Low fuel indicator not functioning '04 R1100s

[bigDL]

Hello all, I am new here. I purchased a Silver '04 R1100s this past summer. So far I love it, when I got her she had only 4000 mi on the odometer and is in spotless "like new" condition. It's quite different than anything else I have owned, which has been all pre-1974 vintage.

My last bike was a 73 R75 Toaster that I knew every inch of. This modern bike has taken some learnin', maintenance-wise. After getting acquainted with the S this summer there are some issues I want to work on over the cold Michigan winter, the trickiest of which is trying to remedy my non functioning low fuel light. I found out it did not work the first week I owned it (miles from the nearest gas). I gassed up all summer based on mileage (like you do on a vintage bike), but as you all know the MPG on these bikes varies greatly based on the type of riding you do, having a functioning indicator would be a luxury based on my past bikes.

The light is getting power because it flashes briefly at ignition, but fails to indicate as the fuel gets low. I ran some fuel injector cleaner through it a couple times hoping it might "unstick" what ever mechanism is situated inside the tank, but no luck.

Anyone out there ever have a similar problem? Any feedback would be welcome.

[Groceryrun]

I'm not sure if you're familiar with the gas tank.
On the right inside lobe of the gas tank, there is an electrical connection. The connector type looks like a molex with 4 conductors ( could be more or less ). The connection then goes to the bikes wiring harness.
You might be able to see the connector from underneath the gas tank on the right side of the bike . If not , you'll have to lift the gas tank.
Disconnect the molex connector and check for corrosion.

[Groceryrun]

[Groceryrun]

[Mitch1100]

Hope this helps.
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/downloads/R1100S_ENG.pdf

[DSchaffnit]

Anybody willing to share the R1200S manual as pdf?

[bigDL]

Thanks- I'll take a look at that connector once it warms up a little, its deadly cold here right now.

[bradzdotcom]

Originally Posted by bigDL

Thanks- I'll take a look at that connector once it warms up a little, its deadly cold here right now.

ya know, if traction permits, a motorcycle that's been ridden around for....about an hour or two...makes a great radiant heater once it returns to the garage.

"Honey, i'm going to go out and warm up the garage." can mean different things to different people.

[nathanmargolis]

I have a 2004 R1100S and have not had issues with fuel light but do have experience with the mentioned plug and wiring harness that caused a nightmareish gremlin on the fuel pump.

There are three wires at the plub- ground, hot, and fuel level sensor wire. Brown is the ground and think the white and green is hot leaving the other as fuel sensor wire.

My glitch was the plastic puck where wires pass through the plate to fuel pump and fuel sending unit. The plate holds the filter too.

Just a guess- maybe your fuel sensor unit located on the plate is bad? The plate is a sold as a unit and expensive- about $350.

If that is the problem, you probably could splice a new unit into place. Give me a call if would like to use the one that came off my bike. Sensor is good- wiring harness bad.

Frankly, I would just not worry about and sit the odometer for fuel refills.

Nathan
713 831-6163

[nathanmargolis]

The connector we are talking about might be tough to recognize or see with fairings on the bike and you definitely can't pull it out to inspect. The link to the manual that someone posted will show you a diagram of the inside of the plate and you will see the sending unit. It is on page 16.6. You can look at fische from Max BMW on Internet. You might be able to order the sensor from them, too.
How difficult of a job? Any half decent wrench turner can do it but geting the fuel pump out is tricky and can be irritating or as people say-PITA. We can talk you through it if there are problems.

[bigDL]

Not afraid to dig in and wrench, (I took most the bike apart to see where things were when I first got it), but I'm not a fan of messing with things that don't need to be messed with, especially electrical. (My last bike had around a dozen wires in the harness, this is a whole new ballgame for me). I'm also not opposed to spending money to make a bike right but in this case $350 would probably make me ride it as is, I've been riding vintage bikes for years without fuel indicators. I was hopping for an easy fix. I'll let this post roll, see other info surfaces, then I'll borrow a heater and see what I can figure out. Thanks.

[RBMann]

With your low mile bike I would not expect a broken wire or anything else being worn out. However the low mileage could be the cause of a gummed up fuel sensor. Checking the sensor and testing the low fuel lamp would be the first places to look. If you end up needing the fuel pump plate there are three on eBay right now $155-200. Search for- R1100S Petrol Gauge/Fuel pump Mounting Plate.

Good luck.

[Blitz2002]

Having the same issue on my 2002, with 42000 km. Were you able to figure out a solution...?

[Groceryrun]

Sorry for the Jan 9, 2015 diagram link that got moved.
Hope this uploaded photo is better.

[signit98]

I have the problem on my 05 GS, after they replaced the fuel pump (recall) now it's on the second fuel pump in as many months and BMW NA is involved... can't get it fixed.

[brentw1]

the r1200xx 05 gs is a different and seriously unreliable set up,
could be the fuel pump control module lots of them have failing
potting compound which they might have disturbed when they had it out,