Strange problem accessory socket anybody else had this?

Me too - at first the problem seemed to happen a lot, now it happens occasionally. My bike has had yet another software update recently, but that didn't seem to have any effect on the power socket problem.

Of course the circuit was working fine when the BMW technician checked it during the service.
 
ianm00 said:
I now know of two other 1200GS who have just had the latest "battery fix" software update done and are now having similar problems with the GPS power connector and the +12V accessory plugs!
Click to expand...

Hmm, I had the "battery" software update in early December - last week the rear socket wouldn't work with my heated jacket - this was the first time I had used the jacket since the update. However, I assumed the wires had corroded through (again!) - I haven't got around to checking/testing it yet - I didn't realise it may have been caused by the update :nenau
 
Mouse said:
If it happens again Clive, try resetting the bike (ignition off), that usually goads mine into life.
Click to expand...

Had a bit of testing session at the weekend - cleaned as much corrosion as I could from the back/inside of the socket and with just the jacket thermostat plugged in managed to get 12 volts showing on the multimeter.
So I thought I had fixed it, however, I discovered this morning that the jacket still wouldn't work.
After much feckin about, at the M4 services, with ignition off/on I finally realised that it would only work with the thermostat on it's lowest setting - more than about 1/16th of a turn and the "fuse" would blow.
So my latest theory is that futher corrosion (maybe hidden in the wires at the back of the socket?) is causing too much resistance and the canbus is detecting this as a short and switching off the circuit.
Anyone more electricky minded care to agree with me - or have another theory? :)
Of course if the damn thing was in an easier place to get to :spitfire I'd just replace it anyway.
 
I haven't tried my BMW Nav2 GPS lately, but my Autocom turned itself off the other day after about 3 mins of riding, preventing me from chatting over radio to my riding buddy. When we stopped and I reset the ignition, it restarted the Autocom. I didn't have a problem until the 'battery drain update' was performed so I suspect it is the cause.

Will they (BWM) ever get it right ???? :mad: :spitfire
 
Pukmeister said:
I haven't tried my BMW Nav2 GPS lately, but my Autocom turned itself off the other day after about 3 mins of riding, preventing me from chatting over radio to my riding buddy. When we stopped and I reset the ignition, it restarted the Autocom. I didn't have a problem until the 'battery drain update' was performed so I suspect it is the cause.

Will they (BWM) ever get it right ???? :mad: :spitfire
Click to expand...

I tried ringing BMW about this problem & the update today. Apparently they dont have any technical customer facing people!

We all need to keep going back and hassling dealers until this gets fixed. Nothing will happen unless many customers go back with these problems!

Ian
 
My heated jacket doesnt work either, the power light goes off after about 10 seconds and stays that way. Only found this out the first time I went to use it (as the ice formed on my visor in spain) though, so Im not sure if its the jacket or the power socket at fault

Joe
 
Slight update on this matter.

I've been doing some more observations of the problem as it occurs on my bike, and I have now convinced myself that it's related to the battery. I reckon my battery is getting a bit weak (as is known to happen by many people) - I have had to jump start the bike once and it's been sluggish on many occasions.

To add to that I speculate that in the recent software update the tolerance for cutting the auxilary power circuit was changed in some way - maybe the control unit turns off the circuit if the voltage drops below a certain level and the weak battery is causing this.

The fault certainly seems to happen more after a few hours of stop/start riding (eg green laning, lots of engine restarting involved compared to normal riding), and less on the early parts of a ride when the bike has been on the optimate for 12 hours previously.

Anyway I'm going to try and get hold of a new battery, either from BMW under warranty or just buy a high capacity one and see how that affects matters.
 
Mouse said:
Slight update on this matter.

I've been doing some more observations of the problem as it occurs on my bike, and I have now convinced myself that it's related to the battery. I reckon my battery is getting a bit weak (as is known to happen by many people) - I have had to jump start the bike once and it's been sluggish on many occasions.

To add to that I speculate that in the recent software update the tolerance for cutting the auxilary power circuit was changed in some way - maybe the control unit turns off the circuit if the voltage drops below a certain level and the weak battery is causing this.

The fault certainly seems to happen more after a few hours of stop/start riding (eg green laning, lots of engine restarting involved compared to normal riding), and less on the early parts of a ride when the bike has been on the optimate for 12 hours previously.

Anyway I'm going to try and get hold of a new battery, either from BMW under warranty or just buy a high capacity one and see how that affects matters.
Click to expand...

Mouse,

Ive not had any problems with the battery (yet!!!) but I do tend to go on fairly long rides. I have found that if you start the bike with heated grips/ Navigator on then usually (but not always) the navigator goes into its on-off switching cycle. I am convinced that the fault only happens during the "boot up" self test stage just after turning the ignition on.

I find that starting the bike with everything off, then switching the accesories on usually means that the navigator works. If after starting the bike the navigator comes on without turning off it always works correct until the ignition is turned off.

Ian
 
I think what you say would fit with my theory that it's a voltage drop causing the control unit to get confused ... there will be a large voltage drop while the starter motor is turning.

I too have noticed that if the "problem" is going to occur, it almost always does so right after starting the engine. But when trail riding I often use the kill switch or sidestand to kill the engine (to avoid having to turn off the ABS and headlight repeatedly) and the problem has occurred when I restart the bike, even though the main ignition switch hasn't been turned off.

I'll report back when I have obtained a new battery, probably going to buy one of those Hawker mega battery jobbies :)
 
Mouse said:
I think what you say would fit with my theory that it's a voltage drop causing the control unit to get confused ... there will be a large voltage drop while the starter motor is turning.
Click to expand...

What's been said in the last couple of posts would seem to make a lot of sense.

Mouse, I've used Hawk Oddessey batteries in Guzzis for years and they are absolutley brilliant - a Guzzi sized one is about £80 but it really is money well spent as I have never experianced battery related problems since starting to use them :thumb

If you decide to go that route please can you let us know which model number fits the GS as I would like to get one as soon as my current battery starts to give up.

Cheers
Andres
 
The Hawker battery that fits the R1200GS is a PC535GS, but I haven't yet found one at a decent price. It's the same spec as the PC535 but a different physical size as the 1200's battery compartment is smaller than standard (150 x 85 x 145 mm).

Knight Batteries ( www.knightbatteries.com ) do them for about £92 inc delivery. Cheshire Batteries in Crewe are quite local to me but haven't got that part in stock and hadn't heard of it. But they are going to get back to me later today. They were doing the PC535 for about £60 so a far better price :)
 
off topic, sorry.

Outtomunch said:
I've used Hawk Oddessey batteries in Guzzis for years and they are absolutley brilliant - a Guzzi sized one is about £80
Click to expand...

i'm looking for one at the moment, PC925 is the hawker part number. motorworks price is £129 :eek:

know anywhere cheaper?
 
cookie said:
off topic, sorry.



i'm looking for one at the moment, PC925 is the hawker part number. motorworks price is £129 :eek:

know anywhere cheaper?
Click to expand...

I'll have a look when I get home and see if I have the recipt as I can't remember where I got the last one...............have a nagging feeling I bought it from Motomecha though :nenau

Andres
 
jedi-knight said:
Can the PC535 size be wheedled into place?
Click to expand...

I had wondered the same thing. It's 20mm longer, 14 mm wider and 10mm taller. So it'd be a squash. But the 1200's battery compartment is little more than a platform for the battery to sit on and a retaining strap.

I might have a speculative trip to Crewe to try one out if they can't get me the correct model, or look locally for a battery of that size to try for fit.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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