Your video is super helpful Thanks for posting. My new to me 2015 GSA 1200 is missing the horn button. Looks like the previous owner dropped it and somehow the impact broke the thumb switch for the horn...no other damage, and the horn works. Locating a replacement is a drag on ebay so OEM appears to be the only option...double the price you mention for your 2018 replacement. Ouch!

@AdamChandler86

Жыл бұрын

Hi Greg, I’m glad it was helpful. I’m really sorry about the price. I think sadly most states are going to require a working horn (and button). wish it were a bit cheaper.

Hello Adam, welcome back. 2 months after I purchased my new 2014 GSA the control switch started acting up while riding in Central America. The switches would get stuck and sticky so I used my trusty WD40 and sprayed them. Never had a problem since then (110,000 miles later) and believe me like you I don't clean my bike as I should! Looking at the new BMW switches I believe that BMW has improved on the quality/material they use. Happy Thanksgiving.

@AdamChandler86

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! good tip for others too before they spend money. My control switch started acting up about 3 years ago and it's gotten worse until it only works half of the time. I hav just ran out of patience but agree with others, there are some tips to try before a full replacement.

very helpful video. Thank you

@AdamChandler86

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

thanks for the vid. Saved me 350€ of parts and manhours.

@AdamChandler86

5 ай бұрын

Wow, that's awesome!

Just spray contact cleaner into the switch buttons, mine often has this issue after a few rides in the rain. Put a cloth under the switch to soak the dripping. Works for me everytime the buttons starts jamming up and stop working

@AdamChandler86

Жыл бұрын

I tried that but the button itself was mechanically getting stuck and jammed. The menu button would depress and then not bounce back at all.

Nice video. I lost my Cruise Control switch (On/Off on top) and I can't find it to buy. Looks like they sell it only as a set. If I hold it, and press the other button, it works. Not sure it's worth to buy the whole thing just for it.

@AdamChandler86

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, if you can get by without buying the whole thing, I’d hold out as long as you can but yep, it’s all one assembly. No piece-meaning the switches.

@franckmalers2299

5 ай бұрын

I don't know why YT do not post my comment. HAd the very same issue. Found the part on aliexpress for about 35€. Just finished putting it back in. saved me 300€ for the controller + manhours.

@drilonicus

5 ай бұрын

@@franckmalers2299I just did the same thing few weeks ago.

@adv_addict

2 ай бұрын

@@franckmalers2299 I broke the same switch on my bike and I bought the aliexpress switch. Do you know if we have to completely remove the assembly from the handle bar like this video or there is a way to unscrew the inner screw through the handle bar hole? I see there is a hole on the handle bar in this video.

@franckmalers2299

2 ай бұрын

@@adv_addict unfortunately, you indeed have to disassemble everything like in the video to get to the inner screw. although I realize the way in the video isn't optimized, you still have to disassemble because the cables aren't long enough to pull out the commands from the handlebar.

I have a low mileage 2021 F850GS that I bought new from the dealer. I’ve never taken it off road. The issue I have is that the horn seems to get stuck on for 2-3 seconds even when I just quickly tap the horn button. This malfunction happens randomly. And this malfunction occurs with both the OEM horn & wiring - as well as a Denali Soundbomb horn (for which I had to add a CAN controller, yadda yadda). The only thing I can figure is that the horn button on the left control switch has an intermittent problem. I’m to the point where I think I’m going to change the control switch assembly like you did. Any thoughts or suggestions you might have would be greatly appreciated before I dig into this? Thanks for putting together this video. I’ve started taking this apart and am having a tough time.

@AdamChandler86

Жыл бұрын

Ugh. that's tough. It is probably the horn switch. there's no easy way to diagnose it without taking everything apart. Sounds like you're not under warranty anymore. since you can't really repair the horn switch, you could buy a new housing and see if that fixes it. Be super careful to not scratch it up because if you install the new one and that doesn't fix it, you can return it.

@BrokenToeKnee

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the quick reply. I appreciate the input. At this point, I’m going to replace the control switch assembly like you did, as I don’t know of anything else it could be. Unfortunately, my assembly costs 600 bucks. Because of the cost, the brutal temperatures we’re experiencing here in the Houston area (my garage is my workshop) and having my hands full with a bunch of other tasks, it’ll probably be a month or two before I can get to this. I’ll reply to this post and let you know how it goes once I’m done.

@BrokenToeKnee

11 ай бұрын

Well, here's the story so far - I got it pulled apart. The horn still "sticks" even when I tap only the orange button. I peeled up the orange rubber and blew some canned air into the "weep" holes. Still have the problem. Now, I'm trying to decide if I should blow WD-40 into the "weep" holes. On the bright side, your video made disassembly a snap. Many thanks!

