Electric start probs

[Vincent]

Hi,
My R65 GS got really wet on a weekend to britanny and the electric start started to play up. From time to time to start with, now doesn't work at all, just eratic TAKTAKTAKTAK, doesn't engage the engine. The bike will start when pushed down hill and I manage to kick start it when warm but it's hard work.
Where shall I start? Which part might be faulty?
Many thanks
Vince

 

[BillN]

Pretty obvious but you need to start by checking the battery.

Start by ensuring that it is fully charged or hook up another good 12v battery to the existing one, (but be careful), with jump leads

(EDIT: just thought that I better add the following:
Connect the jump cables in this order ;

a. Connect positive red cable to the (+) positive terminal on the Bike battery.
b. Connect the other end of the positive red cable to (+) positive terminal on the SPARE.
c. Connect negative black cable to (-) negative terminal on the SPARE.
d. Connect the other end of the negative cable to the negative terminal on the Bike battery

Disconnect in the reverse order.

then the starter motor

Wet wet wet could just be a coincidence.................the battery could be on the way out

 

[buellzebub]

That sounds very familiar, do you by any chance have a Datatool System 3 on it?

Mick.

 

[Vincent]

Hi,
Thanks Mick, but there's no alarm system on the bike
My battery is charged up, I've checked the starter relay and wiring and still the same problem. Looking at the Haynes BMW Twins 1970 to 1988' Fault diagnosis, and as Bill mentions, it seems like it could be a damaged starter motor. It is rotating but doesn't start the engine...
Any thoughts on that? Expensive part, can it be fixed or should I just change the all unit?
Many thanks

 

[BillN]

Vincent

do you have a monolever R65G/S.........mid 80s.........I have never seen one "in the flesh".........but presumably it is the same as the R80G/S or R80ST.

If you need a new starter motor call Motobins.... I think that they have 10% off this week, (mention it), .......Bosch ones are £100 exchange..........but I cannot remember if the 80GS etc., i.e. Valeo, will fit, it would be cheaper and is lighter.....but some do not rate it

I would think that you have a Bosch....there is no point in trying to repair a starter motor....just exchange it

but check everything else first....connections etc.,............Take the starter motor off .........it is a bit fiddly as it is difficult to get at one of the bolts......and have a good look at it

disconnect the battery before you start

 

[bumpmuncher]

hello vincent. if you have a valeo starter one of the magnets has possibly fallen off and is jamming the armature. when mine failed i had similar symptoms to yours sometimes it seemd to struggle and others it just clicked like yours. apparently damp can be a main cause of the magnet glue failing. there are quite a few variations of the d6ra starter fitted to many small cars citroen, renults, peugots and vauxhals. you can get one from a scrapyard for £10 - £15 and then you can use the parts to repair yours, i got mine off of a R plate vaxhaull corsa 1.2 (not all use the d6ra so you may have to check it is a d6ra).
or see if you have a valeo service agent locally and they will supply a casing with magnets for a reasonable cost.
or got to sherbinworks and hand over your £150 for a new one
hope you get it sorted soon Bm

 

[Kenny]

I'd check all the battery leads for cleanliness and tightness...also the wiring to the starter relay...these simple things cause havoc with airhead starting !

 

[BillN]

Vince

The section in the Haynes manual on the overhaul of the Bosch starter motor is not bad

Good luck

 

[Steptoe]

Sounds like the battery. Just because it reads 12 volts, doesn't mean all is well and good. it needs amps to turn the engine.
The solenoid is kicking in but the battery hasn't the ooomph to turn the engine, hence the takatakataka noise.

 

[John Armstrong]

Sounds like the battery. Just because it reads 12 volts, doesn't mean all is well and good. it needs amps to turn the engine.
The solenoid is kicking in but the battery hasn't the ooomph to turn the engine, hence the takatakataka noise.

Progress for you isn't it, same sort of sh1t on the hexheads

 

[John Armstrong]

or see if you have a valeo service agent locally and they will supply a casing with magnets for a reasonable cost.
or got to sherbinworks and hand over your £150 for a new one

Is the bracket addition a sensible mod?

Seen here: http://www.motoren-israel.com/produ...getriebe-NEU-alle-2V-Boxer--ab-Bj--1976-.html

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

Must be the season for it. I came back from a lovely ride with no problems. Dry as well. Put the bike away and next day it would not start or even turn over.. Thought, bloody starter. took it off, not easy to get at the bolts and must remember to replace them with allen key types. I stripped the starter but found that everytrhing including the magnets looked ok.
Stupid then reassembled the starter, lay it on the cylinder to earth it and flashed the pos lead onto the various cotacts on the starter. \solenoid worked ok but starter would not turn. Stripped it again checked and nothing found. To cut a long story short I checked the battery, 12 volts but then checked the cells with a hydrometer and found the middle cell was u/s.
So it looks like there is b... all wrong with the starter but I am surprised that the battery went so suddenly Ive had no problems with the electrics at all.
So new battery( shall I get an odyssey)?
Moral is , make sure your battery or connections are not the problem before ordering the new starter.

 

[Flipfly]

Must be the season for it. I came back from a lovely ride with no problems. Dry as well. Put the bike away and next day it would not start or even turn over.. Thought, bloody starter. took it off, not easy to get at the bolts and must remember to replace them with allen key types. I stripped the starter but found that everytrhing including the magnets looked ok.
Stupid then reassembled the starter, lay it on the cylinder to earth it and flashed the pos lead onto the various cotacts on the starter. \solenoid worked ok but starter would not turn. Stripped it again checked and nothing found. To cut a long story short I checked the battery, 12 volts but then checked the cells with a hydrometer and found the middle cell was u/s.
So it looks like there is b... all wrong with the starter but I am surprised that the battery went so suddenly Ive had no problems with the electrics at all.
So new battery( shall I get an odyssey)?
Moral is , make sure your battery or connections are not the problem before ordering the new starter.

Odyssey

I had one on the 1150 and they are in a different league to normal batteries. I never used a trickle charger and could leave it for 6 weeks and it would kick up no probs. Dear for an old fogie like you on your measly pension

Maybe your 2 sons could get you one as an early xmas pressie

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

Odyssey

I had one on the 1150 and they are in a different league to normal batteries. I never used a trickle charger and could leave it for 6 weeks and it would kick up no probs. Dear for an old fogie like you on your measly pension

Maybe your 2 sons could get you one as an early xmas pressie

Sounds like a plan

 

[fritz]

I was very surprised to find out a couple of Julys ago how quick a battery can die. One day fine, next day dead as the Dodo...just like that. I have a sealed high output golf cart battery fitted. Search around and you may find something suitable - I had to modify connections as is 'wrong way round'. Lots of bad reports on the Odyssey if you intend going anywhere exotic.
The battery I have now is very powerful output and doesn't mind being let parked up for longish periods.

 

[ebbo]

Brother in law told me (RAC man) that batteries have changed significantly in recent years, where as they once faded away, now they just tend to die, sudden like.
I think it’s because there is less lead in the plates leading to collapse, but don't quote me.