. Is this a common fault, is there a quick fix or is it beack to the bmw agent and a new one at a hell of a cost?
Hi Andy,
You don't reveal which model you have in your post above, but this seems to be a pretty common fault on 1150's and a new switch assembly is around £145 as far as I know.
So, taking it that your bike is an 1150 this is most likely the problem;
When you open the switch assembly you will find these two wee switches;
One is for the indicator and the other for the horn.
You can buy a pack of two replacement switches from
CPC.co.uk for under £3 but be aware that they have a minimum delivery charge which will bring the price up to £10 or £12.
It is quite a tricky job to replace the switches and you need a very fine soldering iron to re-attach the wires to the new switch as you can very easily melt the new switch. I melted two of them before I borrowed a mate's soldering iron.
Firstly, you need to retain the white collar from the switch in the picture below. Use a sharp pointy tool to remove the insulation from inside the white collar and remove the old switch.
Then thread the wires through the collar and carefully solder the new switch to the wires. When you are happy that the switch is working you can fill the collar with a sealant to stop water getting at the back of the switch. Re-fit the switch assembly and that's you done. Spend the £130 odd quid you've saved down the pub.
It is not a difficult job at all Andy but is quite fiddly. Still better than giving BMW a stack of money for what amounts to a knackered £1.50 switch.
Hope this helps.