R1100R brake light problem?

[cruise_carter]

Have a 2000 R1100R that has Hyperlites installed (at the Trenton Rally). Lights have worked great until today.

While checking over the bike, saw that the brake lights were on all the time.

Brake light goes full intensity (as if brake applied) as soon as key turned to 'park' or 'on'.

Disconnected the hyperlites to see if that was problem, brake light still coming on. Couldn't see any obvious problems at brake lever/pedal.

Anyone know if R1100R had problems with the brake light switch (front/rear/both).

Bike is still under warranty.

Keep the rubber side down..

[kbasa]

Originally posted by cruise_carter
Have a 2000 R1100R that has Hyperlites installed (at the Trenton Rally). Lights have worked great until today.

While checking over the bike, saw that the brake lights were on all the time.

Brake light goes full intensity (as if brake applied) as soon as key turned to 'park' or 'on'.



Check and see if you have a little stone holding the rear brake lever's switch shut.

:dunno

dave

[cruise_carter]

Dave,
Checked the rear switch, can't see anything in there.
When I push down on the rear pedal, there is a flat contact that
moves partly down with the pedal.
Is that proper working order, I'm not sure how this switch works?

Where is a stone liable to get caught?

Thanks for any help,

Dale Carter
Pickering Ontario Canada

[kbasa]

Originally posted by cruise_carter
Dave,
Checked the rear switch, can't see anything in there.
When I push down on the rear pedal, there is a flat contact that
moves partly down with the pedal.
Is that proper working order, I'm not sure how this switch works?

Where is a stone liable to get caught?

Thanks for any help,

Dale Carter
Pickering Ontario Canada

I had a stone get caught in the switch on my VFR and it kept the pedal from retracting completely. Have you tried unplugging the switches to see which one might be activating the light?

dave

[gordo]

My 95 R1100R with 46K miles is having this problem. My problem is a worn front brake master cylinder. The cylinder and brake lever do not return fully. So to get the brake light out I have to push slightly on the brake lever. Also, I was told that I may be having some internal leakage in the master cylinder. The travel required to return to the normal unapplied (light out) position is very small and barely noticable. The brakes seem to be working fine. Your bike is newer and may not have this problem. I'm told there is no rebuild for this and a new master cylinder is around $270 US.

Do you have ABS and any problems with that. I was told the newer bike's ABS will fault if the brake light is staying on. Also, I'm not sure what the failure mode is for the front or rear brake switches that activate the light. If a switch fails does the light stay on or not come on at all?

Gordo

[cruise_carter]

My 2000 has ABS and the brakes are working perfectly.
The ABS warning lights are not staying on, they just do the
initial function check and go out.

I tried to determine which switch may be the culprit but didn't want to muck about too much with them.

The bike is going into the local dealer on Monday (May 26th) to have the 20k check done and the brake fluid changed.

Once it gets sorted out there, I will post the diagnosis and the repair completed to fix it.

Dale

[cruise_carter]

Had the bike into the BMW Experience Centre (also BMW Canada Head Office) in Whitby for the 20k service.

Tech checked out the brake light problem. He found a small nest of spiders inside the housing for the front brake. They had taken up residence in the switch contact area.

He cleaned them out, lubed it, checked it and didn't charge for it.

Spiders are common where I live, property is surrounded by thick cedars (can't complain, they decimate my mosquito population).

Now know where to look in future....

Keep safe, rubber side down.

[jdiaz]

Originally posted by Gordo
I'm told there is no rebuild for this and a new master cylinder is around $270 US.

$270?!?!?!? I replaced this master cyl on my wife's R1100RSA for something like $180.

[r1dinman]

I had a similar problem on a '96 GS. The brake light stayed on an melted the socket/reflector. I had to replace the whole tail light assembly. The solution is a shot of WD-40 on the front brake lever hinge and switch about once a month. I've had no problems since. This is might cheeper than a mastercylinder!

[johngs]

check the microswitch on the hand lever or the back brake peddle. i had the same problem on my GS and it was the switch on the front brake lever.