2012 GSA - Battery drain - not charging?

[Goose]

Interesting thread......... I have a 2012 GSA and had a hectic problem with the battery as well......... some drain somewhere.......... however of more concern to me was that normally after a ride - the bike would be left for a day and then the motor will struggle to turn over. Got so bad that eventually all I got was a "clicking: sound from the starter.....

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zC8RCv19yRI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

BMW On-call collected the bike in May this year and eventually returned the bike and told me that the battery was fine and that it just needed to be charged.

Now imo the GSA's got a massive alternator..... should be enough to run a small house's lights...........

In June - I left the bike with the dealership while we came over to the UK for 3 months - with the instructions to sort it!

Got back in October and promptly collected the bike.......... I've had it back home - did a really nice 4 hour ride (all dirt roads) .......... and next day decided to go for another trip.......... battery started struggling to turn over - but eventually got it started. Rode 180kms - got back and the battery was seriously depleted!

Bike was collected 2 days ago - back to dealership .......... so 3 months was not enough to get it sorted..... and we have a really nice trip planned with my son for the coming week..

I am starting to suspect that the Alternator is the problem - not the battery. If I connected the BMW Canbus charger it does charge the battery and then it is ok to turn over engine..........

Dealer has indicated that there might be a current drain........... have alarm fitted but have never needed/used it ......... so we wait and see



roads awaiting!!!!!

 

[birdseye]

Funny noise on the video clip - usually the starter solenoid doesnt sound so metallic. Yours sounds almost as if something is hitting the engine cases. But TBH, I cant really comment sensibly about the video since the sound can be affected by recording equipment etc.

For your alternator to charge the battery it need to get the volts up ( typical charging voltage is around 14.5) and also to have a low resistance circuit. So these two things are the first ones to check. With the enbgine running put your voltmeter across the battery terminals and see if there is 14.5 volts there. One issue however - if the battery ius flat in the first place the initial volts will be below 14.5 as the alternator pumps in at max output but will rise to 14.5 as the battery is charged. So use your canbus charger first. Then run the bike engine without charger and check voltage.

If the voltage is OK but the battery was still flat to start with, then check the earth circuit connections from alternator to battery. Make sure the terminals are clean and tight.

 

[GS_or_bust]

Change the battery, its easy to do and rules that out. I wouldn't take someone's word for it when it is so easy to rule it out properly.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Wot he said. Change the battery first.

 

[Goose]

Change the battery, its easy to do and rules that out. I wouldn't take someone's word for it when it is so easy to rule it out properly.

I've now insisted that the dealer exchanges the battery under warranty......... will see if that resolves the problem

 

[Bendy toy]

You could check for current drain anyway. Disconnect the battery and connect a good one via jump leads and ammeter. You can then check if there is a current drain.

 

[Goose]

You could check for current drain anyway. Disconnect the battery and connect a good one via jump leads and ammeter. You can then check if there is a current drain.

I could do that as well........ and should indeed, however - I'm making THIS problem BMW's......... they had it for 3 months to sort it out under warranty and I'm sure as hell going to hold them responsible for it.

 

[birdseye]

Change the battery, its easy to do and rules that out. I wouldn't take someone's word for it when it is so easy to rule it out properly.

You must work for a main dealer with that approach to problems. Next step would be to change the alternator? And then if that doesnt work ...... ?

I'm the opposite of the OP. IMO never rely on main dealer diagnosis if you can work it out for yourself. Only then do you bounce them into sorting it out in the way you know is right. Most mechanics dont know 12v from 12mm

 

[Pukmeister]

You must work for a main dealer with that approach to problems. Next step would be to change the alternator? And then if that doesnt work.....?

You could change the bike. I doubt that would solve it either.

 

[Goose]

You could change the bike. I doubt that would solve it either.

or I could just ride my old trusty Yamaha XT550....... toolkit consists of 5 cable ties, flat/star screwdriver, small pliers, 6mm Allen key, puncture kit and tyre levers......... oh and a small bit of tie-wire! Can fix anything on it.........

IMO the battery needs to be replaced......... but try get the numpties to admit it is like trying to find a .......