Relay question

Author
Discussion

tim0409

Original Poster:

4,417 posts

159 months

Friday 22nd March
quotequote all
I’m struggling to trace a fault (will crank but not fire) on my BMW Xcountry and I am slowly working my way through the wiring. I would like to replace the plug on this relay (see below) but I’m struggling to find one - any ideas? I don’t think it relates to the issue I’m having but would like to fix it in any case. I could use spade connectors straight on to the pins but would like to keep in standard if I can.
Thanks



Caddyshack

10,815 posts

206 months

Friday 22nd March
quotequote all
I think you might have more success using a pin extractor to remove the pins, fix the wires by soldering on new ones (if you can’t replace the pins) and then use the plastic housing that you have.


Jazoli

9,101 posts

250 months

Friday 22nd March
quotequote all
Caddyshack said:
I think you might have more success using a pin extractor to remove the pins, fix the wires by soldering on new ones (if you can’t replace the pins) and then use the plastic housing that you have.
Agreed I was typing the same, just depin the connector and re solder/crimp the wires.

tim0409

Original Poster:

4,417 posts

159 months

Friday 22nd March
quotequote all
Many thanks, that’s a good suggestion. The local BMW specialist can’t look at it for 6 weeks so I’m going to be on a steep learning curve learning bike electrical systems!

black-k1

11,927 posts

229 months

Friday 22nd March
quotequote all
Given the wire colouring in the picture make sure you clearly label each one and where it connects before you disconnect. Ideally you'd do 1 pin at a time but there may be limited space for doing that.

gareth_r

5,728 posts

237 months

Friday 22nd March
quotequote all
I don't know if this will help in your search...

Piaggio (Guzzi, Aprilia) also use the LI L5A relay.

Looks like the Mitsuba rc-2208 is an equivalent that is used by Honda.

Bodo

12,375 posts

266 months

Friday 22nd March
quotequote all
tim0409 said:
Many thanks, that’s a good suggestion. The local BMW specialist can’t look at it for 6 weeks so I’m going to be on a steep learning curve learning bike electrical systems!
This looks like standard 6.3mm spade contacts. Yours might look like this


Note the little metal spring on top: this retains the contact in the plug housing. You may reach and unlock them with a small screwdriver.

The good news is: every auto electrician who does 1990s cars will not only be able to replace the contacts in minutes, but they will also have pliers for F-crimps and a box full of replacement contacts too.

tim0409

Original Poster:

4,417 posts

159 months

Friday 22nd March
quotequote all
Thanks Bodo. I’ve just received the wiring diagram from an owner on another forum, and the relay basically turns the headlight off when you are starting the bike. It’s just a standard relay so presumably I could buy another relay with harness and connect that instead of depinning this one?

ETA I’ve just ordered a crimp tool and connectors so will reuse the existing connector and relay. Thanks again for all the helpful posts.

Edited by tim0409 on Friday 22 March 20:39

tivver500

369 posts

270 months

Friday 22nd March
quotequote all
Have a look at this page which could well give you what you need.....

https://www.vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk/c-219-rela...


Biker 1

7,731 posts

119 months

Saturday 23rd March
quotequote all
tivver500 said:
Have a look at this page which could well give you what you need.....

https://www.vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk/c-219-rela...
I've ordered stuff from these guys - very good service would definitely recommend....

tim0409

Original Poster:

4,417 posts

159 months

Saturday 30th March
quotequote all
I managed to repin the existing relay. I spent quite a few more hours tracing the non starting fault, and it was a faulty starter relay that was hanging down behind the engine, having had the wiring badly repaired before. I replaced the relay with a spare and it immediately fired into life, which is a result as my bike has been off the road for a few weeks. Took it for a test run and it’s perfect.

Rewired headlight relay -



Back on the road….


Bodo

12,375 posts

266 months

Saturday 30th March
quotequote all
Nice work, thanks for the follow up!

HairyMaclary

3,667 posts

195 months

Sunday 31st March
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Congratulations and well done. I had an issue with starting and charing on a Piaggio mp3 400 which was down to a fried starter relay wiring. The whole thing caught fire!

Cool looking BMW. I had no idea these existed!