Yammy questions ok??? IK IK

[26667]

I own an F700GS and have owned several other BMWs as well, but I also have an '06 FJR. Nice bike, but I have an electrical issue that the young tech at the local shop here in Ottawa, IL can't sort. The FJR forums' contributors SEEM perhaps maybe not to be as knowledgable as some of this forum's participants. Maybe just coincidence. Or maybe a really weird issue. But with nowhere else to turn I hoped I might pick your brains for some suggestions. And maybe you're enough of a sleuth to enjoy the mystery. TIA and here's what I'd written to them...

I hope I can explain this in a way that's useful and clear. Bear in mind I'm no sort of tech and probably didn't ask the tech at the Yamaha shop enough questions for you to help, but here goes...First, a few weeks ago, I got a new Yamaha battery (BS BT 14B- 4 FA $78.95) installed in this '06 Gen II FJR. After a couple weeks of riding, I (swapped bikes with my buddy out by Tiskilwa, and hopped on his '82 RS!) ...and discovered the old Skene flashing brake lights ( prev' owner) weren't flashing, but instead were on constantly. Then, later that the factory brake lights also weren't working. Took it to the local Yamaha dearship. The brake bulbs were burned out and he replaced. But then found out that they still didn't work as brake lights, but rather seemed to be on as running lights and and only worked as brake lights when the throttle was somewhere faster than idle, and maybe (sorry again) only when in gear and moving. So, he took the Skenes out and replaced the voltage regulator / rectifier (?) which did not solve the problem. ( and ret'd the volt reg' at no charge to me) As I said, I didn't ask all the Q's, and the tech just left for a vacation till next week. He'd "called Yamaha" ( no idea who he spoke to), and they said they were baffled by the phenomenon and could offer no help. I may be able to get more detailed info from another guy at the shop, but OBV any ideas or experience will be appreciated. TIA and ride safe!

 

[Toruk]

Sounds like one of the 2 brake light switches could be bad. When my HD rear brake light switch failed (LOL Some idiot engineer put a switch right next to an exhaust pipe?) it caused my rear brake lights to be constantly ON.

 

[omega man]

Light bulbs can be illuminated, when they are not supposed to be, in a number of ways. A broken filament from another dual filament bulb can break in half and "rest" on the other filament causing something else to be..... sorta jumped across providing voltage in a kind of "backwards" path.
A bad ground(s) can also cause something like this. The voltage is always looking for ground so if it can't find it in the bulb socket, it looks elsewhere. A bulb on the left side of the bike with a bad ground can actually pick up the/a ground on the right side of the bike through another filament. As we know, passing even lower than required voltage through a filament will cause it to glow, even if it's only faintly.
If wiring was "altered" during the installation of the accessory lighting, the lighting module may have gone bad- electronically. If the module took over the ground path, it may be a good place to start.
Not knowing how long the bike has been running with the brake lights on could have burned them out.
Let us know how you make out.
OM

 

[collingsbob]

I own an F700GS and have owned several other BMWs as well, but I also have an '06 FJR. Nice bike, but I have an electrical issue that the young tech at the local shop here in Ottawa, IL can't sort. The FJR forums' contributors SEEM perhaps maybe not to be as knowledgable as some of this forum's participants. Maybe just coincidence. Or maybe a really weird issue. But with nowhere else to turn I hoped I might pick your brains for some suggestions. And maybe you're enough of a sleuth to enjoy the mystery. TIA and here's what I'd written to them...

