Battery no longer charging warning light

[eclectic]

The dreaded warning light has appeared today on my 2005 1200GS and Manual says generator fault. Inevitably bike out of warranty few months. Bike two+ years old and 32000 miles on clock ( yep I enjoy riding!!)

What are the obvious thinks I should check before I consider putting into expensive hands of dealer? Could it simply be battery shagged?

Should explain I am electrical illiterate!

Thanks for any advise

 

[cookie]

snapped generator drive belt?

under plastic cover on front of engine.

 

[FATBOY]

Yep, sounds likely. Mine was cut half through and had to be changed last service. Unbeleivably, stones can get in!

 

[ChrisK]

Yep snapped belt happen twice on mine. Have a chat with deal for a claim on BMW.

 

[eclectic]

Thanks

Thanks for the pointers. I will check out belt as soon as time permits.
Must not let a small matter like this disrupt Sunday run!

 

[miket]

I hope youre not going far on sunday

with no charge going into the battery, headlight on and a fuel pump etc drawing current I would think about half an hours run time before youre walking

you need to check it

 

[JayGee]

I hope youre not going far on sunday

with no charge going into the battery, headlight on and a fuel pump etc drawing current I would think about half an hours run time before youre walking

you need to check it

AGREE, with no charge going into the battery you won't get far. If you've got a voltmeter, put it acreoss the battery, if it's around 13.5 volts with the engine running then it's charging. If the belts brocken it will more likely be around 11 volts or less and the engine is getting it's spark from the battery (it won't do that for long). Of course, the reg/alternator can fail intermittently, yet the fault light probably locks on so you might get away with it but I wouldn't chance it.

 

[eclectic]

Result!

Thanks to everyone. Checked belt and , as suggested, it was shredded. New belt now on and just back from 40 mile run to get some juice bck in battery.
Incidentaly when I bought belt from dealer they suggested that they have had no instances of broken belts! guess a few people on this site know better! Making mental note to purchase another belt to carry...thats usually a guarentee that it wont happen again!
Thanks again all

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Glad you got it sorted and that it was nothing too costly

Out of interest, was the belt changed at 24000 miles or were you still on the original?

Andres

 

[cookie]

anyone know if the 1150 belt is the same as a 1200?


only i have a spare from my old bike lying around.

 

[eclectic]

Glad you got it sorted and that it was nothing too costly

Out of interest, was the belt changed at 24000 miles or were you still on the original?

Andres

First question I will ask when in dealers on Saturday. Also will check 24000 mile service invoice. I will let you know as soon as I know.

 

[eclectic]

anyone know if the 1150 belt is the same as a 1200?


only i have a spare from my old bike lying around.

Not sure cookie but I know that the 1150 has an adjustment to allow easy replacement whereas 1200 does not. This might suggest a different more "stretchy" belt for 1200?

 

[eclectic]

Out of interest, was the belt changed at 24000 miles or were you still on the original?

Andres

Checked 24k invoice. Belt not changed at that service. Interestingly the front cover was changed just as bike came out of 2 year warranty a few months ago.There should be no link but .....

What is the recommended service interval to change belt on 1200GS?

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Checked 24k invoice. Belt not changed at that service. Interestingly the front cover was changed just as bike came out of 2 year warranty a few months ago.There should be no link but .....

What is the recommended service interval to change belt on 1200GS?

Just checked here and it states 36,000 miles.

TBH I thought it was 24,000 miles, my mistake

Andres