Completely Dead GS1200! Help?

[PatM]

Hi- Wheeled my 06, 65k daily hack out today to go to work- yeah, some of us still have to and it was completely DEAD. Turned key, nothing, no lights, clicks anything- Put meter on battery- 12.6v, so ok. Got jump-starter- still nothing. But did hear a bit of a whine- (not from the starter motor...) but the sort of noise I hear from the FP before I start it. But no LCD instrument panel and thus no joy from any attempt to start it. Then I had to go to work- TG for the trusty R1, as the next choice (400/4) is still in bits...
I really couldn’t do much more at that time of the morning but as I raced up the M20, thoughtful, I was thinking- earth to chassis? Key switch??

So I’m looking for some tips/experience, as I bet I’m not the only one it’s happened to! I ride up to town each day and really need the panniers to carry all my stuff- ran up a bit light this a.m  !
I’ve had its since new- regularly service by those nice chaps at Coopers and it’s booked in for its 66k- but because all the fair-weathers are out this time of year, they are booked up solid till end of June!!

 

[Timpo]

Key switch?
Can you prove that with multimeter?

Timpo.

 

[PatM]

Id need to know what the connections were supposed to do- ie, open or closed..when operated. Im just dreading a long night ripping wiring apart..

 

[GSmonkey]

Quite common to have the battery at good voltage, but not starting the bike. Is it the original battery?

 

[Slowdown]

From the amount of key barrel problems posted recently, I'd squirt some contact cleaner down the keyhole and then oil the key and see what happens - there's plenty of threads already on what I think it is.

 

[PatM]

From the amount of key barrel problems posted recently, I'd squirt some contact cleaner down the keyhole and then oil the key and see what happens - there's plenty of threads already on what I think it is.

Hi- no, its the 3rd battery- as I do lots of cold starts and run a Gerbing jacket off it during the less-clement months- which helps to kill them. I did put some WD 40 down it before I abandoned all hope this morning- Yes, I know you shouldnt use WD40...But on the basis it might have got wet..

My guess is that its the battry earth to the chassis- anyone know where this heavy wire goes to?

 

[Slowdown]

Well your theory is easily tested - one wire of a tester - say a 55w bulb - on the positive battery terminal and the other on a suitable exposed bit of metal chassis.

I still think it's the barrel....

 

[Timpo]

I still think it's the barrel....

Me too.... i have a virtual £10 on it with myself......

T.

 

[Magwych]

Yep, I have seen this with the barrel too; both on my 06 GS, then its replacement 08 GSA.

In all cases aftre a few on-off cycles it was fine. Coopers said they cleaned it out for me on a few occasions. I suspect that they did as adid and squirted a load of contact cleaner down there.

How did you protect the barrel from freezing up over winter? If you used any oils ( including WD-40 ) that may have helped drag all sorts of detritis into the depths of the switch.

You did check your run switch was in the "Run" position ?

 

[PatM]

Yep, I have seen this with the barrel too; both on my 06 GS, then its replacement 08 GSA.

In all cases aftre a few on-off cycles it was fine. Coopers said they cleaned it out for me on a few occasions. I suspect that they did as adid and squirted a load of contact cleaner down there.

How did you protect the barrel from freezing up over winter? If you used any oils ( including WD-40 ) that may have helped drag all sorts of detritis into the depths of the switch.

You did check your run switch was in the "Run" position ?

Turned up at home on the R1 tonight- all wet- the bike that is- and tried the ignition- not a sausage- bugger all.
Battery fine after its days charge- so call Mondial- as thats what I pay for and they are going to send someone tomorrow..
Done the keyswitch a couple of times and no joy.
Hopefully they will take it to see Steve Franlin and the merry boys at Coopers..

 

[Timpo]

Turned up at home on the R1 tonight- all wet- the bike that is- and tried the ignition- not a sausage- bugger all.
Battery fine after its days charge- so call Mondial- as thats what I pay for and they are going to send someone tomorrow..
Done the keyswitch a couple of times and no joy.
Hopefully they will take it to see Steve Franlin and the merry boys at Coopers..

So why ask here?....
What about having a go at diagnosing the fault yourself..... or are you happy 'paying for' someone else to wipe your hoop?
Think of it as an exercise..... say your stuck in the depths of..... erm, Morocco!

Hope they fix it quick..... keep us posted.

T.

 

[deaninkl]

had exact same situation twice...wouldn't even jump start...

New battery both times.

 

[PatM]

So why ask here?....
What about having a go at diagnosing the fault yourself..... or are you happy 'paying for' someone else to wipe your hoop?
Think of it as an exercise..... say your stuck in the depths of..... erm, Morocco!

Hope they fix it quick..... keep us posted.

T.

Timpo- Hi

They didn't... the Tech turned up and could fix it- but while we were enjoying a coffee in the Kentish sun- the bike whirred into life! So I rode it to Coopers, who fitted me in and they too couldn't find anything wrong with the diag tool. after getting home OK, I left it for about 5 hours and the fault came on again- I shorted the Ign switch out and problem solved- so I’ve wired up this MOD to get me to work tomorrow as Coopers haven't got spares in stock- and I need my bike for work! Not just a southern softie... But need the bike fixed pronto...


For now my heath Robinson switch (taped to the handlebars) will have to do until parts are in stock and not till next week as I can spend the time sodding around waiting.