I hope I can explain this in a way that's useful and clear. Bear in mind I'm no sort of tech and probably didn't ask the tech at the Yamaha shop enough questions for you to help, but here goes...First, a few weeks ago, I got a new Yamaha battery (BS BT 14B- 4 FA $78.95) installed in this '06 Gen II FJR. After a couple weeks of riding, I (swapped bikes with my buddy out by Tiskilwa, and hopped on his '82 RS!) ...and discovered the old Skene flashing brake lights ( prev' owner) weren't flashing, but instead were on constantly. Then, later that the factory brake lights also weren't working. Took it to the local Yamaha dearship. The brake bulbs were burned out and he replaced. But then found out that they still didn't work as brake lights, but rather seemed to be on as running lights and and only worked as brake lights when the throttle was somewhere faster than idle, and maybe (sorry again) only when in gear and moving. So, he took the Skenes out and replaced the voltage regulator / rectifier (?) which did not solve the problem. ( and ret'd the volt reg' at no charge to me) As I said, I didn't ask all the Q's, and the tech just left for a vacation till next week. He'd "called Yamaha" ( no idea who he spoke to), and they said they were baffled by the phenomenon and could offer no help. I may be able to get more detailed info from another guy at the shop, but OBV any ideas or experience will be appreciated. TIA and ride safe!

Have you asked this question on Fjriders.com. ?

 

[52184]

I own an F700GS and have owned several other BMWs as well, but I also have an '06 FJR. Nice bike, but I have an electrical issue that the young tech at the local shop here in Ottawa, IL can't sort. The FJR forums' contributors SEEM perhaps maybe not to be as knowledgable as some of this forum's participants. Maybe just coincidence. Or maybe a really weird issue. But with nowhere else to turn I hoped I might pick your brains for some suggestions. And maybe you're enough of a sleuth to enjoy the mystery. TIA and here's what I'd written to them...

I hope I can explain this in a way that's useful and clear. Bear in mind I'm no sort of tech and probably didn't ask the tech at the Yamaha shop enough questions for you to help, but here goes...First, a few weeks ago, I got a new Yamaha battery (BS BT 14B- 4 FA $78.95) installed in this '06 Gen II FJR. After a couple weeks of riding, I (swapped bikes with my buddy out by Tiskilwa, and hopped on his '82 RS!) ...and discovered the old Skene flashing brake lights ( prev' owner) weren't flashing, but instead were on constantly. Then, later that the factory brake lights also weren't working. Took it to the local Yamaha dearship. The brake bulbs were burned out and he replaced. But then found out that they still didn't work as brake lights, but rather seemed to be on as running lights and and only worked as brake lights when the throttle was somewhere faster than idle, and maybe (sorry again) only when in gear and moving. So, he took the Skenes out and replaced the voltage regulator / rectifier (?) which did not solve the problem. ( and ret'd the volt reg' at no charge to me) As I said, I didn't ask all the Q's, and the tech just left for a vacation till next week. He'd "called Yamaha" ( no idea who he spoke to), and they said they were baffled by the phenomenon and could offer no help. I may be able to get more detailed info from another guy at the shop, but OBV any ideas or experience will be appreciated. TIA and ride safe!

There is a known “ground spider” issue on FJRs that has been discussed at length in the FJR forums and in the LDR community. Have you researched that?

Best,
DeVern

 

[26667]

Have you asked this question on Fjriders.com. ?

yes. a couple guesses that might help; bulb turned 180 degrees, lube and clean the pivot. I'll suggest all these to the tech when he returns. Thanx!

 

[26667]

There is a known “ground spider” issue on FJRs that has been discussed at length in the FJR forums and in the LDR community. Have you researched that?

Best,
DeVern

I was unfamiliar w the term and thought one of the replies who suggested "spider" was just jaggin' me! But I'll look. and Thanx!!

 

[26667]

Have you asked this question on Fjriders.com. ?

Yes, but I'm getting some other ideas here!

 

[26667]

Update ! Stopped by the dealership and sure enough, there's a factory recall on that wiring harness "spider" mentioned above. I bet a dollar that's it. Thanx to all who replied! Ride safe!

 

[DavidEBSmith]

Have them check all the ground spiders while it's apart, and consider doing the cam chain tensioner if it's never been replaced.

You could probably do a Venn diagram of BMW owners and FJR owners with the overlap being LD riding.

 

[collingsbob]

If you are on Facebook you might find local help by joining FJR Canada and asking if there’s anyone close..