low beam outage.

[bernie]

My low beam does not get any voltage.

[deilenberger]

My low beam does not get any voltage.

A tiny bit more information, like model/year/miles might help make a better informed response.. but usually when that happens either the plug for the bulb has melted down, or the high-low switch has melted down. The switch is the most likely suspect on early K's. This is more frequent with bikes where the owner has installed a higher wattage bulb, or the bike has been ridden frequently in rain (the switch isn't at all well sealed.)

[Gilly]

Bad

[jdiaz]

I had the same failure this week, and ordered a new handlebar switch.

[RandallIsland]

.. but usually when that happens either the plug for the bulb has melted down, or the high-low switch has melted down. The switch is the most likely suspect on early K's. This is more frequent with bikes where the owner has installed a higher wattage bulb, or the bike has been ridden frequently in rain (the switch isn't at all well sealed.)

I had the same problem last night with my low beam. I didn't realize running a hotter bulb was a risk to my switch. Good to know. Thanks.

I had the same failure this week, and ordered a new handlebar switch.

I just did the same. The good news, according to Max BMW, is that the warranty has been recently extended to 2 years for the switch assembly ... up from just 1.

[BuddingGeezer]

The early K headlight circuit runs through the hi/low switch. BMW also used very small gauge wire. This is the reason I wired my headlight directly to the battery with fused individual relays and heavier wire. Brighter lights and the only load on the switch is the low draw relay triggers.

Ralph Sims

[RandallIsland]

The early K headlight circuit runs through the hi/low switch. BMW also used very small gauge wire. This is the reason I wired my headlight directly to the battery with fused individual relays and heavier wire. Brighter lights and the only load on the switch is the low draw relay triggers.


If only an electronic philistine like myself could emulate what you did.

~sigh~

...if only I had pictures and/or a layman's explanation...

~sigh~

[BuddingGeezer]

If only an electronic philistine like myself could emulate what you did.

~sigh~

...if only I had pictures and/or a layman's explanateion...

~sigh~

It's not hard to understand. I guess it's hard on a K100LT because of the tupperware and tank removal.

I cut the headlight plug wires real short and soldered 14 AWG wire to the plug. I used white, yellow and black. White, yellow are high/low beam. I forget which, but it doesn't matter because they will be wired right if matched.

The 20 awg I cut from the headlight I pulled back to the box where the tool kit goes. (Put your tool kit in the tail section). I wired these wires to thye terminal of 10amp relays. They are about $5 a piece at any auto parts store. I then connected the corresponding 14 awg wires to the proper terminal on the relay. I connected the black wire to ground . The power to the relays are red 14 awg wire connected to the starter relay terminal where it connects to the battery. You could connect to the battery. The relays need to be grounded also. I took double sided tape a stuck the relays to the tool box. I had one of those alarm components, but it did not work and I removed it. That's where I found the room.

One could double side tape the relays under the fairing below the headlight if they wanted to.

Makes a big difference on the light and takes a lot of strain of the switch. I have never been a fan of using higher wattage bulbs than OEM. Usually something melts or catches fire.

I'm not a big fan of German engineering. German cars stay broke a lot. (IMO)


Ralph Sims

[deilenberger]

If only an electronic philistine like myself could emulate what you did.

~sigh~

...if only I had pictures and/or a layman's explanation...

~sigh~Become familiar with the IBMWR K-tech facts.. there are several solutions/suggestions for doing this on a K.

http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech.shtml

[RandallIsland]

Those IBMWR pages are SUCH a great resource!

:thumb

Thank you both.

[bernie]

It is a 1993 k1100lt. It has 120,000 miles on it