'08 GS starter relay'08

bettlejuice

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Got to get round and fix my starter problems which i suspect is the relay as i have checked the starter connected directly to a car battery, it spins up fine.
So the Haynes manual and pretty much every other reference says the starter really is under the tool box. But with the '08 model with ESA there ain't no space under the tool box for nothing, its filled up with the ESA black box on one side and the spring itself on the other.

So where does the starter relay hide, under the tank?

Anybody had any experience with this?
 
i may be wrong but i dont think there is a relay on an 08.
try putting your vin number into realoem and see if it lists one.
 
Isn't this integral to the starter motor assembly? I had an issue on an 08 GS last year, battery flattening intermittently, which was linked to the starter solenoid.....starter changed under warranty.......
 
bettlejuice said:
How can that be , no relay, i mean how is the starter motor actuated ....the handlebar switch would no way carry the current.
Click to expand...

starters have a solenoid which throws the gear in to turn the engine and makes the main contacts for the supply to the starter motor
its possible there is no relay on the 08 bike but i dont know, best bet is to follow the solenoid trigger wire back from the starter and see where it goes, if there is a relay it will end up there!
 
Tracking down the starter relay

Well when i depress the starter button i get a clear click sound (what i would normally take to be the relay) , the sound emanates from under the fuel tank. Could it be that BMW relocated their when the ESA took all the space under the fuel tank.

Anyway the suggestion of trying to trace the wiring back from the starter motor to the relay is great but not really practical giving all the gubbins in the way and bound up cabling

Any other experience greatly welcome

betteljuice
 
Looking at the starter, does it look like 2 cylinders one on top of the other? If so the top part is the starter solenoid. The top part will have 2 cables going to it. A thick red one which goes to the battery and a small one which the manual calls the starter signal. This either goes to the start button or more likely into the ZF unit and then to the start button. The bottom of the solenoid has a braided cable going to the starter itself. As said before this is how a car starter works and is how my 09 works as well. If your starter has the 2 parts to it as well then its how yours works too.


Edit:

just checked the 08-09 wiring diagram and the starter button does go into the ZF unit then back out to the connection I mentioned on the starter/solenoid
 
Marki_GSA said:
Looking at the starter, does it look like 2 cylinders one on top of the other? If so the top part is the starter solenoid. The top part will have 2 cables going to it. A thick red one which goes to the battery and a small one which the manual calls the starter signal. This either goes to the start button or more likely into the ZF unit and then to the start button. The bottom of the solenoid has a braided cable going to the starter itself. As said before this is how a car starter works and is how my 09 works as well. If your starter has the 2 parts to it as well then its how yours works too.


Edit:

just checked the 08-09 wiring diagram and the starter button does go into the ZF unit then back out to the connection I mentioned on the starter/solenoid
Click to expand...

if there is no relay the clicking must be the solenoid, therefore assuming you have 12v on the big thick main red cable from the battery, the fault must be the starter itself, prob needs to come off which aint to hard to do
 
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=293375

i had the same symptoms but my bike is 2004 and the relay is under the seat......one of the cables going into the relay base was broken..!! read my old thread if you want to .......

with the 2008 unfortunately i can't tell you where and how easy it is to access ............good luck anyway
 
I remember seeing a small black relay beneath my '08 GSA, maybe a relocated starter relay. Can't be arsed to do any more research for you though, go have a look for yourself.
 
Marki_GSA said:
A thick red one which goes to the battery and a small one which the manual calls the starter signal. This either goes to the start button or more likely into the ZF unit and then to the start button. The bottom of the solenoid has a braided cable going to the starter itself. As said before this is how a car starter works and is how my 09 works as well. If your starter has the 2 parts to it as well then its how yours works too.


Edit:

just checked the 08-09 wiring diagram and the starter button does go into the ZF unit then back out to the connection I mentioned on the starter/solenoid
Click to expand...

Sorry to be ignorant but what is the ZF unit. My Haynes manual does not show any wiring diagram for 08-09, any chance you could send me a copy of it.
 
ZF unit is the main electrical controller and replaces all the fuses and relays of traditional wiring. It controls everything lights, indicators, heated grips the lot. It's located under the tank beside the engine ECU and is solid state so no moving parts in it.
 
ZF Unit

Marki_GSA said:
ZF unit is the main electrical controller and replaces all the fuses and relays of traditional wiring. It controls everything lights, indicators, heated grips the lot. It's located under the tank beside the engine ECU and is solid state so no moving parts in it.
Click to expand...

Ok thanks Marki...that makes sense, hence no relay under the seat and the click i can hear under the tank must be something happening in the ZF unit. I presume a fault in the ZF unit is going to be a straight replacement. I assume therefore that the ZF output goes to the solenoid, closing it and causing the starter motor to fire.
 
Starter Relay

Ok Marki
your comments also fit with what RealOEM shows, for the 08 models onwards it lists a "mini starter relay" as discontinued. So my next step is to check if i get a current on the line into the solenoid from the ZF unit.
 
No the click wont be the ZF unit, it has no moving parts. To test if the ZF is working pull off the small wire to the starter and with a volt meter test you have voltage when the starter button is pressed. If you have voltage there then its the starter itself. Could also be the connection from the small wire to starter is corded but removing, testing and putting back will clean that up. The ZF unit is mega bucks and dealer install only so you better hope its not that.
 
solenoid has a built in relay on starter
It can be stripped and cleaned ,hope this helps
Bilco,s bike just had recon from motor works £185
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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