[fanz235]

Actually, the little parking lamp bulb is on when I start the bike. Before I start the bike, after ignition (key) is switched on, the headlamp low beam is on. I start the bike, headlamp low beam goes off, and the little parking lamp bulb at very front of headlight housing is lit while bike is running. I turn the key to off position, the low beam cuts on and stays on, even when key is completely removed. I did have a very weak, low battery-before this, so when I tried to start bike it turned over a coupla times then seemed to stick after another half turn of the crank. I have since read on this forum about the sticking starter relay on k1200lt's when the battery is weak. Apparently this is what occured; sure do wish I had disconnected the ground terminal RIGHT AFTER this occured. Battery wouldn't take a charge from 2 amp charger the next day, so I got a new Odyssy PC 680 through mail order. Got the starter relay unstuck, but now the headlight malady. After reading several posts on this forum, I believe it's 1) bad load shedding relay 2) faulty ignition switch, or 3) bad headlight relay.
I downloaded the BMW K1200lt service manual from a website, is the load shedding relay listed as "relief relay" in the BMW service manual? Should I replace the starter relay to minimize the likelyhood of it sticking again? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Dick]

Jerry, the gurus who will be on here shortly would like to know the model year of your LT. Hope they get your situation fixed with minimum fuss and stress. Stay tuned.

 

[fanz235]

2002 K1200lt

 

[jzeiler]

There is no headlight relay (other than the load shed relay which removes power with the key on) so on this one I have to say bad ignition switch. Unless some one has done some modifications from stock.

 

[fanz235]

Hooked up the battery ground terminal a while ago; heard two beeps meaning the factory bike alarm was activated. I turned alarm off from key fob. Started up the bike, small "park lamp" bulb was lit, no low beam though. Went for brief ride around the neighborhood, got back and shut the bike off. Now, no low beam function at all, high beam works correctly, activated from left handlebar switch. So . . . . turn the ignition on, parking bulb in front headlight comes on and stays on after bike is started, no low beam comes on at any time. When bike is off and key is turned off, parking lamp turns off as well; it does come on when key is turned all the way counterclockwise to "parking lamp" position. Maybe it's not the load shedding relay; could be headlight relay needs replacement. Am looking to have correct parts on hand before I dismantle bike to get to the relays. At least can ride during the day now, with high beam switched on.

 

[jzeiler]

OK now you have NO low beam at all? Then I would replace the burned out bulb. If the bulb is not burned out then look at the brown wires at the lamp connector for corrosion. They are known to degrade over time.

 

[fanz235]

Posted my previous reply before I saw izieller's post. Thought I saw headlamp relay listed in the BMW manual, maybe this is for earlier year bike than I have. When I downloaded the service manual, it said 99-2003 I believe. In the front pages looks like it was published in 99, so I may not have correct info.

 

[fanz235]

Will check the bulb and wiring connections next. Thanks for the help.
Also, no mods to the bike other than Ohlins shocks & springs front and rear, and the bike came with PIAA lights attached to lower fork legs. 2002 model, I purchased it in Dec. 2008.

 

[blueknightga6]

When I replaced my battery I had the same thing happen. Have you replaced your battery? I had missed putting a terminal back on the battery. The previous owner had installed an HID headlight and I suspected the unconnected or misconnected wire went to a relay for the HID. The "little" bulb will be it when the bike is in "P" park and when running. You never know......

 

[sheldan2]

You have a relay under your tank that is bad. It happened to me and took a while to run the wiring from the headlight to the relay to check everything. I bought a replacement from auto zone, the dealer wanted $40 and autozone was $12.

 

[Randy]

If it has stock incandescent lighting...

The high and low beams both are powered through the load shed relay, so like John said, it will likely be either a burned out bulb or bad ground connections in the headlight. An easy thing to remember is that ground on a BMW is always solid brown.

 

[Jriverside]

is the load shedding relay listed as "relief relay? just checking .Thanks Jim

 

[sheldan2]

There is a couple of relays in there that are the same, it is one of those.

 

[jzeiler]

Load shed and relief are one in the same but it interupts heavy loads during starting. Head lights and most accessories wired to a switched load will also be off if that is malfunctioning. One side of that relay has 12v on it and the other side is a ground through the starter. When you hit the starter then both side of the relay get 12v and the relay opens until the starter stops moving and provides the ground again closing the relief relay contacts.