K11 Owners Group

Dennis · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Toronto Canada

Hi all, I was wondering if anybody could suggest what to look for with a heated grip problem. I had a 1994 BMW K100LT SE that I passed along to my brother this past spring and he's having an issue with the heated grips. He turned them on the other night and now he can't turn them off. As long as the bike is running the grips are hot, and as you can imagine it's not too comfortable in the summer heat. I know it's pretty tough to trouble shoot without seeing, but I'm just wondering if there are any common issues to check out first. Are the switches known to be problematic, or is it likely to be a fault in a connection? Also, is there a fuse specifically for the grips, or is it going to be something that covers the grips and the gauges or something along those lines? Any possible suggestions on where to start looking would be appreciated, thanks.

BMGraeme · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:34 am Post subject:

First thing I would do is check the switch especially the wiring to it. Its very easy to pull wires off the contacts at the rear of the switch if the plastic ignition cover panel has been taken off. Could be that live wires have been pulled off and are now connecting externally to the switch.
_________________
1980 CB900FA
1994 K1100RS
2008 R1200GSA

DLBass · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 8:11 am Post subject:

I'd start by popping the switch out and WD40ing it whilst rocking it on and off to see if the simple fix works, before ripping the tank off etc.
_________________
There is only now, yesterday is gone and is unchangeable, tomorrow is uncertain. Live in the moment.

old guy old bike · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 12:41 pm Post subject:

You can lift the tank and unplug them until you find the problem. You don't want to have them on low for any extended time as they can sometimes melt the harness under the tank. BTDT not fun.
Jeff
_________________
1993 K1100LT
2003 K1200GT Gone but not forgotten
2014 Victory Crossraods

Dennis · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Toronto Canada

Thanks everybody, I will pass along the suggestions!

ol-Levi · Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 5:08 pm Post subject:

You do know that it is a 'center off' switch, right?
_________________
97 K1100LT le (Kaw lady) with 119,000 miles.

robert85 · Joined: 25 Oct 2011 Posts: 22

I'd like to use the BMW switch mated with the aftermarket cheapo foil/circuit board type heating elements. Is there any reason why this would not be do-able? The latter typically coming with a three-position switch, just like the BMW rocker switch that fits in the handlebar cover.

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:46 pm Post subject:

Using just the switch shouldn't be a problem, just be sure that in your "rewiring" you don't use the resister wiring of the original heated grip circuit. That is what's been known to fail and burn.
_________________
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)