Strange problem

[NorthernBoy]

I picked up my ex-demo GS yesterday (2005/55, 3,400 miles), and rode it home with no problem.

Today, I decided to head from London to Brighton, so headed South. About 30 miles in, though, the bike started indicating left. It would not cancel unless I first hit the left indicator, then the cancel button. It got more andmore frequent, until it would not cancel at all. I pulled over and stoppped, and tried a reboot,through turning it off, waiting two minutes, and starting again. No joy, though. I noticed, too, that the rear light and dipped beam stayed on, even though it was turned off (ignition in the steering lock position, key out).

I then managed, through a combination of buttons, to get it to flash both indicators constantly (like hazard lights), so at least people would not think I was turning off and pull out infront of me. I then gingerly made my way to the in-laws in brighton.

BMW suggested disconnecing the battery (I did not have a suitable screwdriver, or socket in the rubbish new toolkit), and I will probably try that shortly, once I have thawed out, but I thought I would ask for advice on here first.

Does anyone know of a way to do a harder reset than the key-out one? Has anyone come across this before?

I will head up to Halfords in a bit, for a couple of extra tools, but am nervous about heading home later on a bike that might start acting up again. It will be dark before I get home, I have my wife on the back,and the bike deciding to start indicating left is not good.

Cheers for any suggestions.

 

[Tarka]

You could try the battery disconnect,but seeing as you`ve only had the bike for a dog-watch,get the feckers to come and sort it out for you...you shouldn`t have to start getting your hands dirty fixing a bike only 24 hours into ownership.....
If they won`t come to you,put tape over the indicator lenses and take the bike back to them....and request a loan bike if they won`t work on it straight away.

 

[NorthernBoy]

Yes, I amdefinitely going to get them to fix it, I just wat a simple way to get it home, rather than have the hassleofwaitiing here, and maybe getting a train back.

The disconnect did not work, so I am going to take the indicator bulbs out for the trip back.

I know that things can go wrong with any bike, but I ampretty pissed off that it has happpened within 28 hours. If it was brand new, then I would put it down to a startup glitch, but this bike has been run as a demonstrator for four months. Howdid this suddenly happen.

They did fit an alarm this week, perhaps that has been messed up.

 

[Fanum]

The disconnect did not work, so I am going to take the indicator bulbs out for the trip back.

.

Wouldn't it be beter to have the hazards on rather than no indicators at all????

Dunno...

 

[(RIP) Jamie]

Wouldn't it be beter to have the hazards on rather than no indicators at all????

Dunno...

Yep, I would.

Sounds like the alarm was fitted wrong as well, crazy electrics after something like that sounds about right.

 

[wildbeeste]

I live in Brighton well Hove actu....
I have a garage as well
If you want to leave it here you are welcome to.
I also have some tools (and a manual)
So we could at least disconnect things

 

[Tarka]

They did fit an alarm this week, .

Oh dear.....here we go again.....


The fecking trouble these things give.....either because of some feckwitted muppet thinking they know what they`re doing when they don`t and thus bodging the installation...or because the units just aren`t durable enough for bike use.

Do yerself a favour and either get the Dealer to rip the fecking out or do it yourself.

Bin it...forget about it...and get on with enjoying your bike.

 

[NorthernBoy]

Wouldn't it be beter to have the hazards on rather than no indicators at all????

Dunno...

It kept droppping back to indicating left, and took some work to get back on to hazzards.

 

[NorthernBoy]

I live in Brighton well Hove actu....
I have a garage as well
If you want to leave it here you are welcome to.
I also have some tools (and a manual)
So we could at least disconnect things

Thatt's a very kind offer, thanks, but I am just going to take it back home. It is all motorway or big A road from this part of town, so I can make it back sansindicators without inconveniencing other road users too badly.

Are problems with BMW alarms common, then?

 

[Tarka]

Are problems with BMW alarms common, then?

I wouldn`t say BMW alarms per se,but alarms generically.

Too many people have had too many alarm related hassles,IMHO....

I`ve been asked enough times to look at them for people over the years to consider most vehicle alarms a PITA and more fecking hassle than they`re worth.

 

[NorthernBoy]

Well, I got home, but the problem kept coming back. It was a strange one, though. It was fine for the first 20 minutes, but then started, and went from very intermittent to nearly constant, and then backed off again for the last ten miles. I had to have a combination of hazards and using the cancel button.

If I can see where they have put the alarm, I might try pulling the fuse on it to see if that does anything.

I spent 20 minutes trying to put my seat on low, too, thinking that I just wasn't lining it up right, only to realise that the problem was that the toolkit was blocking it. Without taking out my couple of new tools (small 1/4" ratchet, couple of sockets, torx set), I think I am just going to have to keep the back of the seat set on the higher setting.

Much to learn on this bike, I think.