1150 GSA starting problems

[Repoman]

Hello all, havent posted for a while so good to be back....

For various reasons I havent used my GS regularly for the past couple of years but it has been serviced, MOTed and kept in the garage. I have also used the Optimate, albeit sporadically.

A few months ago I had starting problems which I think was down to the battery expiring (03 bike on original battery) so I replaced it with a new one from BMW and everything seemed tickety boo. I've used the bike maybe half a dozen times since with no problems.

This morning I got the bike out to go to work and it started fine. I let it warm up and then turned it off while I shut the garage door. Went to restart it and.........grind, grind.... the starter realy struggled to turn the engine over and it wouldnt start. Grind, grind, grind, and then takka-takka-takka clicking noise. Rats.

Put the bike back in the garage, put the battery on charge and went to work on the Lambretta (flawless of course: 48 year old Italian shopping bike technology).

Came home tonight, Optimate showing full charge on the battery, good. Bike starts first time, fine. Run it work a couple of minutes and switch off. go to restart it and.......Grrrrrrr! exactly the same as this morning. takka-takka-tak

Obliged if someone could offer a diagnosis as I'm a bit stumped. My provisional and very amateur diagnoses are -

New battery shagged as well.
Battery not recharging?
Starter motor shagged in some way (but why would it start first time?)

I concede that the bike has had irregular use but it has been fine the past few times I've ridden it.

So, finest minds in GSerland please come to my aid...

 

[sani]

I think you nead a new battery.

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Spawn of SATAN, this is your 666th post!

 

[Repoman]

I noticed that when I posted it, thought it was kinda cool.

But of course now it'll be just dull old 667.

And as for the starting problem, any ideas? Horns jamming the starter? Cloven hooves in the way?

 

[Colban]

Do you have/can you borrow a voltmeter.
Attach to battery and check voltage when trying to start(with fully charged battery).
Does it stay at 12V ish or drop to 9 V ish?.(9 v is probably a bad battery)
Check the connections on the +side to starter terminal and -side to earth.
Clean any corrosion off.
If you have to take starter out,clean and VERY lightly lube the pinion (gear) that engages with the flywheel.This may be the cause of the grindy/clacky noise.

 

[ELIMINATOR]

http://www.dansmc.com/mc_repaircourse.htm

This was posted some time this week, might be useful.

Sounds like batey to me.

 

[Number8]

as other peope hae said battery is probally fubar'ed
but on another note , optimates in my opnion are a total waste of space

i got one and it totally failed to keep my battery charged over one winter, went back to using the decaying old brittish bater charger that my dad gave me years ago and he probally got given it by his dad all its got is a shut off when charged . it seems to work perfectly

 

[rudiemoto]

charge the batty up again then put muti meter on {£9 from maplins}start bike and see if it drop below 10volts if so bin it get a new battery
i have 55 plate gsa and use it every day one cold morning it was dead ,charged it up nx day and rode to work to then find dead again bin it and fitted new battery job done
ps dont leave optimates on for more tan 1 day you will kill your new battery

 

[Repoman]

Thanks for the replies all.

The weird thing is that I started it this morning fine, and restarted it gain without problems.

I'll do the voltage check though, and let you know.

 

[G.C.]

I might be stating the obvious here, so forgive me if I am but.
Just starting the engine and then stopping it or running for a few minutes to warm it doesn’t do the battery or the engine any good. It draws a lot of power from the battery and the engine can overheat very quickly !
Have you taken the bike for a good run ?

 

[robmack]

Had a starting problem myself yesterday on my 2003 gsa traced the problem to the four pin connector block from the sender unit on the tank.
If you remove the seat and undo the bolt that holds the rear of the tank down.
Raise the tank and you will see the connector block attached to the rhs of the frame. Seperate the plug and give the terminals a good clean.
i actually found a loose wire on mine and repaired it.
Good luck

 

[Richard J]

Now it' my turn.

1995 1100

Won't start and makes the "machine gun" noise from the starter.
First thought was the starter moter so I stripped and cleaned it and regreased the helix gears. Charged battery

No difference

Bought and fitted Reconditioned starter motor. Charged battery

No difference

Use jump leads from car

No difference

I guess the Reconditioned starter motor could be faulty but has anyone got any ideas

 

[rudiemoto]

check 12volts at starter then press what voltage do you have
also put meter on battery and check volts when you push starter button
check starter relay in 12v and out 12v
look for s/w live a thin wire check swicth volt in it intermeminty when you push button any more or in english ring shop tuesday out on bike sunday monday

 

[davegs]

Battery

if yours is a "Gl" tpye and it's gone flat I think that it's possiby had it.
I had one six months old went flat and would not revive under warrenty so got a new one, get a hawker or similar think you'd be better off. Good luck.
Dave gs.

 

[Den]

I dont think there is anything wrong with your bike.
Bikes are like wives. If you dont rev the nuts off them regularly, after a while its difficult to get them started. ( thats wot she tells me anyway ).
A good long ride at least once a week keeps them well oiled, topped up and raring to go at the first touch of the button. Even if you cant be bothered, its worth the effort. ( thats the bike Im referring to ).

 

[luke scott]

Hey Repoman........... Long time no hear. have you settled in to the UK ? I'm just starting with another guide dog so will be frequenting the Helix . How's the juke box ?

 

[nunesaf]

Have you sorted the problem out?

There are a few other possibilities:
starter solenoid dirty
starter relay nacked - sometimes it is a matter of opening it an cleaning the contacts.

If you suspect one of these problems, let me know - I may do a walkthrough with you

Good luck!

 

[Bronco Billy]

Had the same symptoms and it turned out to be the starter on its wayout. + The charger you have is useless for a fully discharged Gel type battery.

Hope that is of use mate.