@BrokenToeKnee

11 ай бұрын

I ended up swapping the orange horn button with the right turn orange button. I still get the same random 'sticky' horn issue. So, I'm going to bite the bullet and order a new control assembly. I hope that fixes things. Lastly, I took a photo of the control assembly with a couple of the orange buttons removed, but it seems that KZread won't allow me to attach a link to that photo. I though folks might be interested in what the guts look like.

By any chance did the bad switch stop you from adjusting your seat height ( 1 helmet to 1 helmet with luggage)

@AdamChandler86

Жыл бұрын

Hi Christopher.In my case, it was the menu button that failed or would get stuck. But the suspension button next to it just as well could have failed. they’re identical so I think it comes down to how often you use them.

@christopherkendrick678

Жыл бұрын

@@AdamChandler86 thank you for the quick response. They are really faded any how so I'll replace and go from. Again thank you.

Curious, I thought the Zumo XT negated the use of the wonderwheel?

@AdamChandler86

Жыл бұрын

TFT still requires it to navigate around though. Moving between menus and adjusting settings still requires the wheel.

@bradb2514

Жыл бұрын

Ok, so the pre-TFT GS’s, like mine, have an OEM accessory lead that controlled the wheel and powered that system somehow. That lead gets cut and used to power the XT. It’s a bummer but a known solution for XT upgrades. Seems like with the TFT bikes you can make the upgrade and keep the wheel. Damn you, I’m jealous. 🫤

@AdamChandler86

Жыл бұрын

I DID not know that. hmm. that sucks.

@bradb2514

Жыл бұрын

Indeed.

Muy bueno el video pero en español sería excelente

@AdamChandler86

Жыл бұрын

You have my permission if you would like to copy my video and do a Spanish version translation. You can also submit Spanish captions as a part of KZread community captioning. I would appreciate that very much.

Here is something that would be of GREAT help. In the BMW OWNERS MANUAL it says ''ATTENTION Charging the battery connected to the vehicle using the battery terminals Damage to the motorcycle's electronics. '' I called 3 dealerships and all 3 said the first thing they do is to install a SAE connecter to charge the battery. According to BMW, we are suppose to use the DIN connecter. However everyone I talk to seems to use the SAE connected right to the battery. What is your thought on this and why does BMW say NOT TO charge the battery in the bike from the battery terminals? Thank You!

@AdamChandler86

Жыл бұрын

I agree with you, I’ve seen a lot of folks on forums talk about the issue. I don’t know, you are totally right I won’t dispute that. You’re supposed to use the DIN connector. It’s what BMW says to use but no dealer does and I personally keep using the connections that the dealers added (I plug my tender right into the SAE port) and I use that same SAE Port even after I change to a lithium battery. So now I use lithium compatible chargers plugged right into the batteries. Is it right? Probably not but no issues so far.

@ericjames7680

Жыл бұрын

@@AdamChandler86 Found out this information a bit ago. Seems some chargers can condition a battery and the electric pulse may do harm. Also I have a battery pack for an emergency jump start if needed and it says may cause an lithium battery to explode, just wanted you to be careful if you use a jump pack. Here is what I found out about the reason why BMW does not want you to use a SAE connector, even if just about everyone does and has no problems doing so. Thanks for the reply. Of course you can always attach a charger directly to the battery but BMW instructs you to not do so while the battery is installed in the bike. Why? The reason is that many modern chargers are “smart” and will try to recondition (disulphate) a battery if it decides that the battery needs reconditioning. The desulphation process involves the application of high voltage pulses to the battery and if the battery is connected in the bike then all the bike’s expensive electronics also get exposed to the high voltage pulses as well. So there is some risk of damage involved. BMW isn’t going to try to explain how to determine whether your particular charger has a desulphation capability or not so it just tells you not to charge the battery directly in the bike to mitigate the risk. If you have a smart charger and intend to connect direct to the battery while the battery is in the bike you should read the charger’s manual to see if the desulphation mode can be disabled. I use the Optimate 4 charger in its “CAN-bus mode” (sic) direct to the battery because in that mode high voltage desulphation is deactivated. I can’t be bothered with charging via the accessory port.

@AdamChandler86

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Eric. I appreciate you sharing this and in a comment field to so hopefully others can read it and learn something like I did.

Armorall is your friend to protect from the UV damage.

@AdamChandler86

Жыл бұрын

But it leaves a greasy gross film. To be honest, I just don’t clean my bikes enough. There are ‘plastic protection’ goos I can use and actually own like Chemical Guys Plastic Gel but I honestly don’t care enough to apply them enough to make a difference. I do think the buttons stopped working due to a LOT of use in mud and dusty riding environments and the buttons fading is just going to happen to all of our bikes as they age. But, I think your tip probably will help someone else.

@AdamChandler86

Жыл бұрын

Actually, I bet I could do a light sand to the buttons on heather’s bike and restore the color on the red ones. I’ll experiment on the booking switches I just removed from this bike.