K11 Owners Group

BMW_Mick

Hi all,

I have just got a '94 'LT, but it has a couple of problems, one of which is that the fuel consumption is not what I expected, I can only get about 160 miles before the warning light comes on, and when that happens there is virtuually no fuel in the tank that I can see. I suspect it's running rich, but to be honest, I'm no mechanic so any help would be appreciated.

The second problem is that the red warning light doesn't go out after tapping both brakes. The tail and brake lights are working fine, but I'd like to got it sorted.

Oh, forgot that the side stand cutout doesn't work - no biggie, but it won't re=start in gear with the clutch level in either, which is a pain.

Any help appreciated.

Mick

Off the grid · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:35 pm Post subject:

I don't have any answers but welcome to the site!
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:38 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the forum. Plenty of information here.
We like lots of pics here, they tell plenty.... Very Happy

so post em if you got em.
We have another "bmwmick" here and he's a wealth of electrical info he may chime in here if I have missed something.

As far a fuel consumption, try a good thorough tune up, injector cleaner, fresh plugs, throttle body sync, clean air filter.

The not starting when in gear suggests that your clutch switch at the handle isn't working.
A number of riders/owners have bypassed the sidestand cut-out switch.

Brake light warning lamp.
If both brake switches (front and rear) will activate the brake lamp then most likely the problem is with the lamp monitor module.
It's not uncommon to have the front brake switch hang(stick) on because the lever hasn't returned all the way. Obviously the brake lamp stays on when this happens.
_________________
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)

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:46 pm Post subject:

It's actually more likely the brake light bulb is causing your problem than the bulb monitor unit. Even though the light is lighting up it is possilbe that the bulb is not giving the BMU the resistance it expects. Try cleaing the contacts on the bulb and socket or a new bulb.

What do you mean about the cutoff switch not working? As mentioned, lots of us prefer not to have the cutout and short the switch.

And welcome....
_________________
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

Tim (Midland Section)

jarnbak · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 7:36 am Post subject: tail light

Check that both bulbs are working(tail+brake)If the tail light bulb is burned out the system will turn the brake light bulb on but dimmed.When you hit the brakes it goes to bright.So you can have normal light on only the brake light bulb, but the fail light will be on.
regards
Palle.

aries · Joined: 13 Nov 2008 Posts: 13 Location: Surrey. UK

[quote="BMW_Mick"]Hi all,

I have just got a '94 'LT, but it has a couple of problems, one of which is that the fuel consumption is not what I expected, I can only get about 160 miles before the warning light comes on, and when that happens there is virtuually no fuel in the tank that I can see. I suspect it's running rich, but to be honest, I'm no mechanic so any help would be appreciated.

The second problem is that the red warning light doesn't go out after tapping both brakes. The tail and brake lights are working fine, but I'd like to got it sorted.

Oh, forgot that the side stand cutout doesn't work - no biggie, but it won't re=start in gear with the clutch level in either, which is a pain.

Any help appreciated.

Hi Mick
Have had a couple ok Ks also and I agree with Tim that the fuel consumption figures sound about right from my experience also.
Regarding bulb warning light on your dash. In my case, with the same problem, I replaced the bulb monitor relay under and to the rear of the petrol tank. Good luck.
_________________
Bikes in garage
K1100RS 1994
K1600GT 2012
650 GS 2003
1500 Goldwing 1995
750 Norton Commando 1972

BMW_Mick · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 6:19 am Post subject:

Thanks for the help and suggestions guys, appreciate it.

It looks like its the it's likely to be the bulb monitor relay, I've checked everything else.

Bit narked about the fuel consumption, I had the K1200LT and got better from that than I do the 11! Oh well, and least this one handles better!

mike toon · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:07 pm Post subject:

My light comes on at 180 miles and I've gone 205 miles several times. I even carried an extra gallon around town trying to run it dry. I gave up at 215 miles because we were going camping. My hot rod and ticket days are just about over so that helps.
_________________
Current Bikes
1993 K1100LT
1976 GL1000 Naked
1981 GL1100 Naked
2000 DR650 Dual Sport

tmoons · Flying Brick Rider Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Posts: 161

I think aiming for 185 to get the warning light on is a good start.
I have had some random problems with mine… which in the end turned out to be a faulty oxygen sensor, that was replaced with a wrong replacement.

I now have done 178 miles, and have not had the light go on. (the sensor was replaced with a original replacement last Saturday and I have only done about 80 miles with it.)

If you know how to check the motronic, do so. If you find any error messages, just get back here and we’ll help you from there.

If you do not have an exhaust sensor, get the CO-level checked and possible adjusted.

Also check thinks like:
Tire pressure,
Sparkplugs
Throttle body clean-ness
Airfilter etc.

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:04 am Post subject:

A couple of other things:

Try disonnecting the tail light onnector(black onnector with tail light reoved) and cleaning the contacts.

The fuel pump is submerged. When you run low it runs warmer. Running it low a lot will eventuallly shorten the life of the $300 fuel pump. My general rule of thumb is to fill up when the light comes on. That prolongs fuel pump life and you don't have to watch the stupid low fuel lamp.

What''s your actual mileage? Depending upon how you ride low 40s-45 mph is normal on an LT. Rding really hard it can dip below 40.

Clutch switch: Try removing the clutch lever and spraying some WD-40 into the switch and working the switch a few times. Might work or might not but it doesn't hurt to try. Also clean/reseat the connector under the tank.
_________________
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

RobWheatley · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:20 pm Post subject:

Hi
As far a fuel goes, I just about scrape 140 miles before the light comes on with my LT, used to get 190+ on my RS but that didnt have a barn door for a fairing Smile

I think that a tune is in order but cant see it getting that much better.
Rob
_________________
1999 K1100LTIC Smooth and Quiet Smile

Cruise, BFD & HID
1996 K1100RS. dead but not forgotten.

tmoons · Flying Brick Rider Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Posts: 161

well a general clean up (pipes, vents, filters, bodies) is always a good thing.
gets the bike in a better state of operation... Smile

just as a tip, get those brass screws out and look at the dirt on them!

Jim · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:52 pm Post subject: fuel consumption

You can adjust the fuel gauge sending unit float rod by bending it. I've run out of gas twice - at 239 miles and 240 miles - both cross country trips and pulling the Uni-go - traveling a fair bit above the posted limit. It's easy enough to figure out what your actual consumption is.
_________________
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."

superchicken · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 8:28 pm Post subject: fuel consumption

Fuel mileage varies that is IF you are riding in the cooler winter months the bike never really warms up. This time of the year (March and April) the bike gives me low 40's.
I have had this one get over 53mpg! Ahhh YES its hard to keep the right hand steady.. bike wants to run at 80 all day.
_________________
Tim Lindstrom, ab0ts
1995 K 1100 RS
Columbia Heights, MN

Jim · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:45 pm Post subject: Re: fuel consumption

carp · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:04 pm Post subject:

I just got my bike last fall. It was running rich. My header was cracked where it went into the muffler so I had it welded. Seemed to run a bit leaner. It also cut down on vibration.