K11 Owners Group

dwerbil · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 6:39 pm Post subject: Maybe it's the relay

The last few days when firing up the KRS in the wee hours of the morning, sometimes the headlight does not come on when the engine catches. When revving the throttle a bit, the light sort of flutters then comes on and stays on. I did notice the light flicker for a second or two about 20 minutes down the road. Other than that, all else seems ok.
I'm guessing the light relay needs replacing?
_________________

93 K1100RS ~ 2004 R1150RT ~ 84 RS ~ 78 R100/7 ~ 65 R60/2
Click for pics
Randy at Round Rock, Texas

jarnbak · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 7:46 pm Post subject:

Another possibility is your startermotor needs new brushes. The Load sheding relay gets ground from one of the starter brushes.
Regards Palle.

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 8:10 pm Post subject:

Do you have LEDs in the instrument cluster? If so then you need to rev it until the charge light goes out to "excite" the alternator.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

dwerbil · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 8:57 pm Post subject:

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:12 pm Post subject:

The first suspect is the left side combo switch. Have you tried playing with that?

How many miles on the bike?
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

dwerbil · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:29 pm Post subject:

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:44 pm Post subject:

I'll ask since it may help pinpoint it closer.
As an easier indicator, are the inst cluster back lights flickering as well or is it only the headlight.

I would suggest that if other items are also flickering(other than the charge light) then I would look at the starter brushes like jarnbak suggested.

If it's just the headlamp only then Drakes suggestion is more likely the culpret.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

dwerbil · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:01 pm Post subject:

dwerbil · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:37 pm Post subject:

I've done a search here for the side stand switch. There's a major tonnage of topics that come up...guess using quotes around "side stand bypass" doesn't filter the search.
Is there a quick fix to bypass the son of a gun?
_________________

93 K1100RS ~ 2004 R1150RT ~ 84 RS ~ 78 R100/7 ~ 65 R60/2
Click for pics
Randy at Round Rock, Texas

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:45 pm Post subject:

Just short it at the connector. If it's not making the switch move far enough then put a piece of vacuum hose on the tang that pushes on it.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

dwerbil · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 6:51 pm Post subject:

I just traced out the side stand switch and it is unplugged. Obviously a previous owner did that.

Right now, since last night in the garage, when turning on the ignition key to start the bike, all instrument cluster lights come on but not the headlight AND the starter will not run when pressing the start button. The starter relay clicks each time the starter button is pushed. Last night, on occasion, when turning on the key, the headlight would sometimes come on and the starter would work, but not now at all it seems.

Bummer, since I had planned to ride the K all day today here in the Austin, Tx area since the temps climbed into the upper 70's. I too the '84 RS instead.

I'm perplexed.
_________________

93 K1100RS ~ 2004 R1150RT ~ 84 RS ~ 78 R100/7 ~ 65 R60/2
Click for pics
Randy at Round Rock, Texas

ljjohns · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 7:25 pm Post subject:

Dwerbil:

I'm just an old English professor on the fringes of Texas, but I'm wondering about the state of your battery. A lot of the things you've described could be tracked back to that component.

But then I spend a lot of time talking about folks who believed that the earth was the center of the universe, and so take what I say in that context.

Larry Johnson
UT-El Paso
_________________
1993 K1100LT (Washington)
1995 K1100LTSE
1996 K1100LTSE (parts)
2003 K1200LTC
1991 K75RT

dwerbil · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 7:27 pm Post subject:

It's year old Bosch. Has always been a strong one with lots of cranking power.
_________________

93 K1100RS ~ 2004 R1150RT ~ 84 RS ~ 78 R100/7 ~ 65 R60/2
Click for pics
Randy at Round Rock, Texas

Jim · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 7:58 pm Post subject:

I hate to ask the obvious - have you checked to make sure the headlamp is plugged into the socket securely? I bought a replacement bulb when I was traveling last fall (didn't have my spares along for some reason) - got out to the bike to change it, and found the socket had come loose - just enough to lose low beam but not high beam.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

merlin geikie · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:02 pm Post subject:

Dwerbil explains;

dwerbil · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:29 pm Post subject:

dwerbil · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:32 pm Post subject:

merlin geikie · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:45 pm Post subject:

Dwerbil is on the money;

dwerbil · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:51 pm Post subject:

merlin geikie · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:00 pm Post subject:

Dwerbil asks;