Dead 1100 GS

[Bullefnatt]

Yesterday I was out riding my 97-1100 GS for about 4 hours, nothing peculiar at all.
I parked the bike, left it outside my house for 4 hours, started it up again, and it went black.......
I mean b.l.a.c.k, no nothing, no FID, no fuelpump, no lights no nothing
So far I have checked the fuses which are old, but seem intact.
The battery has seen minimal milage, and was charged several times this winter.
I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction....
Where do I start?

Any coments much appreciated, as I am miles from any BMW dealer/mechanic, and even further from one that could be regarded as "competent"

Thanks
B-fnatt

 

[Tarka]

A fairly common age related failure is in the short section of wiring from the switch contact block at the bottom of the ignition barrel.

The switch block is a kind of nylon 'button' inserted into the bottom of the barrel with a few inches of cable usually routed to the left side and going to a connector block just under the front lip of the tank.

It`s been known for the wires to break.....ironically it`s often the live feed to the switch,which would account for eveything being 'dead'.

Find the wire and try waggling it gently from side to side with the ignition on to see if everything comes on.
This will prove the fault.

Bear in mind that the broken ends may not actually come into contact,though,so it could be worth slicing the outer sleeve open to inspect the wires individually...you can easily feel a break inside a wire with your fingertips.

Another fault could be the switch block itself......mine failed in such a way that the ignition was on all the time ... even with the key out...and it deep discharged the battery.

 

[Mick O'Malley]

Plug an accessory (or a multimeter) into the socket and see if there's anything left in the battery, that'll give you an initial clue.

Regards, Mick

 

[Vern]

Water in the side stand switch is a favorite.I can't remember if it kills everything or not,I slung mine away years ago

 

[Bullefnatt]

This is disturbing
I checked the battery, voltmeter gave a reading of 12
Fiddling about battery, wires there and steering lock seemed to "fix" it
Turned the key by coincidence and it hummed to life...................

The most disturbing thing is that it will happen again, won't it, stuck somewhere remote, no coverage on the cellular......

 

[Vern]

tarka wins a doughnut then

 

[Hew]

The most disturbing thing is that it will happen again, won't it, stuck somewhere remote, no coverage on the cellular......

It is guaranteed to happen again. The wire is broken and only connecting because of steering position or plastic cover.
Save yourself the chance of being stranded and solder the cable, if it is possible or fit a new one if it is not.

 

[cookie]

The most disturbing thing is that it will happen again, won't it, stuck somewhere remote, no coverage on the cellular......

no, because you're going to buy a new ignition sub loom, aren't you?


aren't you?

 

[Steptoe]

You'll be wanting one of these -

I replace about one a month, only a 5 minute job. Part about £40 or less.
And don't cable tie the new loom to the frame, let it run loose.




And the part number =

 

[Tsiklonaut]

Steptoe, is that the wiring that attaches to the ignition switch assemby?

You'll be wanting one of these -

I replace about one a month, only a 5 minute job. Part about £40 or less.
And don't cable tie the new loom to the frame, let it run loose.




And the part number =

 

[Steptoe]

Steptoe, is that the wiring that attaches to the ignition switch assemby?

Loom and lower switch assembly is all one part. Held in place on the ignition barrel underneth, with one tiny screw in the side of the ignition barrel .

 

[Bullefnatt]

Cheers guys
Ill get on the phone tomorrow to my (worthless) BMW dealer up here
I went there to buy oil yesterday, 4 hour ride, only to be told that he didnt have any................

Tarka!
One Donut up for grabs, just across the pond from Newcastle, 24 hours of intensive riding straight north, red house on your left, sorry, right...
The one with the funny dog outside

 

[Tarka]

Tarka!
One Donut up for grabs, just across the pond from Newcastle, 24 hours of intensive riding straight north, red house on your left, sorry, right...
The one with the funny dog outside....

I`m pleased to have been of help.....

 

[AndrewD]

I'm hoping I have the same ignition issue on a friends now stuck in my workshop!

 

[West coast gser]

You'll be wanting one of these -

I replace about one a month, only a 5 minute job. Part about £40 or less.
And don't cable tie the new loom to the frame, let it run loose.




And the part number =

I must be blind ..I cant see any pics ..

 

[notagser]

I must be blind ..I cant see any pics ..

They fade over time.........

 

[ynotbiker]

could do with the link also

 

[ross.]

could do with the link also

there is a website on here that sells ignition switches