100 RS, now RT
1979 XS 650 Yamaha Street Tracker
2008 R 1200RT

Offline vintagemilano

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #15 on: May 15, 2014, 03:31:13 PM »
New starter brushes?? Just cause I'm curious I would be interested in knowing how that helps your dash lights.
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  • Cranbrook, BC, Canada
  • 1990 K75RT
Non bricks include
06 Yamaha FZ6
1996 Yamaha xt225
1993 Suzuki GSF400

Offline orforester

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #16 on: May 15, 2014, 04:34:33 PM »
According to Duck, dirty starter brushes lead to electrical issues.  It was as described above in my post, flashers coming on when starter pushed, and when key turned to "park".   Only thing I can figure is the grounding issue with the connection of the brushes.  I could have cleaned them, but for the price, new ones were a sure thing.

I can't explain it, only know it worked like a charm!!
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Bob
1989 K 100 RS se (SOLD)
1985 K 100 RS, now RT
1979 XS 650 Yamaha Street Tracker
2008 R 1200RT

Offline johnny

  • TrailBrakingThrottleWhacker
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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #17 on: May 15, 2014, 04:37:45 PM »
doing the roll back pop clutch routine once a month will help keep them clean...

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

Offline K75RT Keith

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #18 on: May 15, 2014, 05:12:16 PM »
Seems the way BMW set-up the electrical, worn brushes creates some kind of circuit that allows to electricity to flow to non-related electrical connections making them act incorrectly. 

I can't really figure it out but, cleaning the starter and replacing the bush set solves a myriad of mechanical failures of the electrical system.   
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You can't help someone who doesn't want to hear the answer.

1990 K75RT

Offline WayneDW

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #19 on: May 15, 2014, 08:14:00 PM »
Quote from: johnny on May 15, 2014, 04:37:45 PM
doing the roll back pop clutch routine once a month will help keep them clean...

j o

Not familiar with that, Johnny.  Details?
thanks.
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  • Minneapolis, MN, USA
  • 1992 K75RT

Offline johnny

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  • Whacking...n...Chopping Sliding...n...High Siding
Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #20 on: May 16, 2014, 09:41:26 AM »
the bugeye motobrick started having the whack electrical issues... butts they all stopped and never returned when i started doing this on a regular basis...

spinning the starter backwards to keep the brushes clean...

sit on your moto in 3nd gear or higher key off...
roll backwards and pop the clutch...
repeat 2 or 3 times...
do this a few times a year...

j o


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

Offline Tuco

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Re: Electrical Gremlins
« Reply #21 on: May 16, 2014, 10:15:23 AM »
thats crazy! But if it works, it works!
Al
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  • Waldport, Oregon
  • '87 K100LT, '87 K100RS, '97 DR350
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