K11 Owners Group

ChrisWeeK1100RS

Hey guys,

Something weird has happened and I was wondering if any of you have experienced this: the yellow thumb switch on the left side of the handlebar which controls the high beam (push up) and 'flash/pass' (jab down) has gone - sorry to use a highly technical term here - wonky.

Coming off the high-beam, sometimes the regular light does not come back on, and it's the same way if I use the flash/pass function. I have to 'jiggle' the switch to get the regular light to come back on. And sometimes if i just touch that switch, the main light goes off...

My mech says that this is a known problem with K's and suggested I spray in a bit of WD-40 which should help with the connection, but that didn't work either...

The light switch on the right side is working fine though. Any ideas?

Thanks guys!
Chris
_________________
"Ride hard or stay home..."
'93 BMW K1100RS
Mileage: 37,000km-ish
Malaysia

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:04 pm Post subject:

37k is a little early for that siwtch to go out - unless it's gotten a lot of use.
_________________
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

ChrisWeeK1100RS · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:12 pm Post subject:

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:19 pm Post subject:

If you're very careful you can take it apart and clean the contacts. Take it off of the bike and do it on a table. (Or in a shoebox so little parts don't run away.)
_________________
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

Mystic Red · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:26 pm Post subject:

I reconditioned mine 15K ago and still good. TAKE APART IN BAG! Springs will go everywhere. I'll see if I can find the manual.
Here ya go, Chris:

http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech/headlight-switch.shtml
_________________
Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

ChrisWeeK1100RS · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:53 pm Post subject:

Hey thanks guys! I've checked out the link, sounds a bit complicated but I think I have the tools necessary, will try to give it a shot tonight Smile

By the way, what does (BTDT-WDIA) mean? '(BTDT)' was used a lot in that linked article...

Cheers!
Chris
_________________
"Ride hard or stay home..."
'93 BMW K1100RS
Mileage: 37,000km-ish
Malaysia

Saltcreek · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:54 pm Post subject:

Chris, my switch failed @ 33,000 miles. I took it apart after installing a switch Scott_Anderson gave me but I never got it to work right. I think Drake has some switches and a new one is a little over $100.
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold Sad

2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:56 pm Post subject:

BTDT = Been there, done that.
_________________
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

ChrisWeeK1100RS · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:00 pm Post subject:

ChrisWeeK1100RS · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:02 pm Post subject:

Mystic Red · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:12 pm Post subject:

Chris, try cleaning yours up before you bale on it. Contacts are probably corroded. Put it back together with dietetic grease so it won't corrode again.
_________________
Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

Saltcreek · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:14 pm Post subject:

I believe it is the whole left hand combination switch, wire and plug.

Sorry, it's $157.81
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold Sad

2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium

Phil Marvin · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 1:58 am Post subject:

Hi, Chris,
Jim Davis at Eastern Beaver (I don't know his address, but someone on this list will) sells a relay kit which will give you more light and protect your light switch. I would add his relay kit after you repair or replace your current switch.
_________________
Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

hirschhs · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 3:43 am Post subject:

http://www.easternbeaver.com/

Some great stuff there.
_________________
Cheers, Steve H _______________________________________
K-less in Bucks
2001 ST1100A

1994 Yamaha 600 Diversion 'Hers'
2006 Kawasaki Z750s 'Hers'