Indicator problem

[PW Cymru]

Suffered the most annoying indicator problem today. I have recently had one of Rob's Autoswitches fitted to control a pair of mirco de's by BTBR and an excellent job he did too so I am asuming that the instillation is totally correct.

The problem is that the left hand indicator sometimes refuses to cancel and can only be stopped if you hold the cancel switch in, as soon as you leave it go the left indicator starts again.

If I press the right hand indicator when the left is flashing it sometimes canels the left and flashes the right only, other times they'll flash together.

Periodically it will all return to normal then revert to annoying/dangerous mode and refuse to cancel.

I have heard of Autoswitch problems but does anybody think that this is symptomatic of a knackered autoswitch.

Help appreciated

 

[Frank Warner]

May be something is holding the left button down?

Or at least it looks that way to the blinker relay - eg dirt across the left button.

 

[BTBR]

Suffered the most annoying indicator problem today. I have recently had one of Rob's Autoswitches fitted to control a pair of mirco de's by BTBR and an excellent job he did too so I am asuming that the instillation is totally correct.

The problem is that the left hand indicator sometimes refuses to cancel and can only be stopped if you hold the cancel switch in, as soon as you leave it go the left indicator starts again.

If I press the right hand indicator when the left is flashing it sometimes canels the left and flashes the right only, other times they'll flash together.

Periodically it will all return to normal then revert to annoying/dangerous mode and refuse to cancel.

I have heard of Autoswitch problems but does anybody think that this is symptomatic of a knackered autoswitch.

Help appreciated

Sorry to hear about this PW, what a totally bizarre happening!!!!!
I'm pretty certain its nothing to do with the wiring. Maybe Rob can shed some light (no pun intended) on it?
The only other thing to do is to isolate the Autoswitch, pop the fuse box out (easier said than done!) and disconnect the wire that goes to the brown/white cable on the right hand side of the box (looking at it from the rear of the bike)

If you do decide to take the fuse box out, warm the plastic up first with a heat gun to allow the plastic to flex, otherwise it "WILL" snap.......trust me....I know!!

There are three connections inside the fuse box that are linked to the Autoswitch. Ignition live which is the green/blue wire, earth which is the brown wire and the signal wire from the indicator unit which is brown/white wire.

Unsolder the brown/white wire and try it again, you will not need to disconnect the other wires. Depending on the outcome decides on what we do next?

BTBR

 

[PW Cymru]

Thanks Frank & Alan,

Quote:- Maybe Rob can shed some light (no pun intended) on it?

No more light reqd thank you, it was like a bloody xmas tree on acid coming home yesterday.

Thanks for the responses n ideas I'll start fiddling tonight, what is bizarre is that its only the left hand side, I'll start with the handlebar switch first then go on to Alan autoswitch isolation sugestion.

Many thanks

 

[MikeO]

I had the left hand indicator switch fail (IIRC, so did Guitarman), which meant the indicator switch was active until you actually pulled it back out again. Not sure if this would account for the rest of the electrical weirdness you're experiencing (I didn't have an Autoswitch fitted at the time).

I had the whole unit replaced under warranty, as BMW don't sell the individual switches. If you need to go this way, Motorworks sell second hand switchgear for around £35...

Mike

 

[PW Cymru]

Thanks Mike,

I'm going to have a look at the switch tonight just to see if its in one piece.

 

[gazza]

And me Paul, did it on my last 1150. Wonder why its always the left one. Anyway blasted it with contact cleaner and it never happened again.

 

[MikeO]

And me Paul, did it on my last 1150. Wonder why its always the left one. Anyway blasted it with contact cleaner and it never happened again.

Perhaps because that's the one we all press like mad when we think we're operating the horn?

Mike

 

[gazza]

Probably right Mike I have given a few dozy car drivers a severe blast of left indicator.

 

[guitarman]

What a memory you have Mike!

Yep, I had a similar problem. Something came loose inside the switch and the left switch was actually "hanging loose" although it wasn't very obvious.

I tried to take the switch off the bar but gave up as it wouldn't come off (must have been a hidden screw somewhere ). Oddly enough when I tightened it all up again the bloody thing started working

Hope you get yours sorted Paul. See you in Hereford btw!

Cheers

Dick

 

[PW Cymru]

Hi Gazza,

Removed the switch assy applied wd40, wiped off excess re-assembled and run bike for 10 mins no repeat of indicator problem.

Perhaps it was debris shorting the contacts and the wd40 flushed it out but it appears to work ok for now. However the problem was sporadic and for the last 30 mins of yesterdays run I only had 2 uncommanded left indications which cancelled without a problem.

I'll have to give it an extended run to make sure its cleared.

P.S. Thanks for the responses gents much appreciated.

I'm just glad it wasn't the horn switch the $£%&£$ up, now that would have been embarassing.

 

[PW Cymru]

Your turn for a round I think Dick