Relay Question

[Bill Conquest]

Can anyone help me i.d. a relay under the tank - I can.t figure out what it does & am having a headlight problem. There are 3 relays, front to back the 1st is starter, #2(going towards the back) is the headlight (both 5 prong), #3 is a 4 prong w/ a 8 digit #: bmw 1 243 560 3. I called Bob's BMW & they didn't know what it was. Anyway, the problem is w/ the ignition on the parking light comes on but no low beam. The high beam in the switched position(up) doesn't work but the high flasher(down) does work. It's not the switch( replaced) or the bulb(tried a new one).Any ideas? thanks, Bill Conquest

[Bill Conquest]

Oh, forgot, it's a '79 r65! Thanks B Conquest

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I don't have much, but first, here is a photo to help your explaination.



I think it is the "relay for turn indicator buzzer".  I am not sure, because my schematic and key only show a total of 3 relays: starter, t.s. buzzer and turn signals (the last being located in the right side box with the fuses).

See if you can get some of the wires' color codes going to the relay.

[Bill Conquest]

Hey Rob - Thanks for the picture,that's what mine looks like.The relay for the buzzer makes sense - I have the buzzer unplugged but will check it tomorrow. Any idea about how to tackle the headlight problem? Thanks, Bill Conquest

[Justin B.]

Look at the schematic and see what circuit differences there are between the flash postion and the high-beam position and use a meter to race out the high beam on portion to see where the electrons "get lost".  

[Chris_in_BC]

Anyway, the problem is w/ the ignition on the parking light comes on but no low beam. The high beam in the switched position(up) doesn't work but the high flasher(down) does work. It's not the switch( replaced) or the bulb(tried a new one).

Bill,
You say you replaced the switch ..is that high beam/flasher switch or the ignition switch?
And although new, both beams on the headlight tested good? (direct connect to the battery with bulb)

If you changed the ignition switch are you sure the wires are on the correct terminals?
RED power on 30, grey parking light on 58, green on 15 and yellow + green/red on 56.
There is a permanently live terminal in the middle of the switch that should be blank.

Chris
 

[msbuck]

If the high beam works with the flasher, but not through the switch it is probably the relay.  The "flash to pass" is wired directly to the headlight while the switch for High/Low beams goes through the relay.  Try swapping out your headlight relay and see if it solves your problem.

[Bill Conquest]

Thanks for the ideas - it was the light/flasher switch I replaced & I tried a new bulb w/ same results, but will test the old bulb anyway. I also have a new headlight relay on order, I replaced this one not too long ago, how long should they last & would they corrode quickly in this environment(kauai)? Thanks, Bill Conquest

[Chris_in_BC]

Can anyone help me i.d. a relay under the tank  #3 is a 4 prong w/ a 8 digit #: bmw 1 243 560 3.

Looking up Max BMW catalog that relay is the buzzer relay and part number is
 61 31 1 373 916            relay - Up to 08/1979   replacement cost $10
although don't think it is affecting anything by not being connected. I pulled mine off the RS as soon as I got the bike.
I wonder if BMW used an 8 digit number back in 1979? Anyway the Max BMW number is also the same used on the BMW ETK file.
And just to check you should have   61 31 1 373 585            relay  (YELLOW)  for Headlight
                                                           61 36 1 389 105         relay for starter
My last replacement headlight relay was yellow, although earlier ones were black. Why the change, no idea.

Chris

[Chris_in_BC]

I replaced this one not too long ago, how long should they last & would they corrode quickly in this environment(kauai)?

I think in your constant warm temperatures and permanent sunshine they wouldn't last more than a few months compared to  our constant rain and freezing temperatures where they only last 20 years.  

Seriously, like any electrical part, think they just fail at random.  Could you remove the headlight relay.
Turn on ignition.
Green  at 30 should be live with ignition on. Use a test light to earth

 Now jumper the 30 (green + something) and 87A (yellow) terminals with a piece of wire.
You should get headlight, low or high depending on handlebar switch.

If you do, it is the relay. If you don't we are still looking.  :-/

Chris

[Bob_Roller]

I'm not sure what the relay costs from a BMW parts source, but you may want to try NAPA (No Auto Parts Available) most of the relays on the R65 are common european auto parts, so you can get them cheaper than some of the prices that BMW charges.

[Bill Conquest]

Thanks for the suggestions, yah, we pay a heavy price to live here!  Got the parts from Bob's, the starter relay is yellow # 61 36 1389 105, but the headlight is green # 61 36 8 373 700, are these o.k ? Will try the test you suggested, chris, & let you know. Also, i'll try napa parts & see if I can save a few $ - thanks Bob! Aloha, bill conquest

[Chris_in_BC]

OK I agree with the starter relay. Seems to match numbers for everywhere I looked.

I think you should be OK with headlight relay from Bobs. I really couldn't find a definitive answer. Several sites mention a relay for 'Day light on use' but I really don't know if this is for our North American 'always on' lights or something else.

I see mention of a relay for Headlights for 1974-78 - 61 32 1 358 193
                                                                 for R65-R80 - R100RT (no year range) for 61 -32 1 244 411

So go with Bob's , Theoretically, they have an up to date part numbers in front of them, which is more than I can find.   :-/

Keep working at it.

[Bob_Roller]

Part numbers may not match,the only sure way to tell ,is by the numbers next to the 'pins' on the relay case, make sure they are the same.

[Bill Conquest]

I'm still scratching my head regarding this relay/headlight problem. I tried the test you suggested, Chris, & when I jumpered the 2 terminals( 30 & 87a) the headlight works, but the new relay doesn't. I ended up putting an old  4 prong relay that came w/ the bike, same as the one thats in there & doesn't work, & the lights work(it's a 4 prong, says bmw 1 243 560 3,prong #'s 30,87a, 85,86, + where # 5 would be - 87). Bob's couldn't i.d. this relay & sent me the green one which has same prong #s except middle one is 87 not 87a. Can anyone make sense of this? Maybe i'll just drive around withe the jumper wire & call it a day! Thanks, Bill Conquest