Indicator problem

[Dave Cr]

On holiday a few days ago, the right hand turn signal and indicators suddenly started to operate independently. They could not be turned off with the cancel switch. This problem was intermittent for a few miles, but my only safe option was to remove the bulbs. Even then, the dashboard indicator still signalled regularly. Two BMW dealers I contacted have never heard of that before. Has anyone got any idea what the problem (and solution) is?
On a happier note, the 500 road, south from Baden - Baden, was fantastic.

 

[Magwych]

Dave,

been there before ....

It wil be either th switch in handlebar unit, or the ZFE, according to the dealer ( Park Lane ) that fixed mine. Took two attempts due to the problem only occurring in the damp. BMW Assist kindly sprayed the switch with WD-40 and took the bulbs out - a quality repair, don't now hwat I would have done without them !

The answer in my case was a new handlebar switch unit. Have a trawl through some threads and you will see this is not unique....

 

[radrod]

This happend to me back in january. The switch failed. It was replaced and works fine now.

I remember holding down the cancel switch for a long time however that caused other features to activate at unwanted times. (like the parking lights remaining on when dismounted) I ended up removing the bulb too and used old school hand signals.

 

[Dave Cr]

Thanks for that info. lads. Cleaned the bike today and squirted switch cleaner into the indicator button. Put the bulbs back in and everything seems to be working ok again. The bike has had a real soaking during the last holiday,so maybe this is the problem. I'll let you know of any developments.

 

[steveuk]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106996

similar problem - i posted this just a few days ago.

 

[robb]

On holiday a few days ago, the right hand turn signal and indicators suddenly started to operate independently. They could not be turned off with the cancel switch. This problem was intermittent for a few miles, but my only safe option was to remove the bulbs. Even then, the dashboard indicator still signalled regularly. Two BMW dealers I contacted have never heard of that before. Has anyone got any idea what the problem (and solution) is?
On a happier note, the 500 road, south from Baden - Baden, was fantastic.

I've had that problem - new indicator switch under warranty

 

[Dave Cr]

My 'repair' only lasted 10 minutes. Went out for a ride two days ago and the indicator wouldn't work at all this time. Called in to the dealers today and it needs a new switch unit. Bike is only just out of warranty, so might copy these pages to suggest that it is becoming a common problem.

 

[paulB]

c**p indicator switches

Yes, had to have both handlebar switch units changed when my bike was about a year and a half old. Whilst waiting for the first unit to be changed I tried to execute a more durable temporary repair than just spraying switch clean in from the underside of the unit. I took off the switch unit and totally dismantled it. The problem is caused by totally pathetic plastic/rubber circular 'gaskets' round the micro-switches. The gaskets around every switch in the unit looked like a Terry's chocolate orange that has been whacked on the table (i.e. they had all perished and had many splits in them). I soaked the switches in switch clean overnight but again the 'repair' only lasted a couple of weeks.
What bothers me is that replacement switch units are exactly the same design as the old one and are almost guaranteed to fail after about the same period.
I'm certainly more careful with the hose when cleaning the bike now and avoid spraying the handlebars at all.
Hope this helps

 

[blackbird]

Wise words from paulB regarding washing your bike, keep the hose well away from the handlebars i have also had the right & left indicator switches replaced. What BMW should do is modify the indicator switchgear and recall all the GS1200 bikes out there as its a potential deathtrap fault..

 

[Dave Cr]

Excellent response from Jefferies who contacted BMW and negotiated a goodwill replacement of the indicator switch. The cost would have been over £120!! Thanks to all of you who replied to my initial enquiry. Enjoy the summer.

 

[mandoonsouf]

Is there anything I can do?

One of the indicator switches has stopped working (I know its not the bulb) - is there any point in have a look myself (I am not one of the worlds greatest mechanics) ?

 

[Engineer]

Yes, had to have both handlebar switch units changed when my bike was about a year and a half old. Whilst waiting for the first unit to be changed I tried to execute a more durable temporary repair than just spraying switch clean in from the underside of the unit. I took off the switch unit and totally dismantled it. The problem is caused by totally pathetic plastic/rubber circular 'gaskets' round the micro-switches. The gaskets around every switch in the unit looked like a Terry's chocolate orange that has been whacked on the table (i.e. they had all perished and had many splits in them). I soaked the switches in switch clean overnight but again the 'repair' only lasted a couple of weeks.
What bothers me is that replacement switch units are exactly the same design as the old one and are almost guaranteed to fail after about the same period.
I'm certainly more careful with the hose when cleaning the bike now and avoid spraying the handlebars at all.
Hope this helps

This has just happened to my left hand indicator switch - Well actually I lie, it happened after a good soaking on the way to the South of France last September, but has just happened again after washing the bike.

I didn't have sufficient tools with me to do a total dis-assembly last September but a partial diassembly revealed the same perished 'gasket' referred to above. Looks like replacement swithgear unless I can dismantle the switch and fashion some sort of improved seal.

But as you say, the replacement will eventually be prone to failure in the same manner.

 

[Spout]

Looks like replacement swithgear unless I can dismantle the switch and fashion some sort of improved seal.

Pack with lashings of grease

I regularly squirt WD40 in, but at nearly three years old mine have started playing up. I'm going to give grease a try.

 

[GSband]

On my '05 bike the left handlebar switch unit broke down, and 3 months later while in Wales the right one. Got replacements under warranty.

Must be one of the reasons why BMW is changing to 'conventional' switches on handlebars.