► Lights, indicators, electrics and alarm

[easyman05]

AFAIK, the general rule with BMW is "any unauthorised modification of the electric system voids the warranty"

so my proposal is you'd better have your dealer done the job - just to be on the safe side. If you warranty is expiring then do it yourself.

 

[frogger]

You are not really modifying anything, just plugging in new bulbs and attaching ballasts so seriously can't see HIDs affecting the warranty. On the 2 bikes I have had HIDs fitted both had waranty work done post HID fitment. Dealers also fit them.

These are adventure bikes and as a matter of course you would expect people to bolt extra stuff on

 

[John Armstrong]

well, the first thing i did when i got my 800 was fit HID's myself. since then i've had a raft of warranty work done and the dealer has said nothing...

Has any of the warranty work been carried out on the electrics. IMO fitting a HID yourself gives the dealer any easy get out, if for example there's a problem with the fuel injection / abs / anything that uses electric power / is a sensor.

The dealer may choose to ignore the HID, but ......

 

[sijohnston]

Has any of the warranty work been carried out on the electrics. IMO fitting a HID yourself gives the dealer any easy get out, if for example there's a problem with the fuel injection / abs / anything that uses electric power / is a sensor.

The dealer may choose to ignore the HID, but ......

well, the advantage you guys have in england is that you you can just ride to another dealer if they're going to start getting small-minded on this. we've only got one in nI. seriously, what dealer is going to risk loosing your future custom by pissing you around with 'i'm sorry, we won't do that, you plugged in different bulbs!' i personally would just go ahead and fit them. i've had new heated grips and most recently a fuel pump/relay which are all electrics, and my dealer said nothing about the HID's. they are 'plug and play', so you're not mucking into the loom...which i've also done and still nothing was said. your call fella.

 

[Tim Cullis]

He has a sign on display saying work performed by non authorised BMW personnel will invalidate the warranty.

Next time you go in, tell them that the sign attempts to infringe your consumer rights and that it should be removed. An attempt to wriggle out of a warranty claim can only succeed if clear cause and effect is shown, and the mere fact that a someone else has carried out work isn't enough.

Advice from the Which Legal Service is that a warranty is nothing other than a clear cut agreement that defects within a particular timescale will be rectified without argument. The length of warranty has absolutely no effect on your consumer rights which carry on for up to six years.

Tim

 

[easyman05]

I am not going to argue nor to give legal advices - it's up to you.
Just be not surprised if one day your battery fails and you will hear Oh, you have non-OEM HID lights. Who did the job? DIY? Sorry, Sir, this is not coverd by the warranty.
That's from experience here, confirmed in Munich HQ.

 

[swolf]

Great topic. Do you think this also goes with adding accessories like the TT HID light kit. Basically its, connect to the battery and connect a relay? I could see were they might say, "you tapped into the electronics, now your warranty is no good" I guess if I had a problem I could first disconnect the relay and say its only connected directly to the battery and is turned on off with my switch?

Interesting enigma

BTW, TT has moved away from a bolting its relay and now provides tape - unbelievable. I had to jeeryrig via 3 zip ties. Wish I had just bought the HID headlight upgrade. TT kit isn't a great fit in my opinion.

 

[millard]

converting to HID is simple an not ireversible. If you have any probs later then just swap back to the OEM lights before you take it to the dealer.

 

[Tengiz99]

Thanks for the replies. Year and a half to go on the warranty, and not exactly spoiled for choice on which dealer to deal with to answer some of the issues that popped up.
Hmm, decisions decisions. As I've never mucked about with bikes before I might just see if he will do the work. Wanted to get a Scottoiler fitted anyway...

 

[wknight]

Wiring in Spotlights

I have got some nice blue spotlights (to go on my blue 2008 650) with a wiring kit from Halfords and the piaa waterproof switch from nippy normans. I have wired in spotlights before, but never on a BMW.

I want to be able to switch on the spotlights as required, so what is the best way to wire them in so that I don't void my warranty or affect the canbus.

I was planning on wiring direct to the battery but was concerned about the canbus.

Would appreciate your advice, thanks in advance

 

[Marty Hill]

Direct to the battery avoids the canbus. I've done mine that way on several bikes.

 

[Thunder]

Make te connection direct to the battery via a relay triggered from a switched live and you'll have no problems.

 

[jessehere]

BMW retrofit alarm help needed

just installed my BMW retrofit kit alarm. BMW PN 65757715287 the only problem is I have no flashing blinkers and the dash light doesnt flash either. the rest of the alarm functions fine.

