? Dead GSA Alternator

[Topcat502]

Hi all..
So, after getting the old girl out of hibernation. She would not start for love nor money.
Looked like a battery issue with difficulty in turning over.
Got a spare batter to jump start her and then it all went wrong.
Got a loud squeal on kick up with lots of white electric smelling smoke from the front..
Quickly switched her off and left it to stand for a min or two.
Started her up again which was fine. Took out for a spin then ABS light came on, speedo and tacho stropped working.
Lost indicators etc.
Got home and switched off, only to get a loud clicking when trying to start up again..
I'm thinking an initially seized alternator and toast battery...
Any other pointers gratefully accepted....
1200GSA 2008

 

[G5RJO]

It may not be a toast battery, just a flat one, a buggered alternator is usually evident by a cracked casing on the top. Losing the indicators, clocks, whatever is the system diverting battery power to run the bike because the alternator is probably dead.

Lift the tank to get a good look at it.The vented area will usually break away with bits falling inside the alternator making things worse...

Moisture from possibly washing it before parking up seizes the alternator, screeching is the belt slipping over the alternator pulley, once it frees the alternator the damage is probably done, £550 ish for a new one or motor works / sherlocks.

There are two different alternators, denso and bosch, different pulley sizes and plugs, easiest just to go like for like.

First step would be to lift the tank and/or pull the front cover to assess the belt and if the alternator turns over.

Good luck, been there, done it..... it's costly and a faff to get the alternator out.

Roger.

 

[Mac One]

I think a seized alternator is a strong possibility, and the alternator belt is now stripped or broken. I would take the front cover off first, check the belt and take it from there.

 

[roamer]

Worth checking the alternator belt as mentioned,
Alternators can sieze if left wet,

 

[Steptoe]

Did you wash your awesome steed before putting it away for winter ? Anyway sounds like your alternator is seized. The body will be cracked and swollen - I’ve a few examples on the shelf to show customers the consequences of spending too much time cleaning their bikes.

 

[Topcat502]

Yep, looks like it was seized.. That'll be one expensive pre winter wash.

 

[knutk]

Yep, looks like it was seized.. That'll be one expensive pre winter wash.

Time to make a call.

If you don't like the price of a new one from BMW, perhaps MotorWorks is able to help with a used one.

 

[Steptoe]

Time to make a call.

If you don't like the price of a new one from BMW, perhaps MotorWorks is able to help with a used one.

Used 1200 alternators are still very expensive.

 

[knutk]

Used 1200 alternators are still very expensive.

May be so, but if you need one, that's what it takes.
The used ones are perhaps 60% of a new one.

The options would be to weld the crack in the housing of the damaged one and replace the bearings and the brushes.
If the PO is able to DIY, there are potential of savings, but if you send it to a shop, the savings would at best be marginal...

 

[Topcat502]

New alternator in and ended up changing the starter as it took that out too trying to start it when the alternator seized... (Really slow turn over and almost killing the batt when hot with no voltage drop at terminals when checked) .. So far no problems. Turns over a gud un and running pretty good finally. (Stick coils last year). 30,000 ish on the clock now and off to Portugal in a few weeks.. It's certainly been an adventure. Hope this helps others.