Author Topic: Replacing a right or left combination switch  (Read 4771 times)

Offline frankenduck

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Replacing a right or left combination switch
« on: August 11, 2011, 11:21:44 AM »
These are instructions for replacing a right- or left-hand combination switch on a K bike.

1) Remove the gas tank.  On a 4 valve K bike you can get away with just pulling the tank back once it's removed since the fuel lines are long enough.  On a 2 valve K bike, if you're very careful not to drop the tank, then you can replace a combination switch without having to disconnect the fuel lines - this is easier for the right hand switch.

2) Remove the Philips screw holding the combination switch to the clutch or throttle perch.  It's located at the bottom of the face (side facing the rider.)  Be careful removing this screw. If it's never been removed the it can be pretty tight and if you're not careful you can strip the Philips head of the screw.  Therefore you want to use a good screwdriver and apply lots of pressure when breaking it free initially.  Once that screw is removed the combination switch can be removed from it's perch.

3) Follow the routing of the wiring and cut all of the zip-ties along it's path.  Often you might find one of the special BMW fancy zip-ties holding it to the frame near the steering head.  Be careful opening that as many times the little arrow shaped thing can break off.  If it does then just cut the rest of it off and replace it with a normal zip-tie.

4) When you find the end of it where it's connected to the main wiring harness pull back the plastic boot (usually old and hardened a bit) and you'll see the two locking tabs on the sides of the connector.  Sometimes these can be opened by hand but sometimes a small screwdriver is helpful for breaking them free.

5) Noting the path of the wiring, extract the old switch and it's wiring.  Given their routing and all of the other wires and cables this can be a tight squeeze but just be patient and you can get it out.

6) Install the replacement switch following the same routing, zip-tie it along it's route and then install it on the perch and put the screw back it to hold it in place.

7) Double-check that the wiring isn't interfering with the steering before you ride the bike.
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