Anyone know what needs to be done to get the blinkers to flash??

I think It may need to be hooked up to the service computer at a dealer to get the flashing lights to work..

Could someone with the service manual check to see what is involved and confirm if I need to take it in to the dealer or not?
Anyone retrofitted the alarm here?

No Part Number Description Qty Each
xx 62217670749 grommet BUY 1 $2.11
xx 01477712207 operating instructions, alarm systems (EN US) BUY 1 $19.30
01 65757715287 retrofit kit, theft alarm BUY 1 $302.77
02 65757713340 control unit for alarm system/rdc (433MHZ) - Up to 03/2008 BUY 1 $304.45
02 65757718057 control unit for alarm system/rdc (433MHZ) - 03/2008 and above BUY 1 $320.67
03 07147119858 screw (4X10,5) BUY 3 $1.42
04 65752337407 transmitter (433 MHZ) BUY 2 $66.68
06 61137668405 resistor (120 OHM) BUY 1 $6.39
07 65757707271 bracket BUY 1 $9.51
08 65752337504 battery (3V) BUY 1 $3.65


Thanks in advance

 

[skywalker]

Needs to go to a dealer.It needs to be coded into the canbus system as its classed as another control unit. If you've got tyre pressure sensors fitted make sure you got the correct alarm as they're different

 

[jessehere]

Needs to go to a dealer.It needs to be coded into the canbus system as its classed as another control unit. If you've got tyre pressure sensors fitted make sure you got the correct alarm as they're different

Thanks!! that was quick

They should call it the cannotbus.

no TPM its a F800GS
Still hope its the right unit

 

[stevia13]

Electrical connections for 800GS

OK - please be patient with me, as this subject causes me much confusion. I want to do usual stuff - attach Zumo, perhaps run a heated vest at some point, Baehr intercom, charge phones, MP3s etc. Can I ask :
1 - is it best to run Zumo direct from battery, or via electrical / cam bus system; what are advantages of one over the other?
2 - what figures do I need to consider when doing the work ie. voltages, ampages etc; how do I determine if system can handle the loads (cant remember basic physics here - p = iv - does voltage total of various appliances have to be less than that which the bikes system can handle? Basically, how do I work out the figures I need to consider without blowing the bike up!!
3 - what is the Centech fuse unit used for; how do you use / install it?
Regards, and Merry Christmas ... stevia13

 

[Micky]

I have installed a separate 12v socket on my F800GS and that and my Garmin run to a Centech fuse unit wired direct to the battery.

I like to be able to use the GPS without having to have the ignition on. I can charge the 'phone, camera, iPod or whatever while in the tank bag, to the socket by the ignition switch, and have a heated jacket on ... no problems.

I have a small length of cable plugged in to the BMW socket (either) long enough to reach in to the tank bag, with a car sized cig lighter socket so that the iPod, Vodafone etc. chargers then plug in to. Nooo probs

Merry Christmas Stevia13

 

[Mr. Pete]

Centech...the way to go!

I agree. I have used Centech fuse boxes on my past six bikes. It works well and one can use accessories without turning on the key.
Very good product.
Mr. Pete--->

 

[John Armstrong]

My 2p.

Zumo and intercom powered by the canbus plug hidden under the centre panel.

My heated jacket works off the socket by the ignition. If you need to charge a phone etc, run a lead with a cigarette adapter into the tank bag.

Above doesn't involve any cutting into the electrics, and shouldn't flatten the battery, as it's all effectively ignition switched

 

[Greggers]

HIDs and CANbus..

Hi all...

Just starting to think about auxillary lighting on the FGS, and would like to fit an HID system. I've done a couple of bikes before (the 950 S and an R1100RT) but neither had a CANbus system.

Question 1) If I fit a 50w HID kit, will that be canbus friendly, or do I have to get one of those CANbus link-cables?

Question 2) Can I use the accessory cable under the 'tank' panel for anything? I know the max current will be 5A or thereabouts so it's not suitable for anything too beefy, but can I just splice into that cable below the CANbus plug?

Question 3) is there an idiot's guide to CANbus which would tell a reasonably competent layman how CANbus works and what it can do?

...

All feedback gratefully accepted..!

Also - I'm in contact with a company in HK who supplied my other HID kits, they can supply a bike kit with short harness that has 50w slim ballasts.. I'm sure that I can organise a group purchase if there was sufficient interest - Any takers?

Cheers

Greg