Just trying to help out a friend, who´s doing the Panamerica now (and I can only describe the problem with the short description he´s given, may not be enough, but he sounded a bit desperate, so I thought I might give it a try...) Im not even sure what year the bike is, but I´d guess its around 01-02.

They started off from Alaska, have covered over 20.000kms since then, and had now been riding in the Uyuni salt plains for a few days, and after getting to Calama, Chile, they found out in the morning, that the pump won´t start. It will blow a fuse each time they turn on the ignition switch. I believe my friend is a bit like me, in that he knows very little about electronics, and he probably wont have access to the proper tester devices, at least not right now. They suspect, however, that the pump is seized.

The local repairers havent been much of a help, and it looks like he´s now taking the bike to Santiago by truck or something. I dont know, what the rest of the group will do (their plan was to reach Ushuaia in less than 2 weeks, but I guess that´s out of the window now).

I´m not familiar with BMW´s at all, so cannot help him myself. I can ask, if he will be able to supply a bit more description about the problem, but like I said, they will probably have to do with very basic equipment before reaching Santiago.

Im sure it´s been a great trip already, but would probably be even better, if he can get the bike running again, and do the last leg! So any information, suggestions, or anything that they might try, would be highly appreciated.

Also, does anyone know a good BMW mechanic closer to Calama than Santiago?

The pump may have ingested a load of c$^%$^% ...

Check the wire gauze filter on the bottom of the pump .. if that is damaged and letting stuff throught .. or even the wire of the filter through .. Clean it up as best you can then


Make a direct electrical connection to the pump (disconnect the normal wires) .. connect the pumps negative to the battery positive, and teh pumps positive to the battery negative .. teh pump should then run backwards and push the rubbish out at the bottom .. not pump will try to rotate so hold it firmly .. if the pump still won't rotate .. it is dead.

Alternative pumps can be had from EFI cars .. you'd want something of a similar size .. bosh for preference .. any EFI car serviceing mechanics might be able to help.

------------------ Edit - add
Oh ... it may not be the pump at all .. could be a wire with insulation rubbed through .. if you find no rubbish at the pump inlet .. try running the pump directly off the battery .. if that works then your problem is in the wireing..

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Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S

ok, thanks a lot! I put this over to my friend & hope they will be able to sort it out. I´ll let you know, when/if they find out the cause.

Mine did the same in the Middle East, and I had to replace it.

Could just be the electrical connector situated under the right side of the tank - about half way along the line of where your right leg will be. It can get corroded on there so worth checking and cleaning. Failing that the filter could be blocked but this isn't likely to stop the pump compeletely. I have a step by step guide how to change the fuel filter if you want - PM me with an email address and I can send it to you - it's too big to post up here.

Might seem obvious but is he running the right fuse ? It should be a 15 amp (blue) fuse in position 6 . That is number 6 with number 1 being the one nearest you as you open the fuse box standing on the left of the bike and number 10 being the furthest away from you.
Fuse 6 also works with the fuele pump relay which is the 4th relay up from the left side of the bike - as you open the fuse box lid the row at the front count 4 up from nearest you - that's the fuel pump relay.
See attached fusebox layout

Might refer your pal to this thread over on UKGSER just in case it helps :
Fuel pump failure & backpressure - ::. UKGS'er.com .::

Attached Files

1150 Fusebox layout.doc (64.5 KB, 222 views)

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