Author Topic: OEM heated grips -- replacement for itsy bitsy connector  (Read 3823 times)

Offline Motorhobo

  • +25 years of K75
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OEM heated grips -- replacement for itsy bitsy connector
« on: November 12, 2016, 08:42:08 AM »
After swapping heated grips & switch from one K75 to another, the grips don't work. I suspect it's that tiny little connector designed by sadistic BMW engineers who, if alive today,  still revel in schadenfreude in the knowledge that they inflicted so much suffering on innocent people...and may the dead ones enjoy their stay in purgatory. Anyway, I suspect it's that little turd, so before I pull the tank and deal with it I'd like to have a good replacement connector on hand. This is a 4-conductor for looks like 18 or 22 gauge wire carrying what I assume is 12 volts with enough current to heat those grips.

Any suggestions, corrections or ideas from someone who has replaced that connector? Yes, I should have tested it before buttoning everything back up but I didn't. Oh well.
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

Offline White Dog

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Re: OEM heated grips -- replacement for itsy bitsy connector
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2016, 10:45:44 AM »
You did spray clean the switch, right?  The grips on my R1100RT didn't work but a spurt of electronic cleaner into the hole in the bottom of the switch cleaned the contacts and all is well.  While I had my dash panel loose, i sprayed the flasher and ABS switches, as well.  I also did the same for my K75, just for good measure. 
  • Basement Garage
  • '95 K75 ABS.
'95 K75 ABS Red
'96 R1100RT Burnt Orange
2008 Goldwing Black
2014 CB1100 Std. Black
Reside in NC

Offline Motorhobo

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Re: OEM heated grips -- replacement for itsy bitsy connector
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2017, 01:23:55 PM »
Well, I didn't have much hope that would help since I'd just swapped the entire heated grip assembly including throttle tube and throttle cam housing from one K75 to another -- I was sure I'd screwed something up. And since I was sure it was going to be a major PITA I kept putting off dealing with it. But yesterday I had to ride in below 40 degrees to Philly and back -- 180 mi round trip -- so I figured I'd just pull the switch and shoot some Deoxit in there on the off chance that it would do some good...

Boom! Toasty!

Thanks, White Dog!
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

Offline Laitch

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Re: OEM heated grips -- replacement for itsy bitsy connector
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2017, 08:06:35 PM »
 :clap:
  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles

Online stokester

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Re: OEM heated grips -- replacement for itsy bitsy connector
« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2017, 08:59:20 PM »
Well, I didn't have much hope that would help since I'd just swapped the entire heated grip assembly including throttle tube and throttle cam housing from one K75 to another -- I was sure I'd screwed something up. And since I was sure it was going to be a major PITA I kept putting off dealing with it. But yesterday I had to ride in below 40 degrees to Philly and back -- 180 mi round trip -- so I figured I'd just pull the switch and shoot some Deoxit in there on the off chance that it would do some good...

Boom! Toasty!

Thanks, White Dog!
That DeOxit is good stuff.  Quite pricey but works well.
  • Yorktown Virginia
  • '94 K75S Dakar Yellow - '93 K75S Seiden Blau - '91 R100RT Bermuda Blue- '78 R100S Smoke Red

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