RID displays wrong gear selected.

[fatnfast]

After riding in some pretty bad rain the other week, the gear selected display on the RID decided to just show 0 and 6. A quick search revealed that the gear sensor on the back of the gear box is at fault. I removed the old one (which had water in it) and ordered a nice new one. The haynes manual says that there should be a gasket/seal of sorts that goes with this part, but I did not find one when I removed my sensor? Have I dropped it (it is hard to get at) or does the plastic sensor just clip straight in? The replacement has no seal with it.

 

[nunesaf]

After riding in some pretty bad rain the other week, the gear selected display on the RID decided to just show 0 and 6. A quick search revealed that the gear sensor on the back of the gear box is at fault. I removed the old one (which had water in it) and ordered a nice new one. The haynes manual says that there should be a gasket/seal of sorts that goes with this part, but I did not find one when I removed my sensor? Have I dropped it (it is hard to get at) or does the plastic sensor just clip straight in? The replacement has no seal with it.

The same here - when removed it, it had no seal - just the clip.
You should be fine

 

[ELIMINATOR]

when my 1150 was in warranty, this failed. I was told that they packed the new one with silicone grease before fitting it.

 

[fatnfast]

Thanks for the replys. The reason I ask is that when I ordered the new one from Sherlocks, I noticed they list a seal (just like haynes). However, I assumed this would be supplied with the sensor when ordered as a whole item, but there was just the plastic switch/wiring.
Fitted the new sensor (with no additional gasket/seal), all gears show fine on the RID. Took her for a spin and after a while it decided to only display 3,4,5,6 gears?? It occasionally started working as it should as well? Opened my old unit which was pretty damp and furry inside, cleaned it up and refitted. All seems fine again. I have sent the new one back to Sherlocks but I really could do with a new one now I have disturbed the old one. Looks like I will have to wait as they said that they have never had a duff new unit and they will return it to BMW for inspection and wont send out a replacement until this is confirmed.
I think I will coat the new one in sealant before I fit it!

 

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smae thing happened to me after a ride in a tropical downpour, sprayed it with wd40 and after some beautiful sunny warm days which we get lots of it happened less and less till its fixed itself(dried out) have ridden in rain since but nowhere near as heavy- it was that heavy, my earplugs were saturated!!

 

[Vern]

Mine died years ago,but it does show 8th gear every now and again.

Are they a pain to fit when you do get a new one?

 

[fatnfast]

Pretty quick and easy to fit, but only if you have a Y-piece fitted as the sensor is at the back of the gearbox in this area. I removed the tank also as this allows better access to the cable. I remember reading a thread on here that says to use a tyrap (ziptie etc) to compress the spring clamp that holds the sensor in place, which is a top tip. I would say less than an hour to do.

 

[Annette]

If you are going to change it, think about a 2nd hand one from Motorworks. I got one and it came with a 6 month warranty and works perfectly and for less than half the price of a new one

 

[fatnfast]

Got a replacement by return of post from Sherlocks, which is excellent service. After opening up my old one and seeing what ingress of water does, I have coated the new one in silocoset (sealant). This should stop any further problems. Fitted it in less than 45 mins. All working fine as well. I agree with Annette in that it saves a fair bit of dosh buying seconhand, but I would be worried that a bit of moisture is already inside and starting to rot things. Mind you, it took six years before mine finally gave up.