Help me troubleshoot this heated grip on an '09 GSA

[Bugman98]

Howdy Folks! I have a 2009 R1200GSA with about 30K miles. The left hand heated grip has stopped working, but the right/throttle grip still has plenty of heat. I got out my multimeter, carefully removed the handgrip and got some readings...that have left me scratching my head! I hope someone here can give me some good advice.
Here's what I've figured out so far:
1. The left/faulty heating element has continuity between the black and brown wires. I take this to mean that the thin flat wire in the heating element is not broken anywhere, nor can I see any part of the heating element that appears to be cracked, damaged, or broken.
2. The faulty heating element does get 14v of power, just like the other grip that works. I tested this with multimeter and with a test lamp.
3. The faulty heating element has the same ohm resistance and amp draw as the functional heated grip when the heat switch is on.

If the faulty heating element has (what appear to be) the same readings as the functional element, why the heck isn't it working?!?!!?

Thank you for any tips or suggestions!

Bugman
Norman, OK

 

[PGlaves]

I suspect that the ground end of the ground wire is poorly connected or not connected. Do you have continuity between that wire at the grip and a good frame bolt or battery ground?

 

[Bugman98]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for weighing in here. I have enjoyed reading all of your comments over the years. I consider you to be an expert! Unfortunately, I seem to have a good ground for the grip. I have continuity between the ground (brown wire) at the grip and any other place on the frame and/or negative battery terminal.

At this point I'm thinking that the heating element has to be bad. But if it is faulty, likely with a microscopic break in the heating wire, why do I still have continuity between the wires?

 

[pauls1150]

If it has a teeny crack, the squeeze of the grip itself against the handlebar may force it apart (or even back together, if the world was ideal).
You may need a digital ohmmeter with an extra decimal place or two, since the observed resistance is low.
I'd also wonder about a possible partial short (somewhere along the element) to ground when it's installed, and the connection of the supply wires to the element.

- anudder paul

 

[Bugman98]

All of this testing helped me realize that my cheap-o multimeter wasn't giving me accurate results. I bought a better one and sure enough there is not continuity in the faulty heated grip element. After carefully inspecting the heating element with a magnifying glass I was able to identify a slice or break in the wire. There doesn't look to be any way to fix it, even with solder, so I guess I'm shopping for new heated grips now.
Thank you for the help Pauls!

Bugman

 

[pauls1150]

Glad to be of help! Might you be able to bridge the gap with a piece of wire or brass shim stock?
ps