1200GS instrument cluster - LCD problem

[michaeltharme]

Got a weird problem.
2005 BMW 1200GS.
The LCD display on the instrument cluster has faded to nothing.
If the sun is shinning in the right direction, I can just make out the display.
I've got a Uniden 5w handheld UHF radio attached to the Autocom and a PTT button. When the radio is switched on and I press the PTT button, the LCD screen illuminates.
The LCD also illuminates if I take the UHF off the bike (disconnect from the Autocom) and use it close to the LCD screen. I doesn't happen if I walk away a few meters.
My mechanic at BMW is scratching his head!!!

Any suggestions?

[IanJ]

Greetings Michael

Did the display fail suddenly or did it slowly fade away?

A possible explanation might be that the LCD back light is not working properly. Some types of LCD back lights (e.g electroluminescent panel) use a voltage inverter circuit to generate higher voltages required to make the back light function.

It's possible that when the UHF is transmitting the radiated energy is able to "trigger" the oscillator circuit that drives the inverter back into life and you have a working LCD display. A 5 watt UHF set will easily cause electronic equipment to malfunction when used nearby.

The original faulty inverter circuit might be caused by bad earth or signal connection (somewhere).

You may be lucky and find an electrical connector somewhere on the bike is corroded or not connected properly (and this could be anywhere along wiring loom, but in this case I think it's more likely to be an internal connection inside the instrument cluster and that would involve taking the instrument cluster apart with no guarantee of finding an obvious problem.

I'm guessing that BMW will say that the instrument cluster will need to be replaced rather than repaired.

Please use the appropriate grain of salt on my comments

Good Luck

Ian J

[michaeltharme]

Thanks Ian.
The display suddenly failed.
I'll be seeing the mechanic tomorrow, let you know the outcome.
Cheers
Mick

[michaeltharme]

Couldn't find the problem.
Installed another dash and it worked.
So it appears wiring is not the problem.
Found a second hand one and it's getting installed today.
Bonus is; 340km on the clock - I have a new bike . . . .

Cheers
Mick

[BC Brockway]

2005 R1200GS display panel started facing last week and can barely read info during the day. Every few minutes the display flashes an engine icon as if there is a warning. But its brief, only a second or two. And no engine delays or sputters.

Looked for info online but only found a couple of postes.

More info... couple years ago the display started having trouble tracking which gear bike the was in. Seems to be at higher RPM. Square that displays number goes blank as I accelerate and gear up. Usually disappears around 2nd or 3rd gear. When I gear down and stop at an intersection the display seems to figure out it's in first gear. Does the same when accelerating and going thru gears. Not sure if they're related.

Any suggestions?