Haunted Flashers

[EastTNBeemer]

While coming home from Memphis yesterday, suddenly both flashers came on at the same time. This happened twice. The first time, I fiddled with the switch and they quit. Later, it took me about 5 mins. get them to stop after I turned off all aux. electrics (GPS, XM, aux lights, heated grips) When this happens, is it because I'm running too much for the charging system? I would appreciate any help.

[soldemall]

This sounds familiar. In my case, the BMW brand theft device failed. Two quick blinks designates setting the system. First thought (hoped) it was weak battery in the remote, but that didn't fix it. The only real thing left, other than loose connection, was the black box. Sure enough, the little pot for sensitivity adjustment had broken off, which made that an open circuit, and, I am guessing, super sensitive. Every little bump would set the system, which on the next bump, would flash lights, blow horn and disengage starter.
I simply removed the entire system, not wanting to risk it shutting me down while on the road. Wires are easily removed and restored to original configuration.

[Cal]

Check if your fan is working. If your fan has shorted out it will activate your emergency flashers when you use your signal lights.

Cal Garcia
Sarasota, FL

[EastTNBeemer]

Thanks, I'll check the fan. I don't have an anti-theft device, so that is ruled out.

[PGlaves]

Try the horn. It is on the same fuse as the fan. There are two 12v leads to the flasher unit. One is switched and the other unswitched with the key. The switched is needed to activate the signals and the unswitched is needed to keep the four-ways flashing with the key off. One is marked signals in the fuse box notation. The other is that pesky fan/horn fused circuit. Had me totally buffaloed for a few days earlier this year. If it is intermittent I'd guess a loose or poor contact fuse or connection in that fan/horn circuit lead to the flasher unit.

[bullit7801]

And, ...
On my old K100 I had all kinds of wierd flasher problems that ended up being a bad connection on the ignition switch. Lucky for me, it was under warrantee at the time, but it drove my mechanic nuts finding it.

good luck, :thumb

tb

[EastTNBeemer]

Thanks folks. The horn works, the fan works, and after 200 miles on Saturday, I had no other problems. Maybe it is a loose connection somewhere. I'll keep looking.

[username]

i've got a buddy who has a k100, and sometimes his left turn signal, front and rear, stays on like a running light. he sprays some stuff into the switch, and it goes away for a few months. then it comes back, and out comes the spray.

[EastTNBeemer]

Do you know what he sprays in the switch?

[username]

Do you know what he sprays in the switch?

sorry for the late reply...

it was described to me in email as "electrical contact cleaner." apparently some stuff made specifically to make switches work better.

hope this helps.

[YB in IN]

sorry for the late reply...

it was described to me in email as "electrical contact cleaner." apparently some stuff made specifically to make switches work better.

hope this helps.

You can by non-spark cleaner at any auto parts store. It's a bit pricey, but it'll do the trick.

[soldemall]

Do you know what he sprays in the switch?

Electrical repellent? :dunno

[GSTom]

My 88 K100 flashers are not flashing, yet my turn signals work fine. Where should I look first, the switch on the dash? TIA for any advice :dunno

[YB in IN]

My 88 K100 flashers are not flashing, yet my turn signals work fine. Where should I look first, the switch on the dash? TIA for any advice :dunno

If it's like my K-bike, the turn signals and the four way flashers are on a different relay. It may be that you have a bad connection, or that your 4-way flasher relay is dead. The relay is located underneath the tank (you'll have to take it off) on the left hand side. I don't remembner what the marking is, but you could follow the wire from your switch on the dash down to where it plugs in. I'd first pull it apart and see if there is any corrosion, and then spray it down with some electrical cleaner just for good measure. If that doesn't work you may have a relay thats gone bad. I believe that when I put mine in it cost right around 30 bucks or somewhere in that ballpark.

[deilenberger]

If it's like my K-bike, the turn signals and the four way flashers are on a different relay. It may be that you have a bad connection, or that your 4-way flasher relay is dead. The relay is located underneath the tank (you'll have to take it off) on the left hand side. I don't remembner what the marking is, but you could follow the wire from your switch on the dash down to where it plugs in. I'd first pull it apart and see if there is any corrosion, and then spray it down with some electrical cleaner just for good measure. If that doesn't work you may have a relay thats gone bad. I believe that when I put mine in it cost right around 30 bucks or somewhere in that ballpark.


Huh? :dunno

You must have the only K bike in the world that was wired that way. Every other one came with the connector for the flasher-switch which simply triggers the existing flasher relay to flash all 4 lights at once.

I think some time with your wiring diagram would be interesting..

The usual cause of non-operative 4-ways is the wiring at the switch corrodes and breaks. Usually caused by rain hitting the back of the switch. Fix is to resolder the wire to the switch.