Strange electrical problem

[timmo29]

Was out for a ride in the rain yesterday and as the light faded on the way home, I noticed that the instrument backlight was not illuminated and the rev limit rpm LED was dimly lit. Strange, and not good. By the time I got home the backlight was back on but so was the rpm LED. And when I parked up, turned the engine off and removed the key it stayed lit… Oh no; possible intermittent electrical problem! Turning the key from off to on initiates the normal instrument check with all lights and dials cycling and illuminating in the normal way, but the rpm LED stays dimly lit every time and about 90% of the time the instrument backlight fades to off. Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery (IT style!) makes no difference.

Now I did a HID headlight and accessory socket upgrade a couple of weeks ago, but have not seen any issues until now despite riding in the dark several times since. This was the first rain ride however, but everything looks weather tight and well sealed. I assume BMW would send me on my merry way with a scornful chuckle if I tried to get this investigated under warrantee on account of the HID tinkering. I don’t want be caught in the dark with no instrument back light.

Any thoughts?

Timmo.

 

[smaytum]

Bet ya it's a seal in one of your wiring harness plugs. I had a different electical problem a few months back and eventually found a water seal that had not been fitted properly.

I found the problem with a hose pipe testing each area of the bike with lots of water. Eventually managed to recreate the problem when I got the top of the transmission casing wet, and then found the bad connection.

Good luck