Cold Starting Issue

[Minty]

My 3 year old GS1200 has recently developed a problem when starting from cold. To start it now requires a small amount of throttle then starts and runs in a very lumpy manor with no idle. (I thought it was only firing on one cylinder but checked this evening and both front pipes immediately get warm so both are firing - one theory down the pan)

Once up and running on the road it settles down and runs fine and idles ok, it starts normally as well. When allowed to cool down its back to lumpy again.

Anyone got any pointers / ideas for me to try. Thanks in advance

 

[solidstate100]

Try a TPS reset first -easy and free - other than that it sounds like a sensor maybe not recognising the lower range engine temp and poss under fuelling, prob best to get fault codes read by dealer or anyone that owns a gs9 reader

Just out of interest is it overdue for a service?

 

[Mistacat]

+1 Pos air temp, head temp sender, find a GS911 owner near you. Good Luck.

 

[Minty]

Just out of interest is it overdue for a service?

That’s an interesting question, as the answer is no but yes. No its not, but the bike thinks it is.

Allow me to explain, the bike is 3 months short of its annual service date and 1200 miles short of its 6000-mile service, BUT 300 – 500 miles ago the service light started flashing. I phoned the BMW dealer that did my last service and queried it. I was told not to worry & pop in sometime and they would reset it while I wait, as is a 100 mile + trip and I haven’t been in that direction, I haven’t been yet.

So please tell, what made you ask the service question?

Thanks anyway guys, diagnosis is the way forward.

Richard

 

[Roymondo]

Oddly enough, my bike started exhibiting similar behaviour (lumpy running, reluctant to idle), but only after a *hot* start - i.e. Run for several miles to get fully warmed up, stop for a minute e.g. for petrol or to nip into shop. On restarting it would chug and stumble and generally run on 1.5 cylinders. I tried TPS reset and it seemed to go away, only to return a day or two later.

Most odd.

 

[solidstate100]

"So please tell, what made you ask the service question?"


Well, (speaking as an ex mechanic) you would be surprised how often basic maintenance, such as servicing, is overlooked or considered to be "not important" etc - often used to see bikes/vehicles come in on their last legs and owners looked stunned when you tell them that the poor running/starting/cold starting etc etc is due to a service being required.

Reading what you said (and I am probably mistaken) the fact that the service light is flashing before a service appears to be due could in fact mean that there IS an issue which needs to be investigated,despite what your dealer is telling you - but as I say I may be wrong on that one as not too up to speed on how the ECU interfaces with faults/service indicators etc

Best get it GS9"d to find out if the TPS reset hasn't worked


Good luck

 

[Steptoe]

When was the last time the idle motor was recalibrated ?

Should be done every service..