The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: neillh on March 25, 2015, 08:46:18 PM

Title: R65 electrical issues
Post by: neillh on March 25, 2015, 08:46:18 PM
Hey chaps,
I got an 82 R65 recently and am trying to solve some electrical issues to get it registered.
Bike starts and runs fine. the issue is with the lights/controls.
The indicators/hazard lights only work when the highbeams are 'flashed' on (not switched on).
While they are flashed on, the brake light works, but not rear parking light.
I've tested the flasher relay and works fine, and the secondary indicator relay which I'm unsure on its function is click on and off.

With the rear brake light globe out the inductors function as normal.
I've pulled the main earth off the bike off and cleaned up the corrosion of it and its mounting point.
Next is to pull back all the insulation everywhere and try find a short/broken wire but nothing visible at this point.

Any ideas or similar cases?
Title: Re: R65 electrical issues
Post by: Justin B. on March 25, 2015, 08:51:10 PM
Sure sounds like a bad ground somewhere.  Run a ground wire between the frame and the steering-head and see what happens.
Title: Re: R65 electrical issues
Post by: Bob_Roller on March 25, 2015, 09:21:53 PM
Has the previous owner(s) , altered the wiring harness ???
The main earthing point, are you referring to the negative cable from the battery ???
There is an earthing point for all of the bikes circuits , should be by the voltage regulator area, all the brown wires are ganged together at this point, check this for corrosion  and security as well .
Title: Re: R65 electrical issues
Post by: neillh on March 25, 2015, 09:24:02 PM
I have earthed the main loom earths back to battery with no luck.
Will try between frame and steering tonight.

The bike has  a couple of wires that have been tinkered with. but have inspected all and cleaned up.
So far not the cause
Title: Re: R65 electrical issues
Post by: Tony Smith on March 25, 2015, 09:47:51 PM
I suspect, solely on the basis of having had a similar problem, that either the ignition switch is faulty or has been mis-wired.

Should look like this:-

Title: Re: R65 electrical issues
Post by: Bob_Roller on March 26, 2015, 10:12:44 AM
If by chance you find the connector with the green and black wires on the switch, it doesn't belong there .
It's for additional instruments, voltmeter and clock .
Title: Re: R65 electrical issues
Post by: neillh on March 26, 2015, 05:12:21 PM
Found the issue.
Thanks for the input guys,.
As suspected I had some earthing issues. While trying to fix this the bike stopped being able to start.
The earth from the ignition module was so corroded where it met the plug to the loom that there was no continuity.
Then I found the 2 old style fuses under the rear of the main frame had the same issue. This fixed all the lights.

I'm going to need to pull apart every connector and replace.
Title: Re: R65 electrical issues
Post by: neillh on March 26, 2015, 05:13:48 PM
Hey Tony,
Looking at my ignition switch last night I only have 3 wires going to it, not the 4 showing in your picture.
I'll look at the wiring diagram and try figure out whats missing however, not the root of my issues it seems.

Quote
I suspect, solely on the basis of having had a similar problem, that either the ignition switch is faulty or has been mis-wired.

Should look like this:-