K11 Owners Group

Sgt Shultz · Joined: 28 Sep 2013 Posts: 5

Greetings one'n'all,

I am still getting to grips with the idiosyncratic ways of the beast and have put right a lot of the faults that the PO had created. The best one of which was mounting the Meta alarm/immobiliser on the top of the engine where it could get nice and hot. Mmm clever!

The fault I have at the moment is blowing tail & brake bulbs. Since replacing them the last time, I have noticed that all is well up until about 3500 rpm, then the panel warning light & tailight starts to flicker. Above that the warning light comes on fully and below that it goes off. I reckon if I hold it above 3500 rpm, it will blow.

This only happens when the lights are turned on of course. Is there some sort of regulator/rectifier fitted to this model? Anyone any other ideas?

All help gratefully received

Love, light & peace
Martin
_________________
Sgt Shultz
1994 K1100LT

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 7:51 am Post subject:

There is a voltage regulator, but it is integral with the alternator.
Your best bet is to remove the alternator, and have it tested.
The regulator can be replaced, it's just a bosch unit. It will depend on what size alternator you do have though.
You could probably find a decent good used complete alternator on-line for less hassle though, and if you have the smaller 32A, it would be the opertune time to upgrade to the 50A.
_________________
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)

Sgt Shultz · Joined: 28 Sep 2013 Posts: 5

Thanks Scott,

I will certainly do what you suggest. I mght as well just replace with a good 50A unit. There is a guy over here that just breaks K1100's

Regards
Martin
_________________
Sgt Shultz
1994 K1100LT

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2014 7:46 am Post subject:

Just out of curiosity have you connected a voltmeter to see what the voltage is doing while the engine is running?

A 94LT should already have a 50A unit on it.
_________________
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)

Sgt Shultz · Joined: 28 Sep 2013 Posts: 5

Hi Scott,

Sorry it's taken so long to reply. Life gets in the way like that sometimes.

I have managed to solve it and its been a long time since I came across anything like this. I thought I'd double check everything before spending my hard earned.

I took the bulbs out, again, cleaned everything up and put them back. When I switched them on, the tail bulb flickered when I moved it. I found that there was a bad connection where the earth wire joined on to the stop light. I reckon that it must have been either that the wire vibrated more as the engine revs increased and just happened to short out at those revs, or the supply was overloading the connection at those revs.

One of the strangest faults I've encountered!

Anyway remade the connection and all is well. Thanks for your help once again

Regards
Martin
_________________
Sgt Shultz
1994 K1100LT

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 7:41 pm Post subject:

Just a little tid-bit I'll add. When you are replacing lamps, make sure you get lamps that have a nickel/silver colored base, not brass/yellow colored.
The nickel ones seem to work better, maybe a reason that they came that way from BMW......
_________________
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)