Are They Blowin' Smoke Up My ***.....

[KMGuy]

The '89 K100RS I bought the other day was at a non-BMW dealer(They do own a Beemer lot across town though) and the next day I was having some ABS fault issues, that's been dealt with, and the temp gauge was bouncing on the red at a stop but would pull down to mid-range on the highway and run mid to 3/4 on city streets. They agreed to take care of it and today they did a fluid service on her. The fan does work BTW. The Beemer mech said that the temp gauge worked like that, it was a flakey design and would be no problem. That seems odd to me but I don't truly know. I'm wondering if they're shining me on and it might need a thermostat or if they're being legit about it. Thoughts??

[Tiny97]

My temp gauge doesn't bounce around at all it will slowly creep up towards the red at stops till the fan kicks on. My fuel gauge will bounce around a bit at stops but generally reads correct at speed though when it gets low it starts to bounce more and may even read empty. My assumption is either bad sending unit or corrosion on a connection somewhere. Its on my list of gremlins to chase down but not highest right at the moment. Mines a 97 k1100 hope this helps.

[KMGuy]

My temp gauge doesn't bounce around at all it will slowly creep up towards the red at stops till the fan kicks on. My fuel gauge will bounce around a bit at stops but generally reads correct at speed though when it gets low it starts to bounce more and may even read empty. My assumption is either bad sending unit or corrosion on a connection somewhere. Its on my list of gremlins to chase down but not highest right at the moment. Mines a 97 k1100 hope this helps.

It does, I guess when I said "Bounce" I meant touching on it and then the fan kicks on as you described, thanks!!

[beachcomber]

Electrics on ALL the Kays need TLC. Favourite to go go awol are the connectors into [ under ] the instrument pod and the ECU connections. That brings all sorts of weirdness to the gauges !

The first thing I do with a new to me Kay [ I've had 15 ] is to remove said connectors and give them a good dousing with switch cleaner. I have yet to get a bike and find NO corrosion at all, however mild - running all the way up to encrusted green crud. :eek:

[johnny]

greetings kmguy...

what you described is generally typically normal...

j o

[rbm]

+1 Beachcomber.  The additional instruments connector under the tank and connectors to each instrument are prone to corrosion being AMP open housing designs.  The flakey gauge behaviour is attributed to poor connections and can benefit from a good cleaning with contact cleaner (I recommend Deoxit).

[Finnigan]

My temp gauge has always been VERY steady. Where are you located?