Failing Battery

[(RIP) petcul]

Bear in mind I'm mechanically challenged!!!

Bike was going fine until Saturday afternoon when I stopped at a filling station. Tried to start it again. Nothing. Tried to start it again using jump leads. Nothing. Tried a car battery. Nothing. BMW Rescue arrived - great service - mechanic tried everything. No joy. Bike taken to dealer. Word today is the battery that needs to be replaced.

Anyone else with the same experience i.e. no warning and cannot be jump started?

 

[Roymondo]

That doesn't sound right to me. Batteries can and do fail in strange ways these days, and the Canbus electrics can further mask whatever symptoms you have, but for there to be no response at all to a breakdown van's jump leads suggests to me that the problem lies elsewhere - maybe the ignition switch?

 

[morty]

did mechanic bypass starter circuit? & jump from starter motor??
a totally fecked battery will inhibit the bike from starting,can't think of anything on circuit that would stop the bike from being jump started unless fault within circuit.
did he try bump starting??with lights on??

 

[John Armstrong]

I had a battery die just about completely with no warning, and after driving for a couple of hours. 12v wouldn't get it started, but 24v from the recovery truck did.

 

[morty]

he did check the sidestand switch i presume????kill switch aswell & starter relay. did he have a gs911 to hand.if not why not?

 

[Sgt Bilco]

When the batteries go, they die with no warning. If their isn't enough amps in the circuit, nothing will light up on the 1200 and that is why I carry a spare battery for my big trips.

 

[crumbles]

A spare battery!!!!!!
Kitchen sink aswell or DO YOU DO YOU MEAN BIG BIGUNS, (trips that is)

 

[morty]

crumbles, will you be having hot & cold running water???
i would without it your totally fecked unless your gs is diesel

 

[(RIP) petcul]

did mechanic bypass starter circuit? & jump from starter motor??
a totally fecked battery will inhibit the bike from starting,can't think of anything on circuit that would stop the bike from being jump started unless fault within circuit.
did he try bump starting??with lights on??

Yes. He tried to jump start the starter motor but although there was a whirring it did not turn over. I tried to bump start but equally no joy.

 

[(RIP) petcul]

I had a battery die just about completely with no warning, and after driving for a couple of hours. 12v wouldn't get it started, but 24v from the recovery truck did.

Unfortunately didn't in my case.

 

[(RIP) petcul]

When the batteries go, they die with no warning. If their isn't enough amps in the circuit, nothing will light up on the 1200 and that is why I carry a spare battery for my big trips.

The rider display and lights worked ok

 

[Mr K]

Ring antenna?

 

[Roymondo]

The rider display and lights worked ok

This is a wind-up, isn't it? That, or your use of the word "Nothing" when referring to the bike's response actually means "There was a whirring noise and the instruments etc worked"

What you now describe is typical battery failure.

 

[duckspeed]

he did check the sidestand switch i presume????kill switch aswell & starter relay. did he have a gs911 to hand.if not why not?

I am guessing he didn't because they are the BMW car technicians who are tasked to bikes, most of them don't have a clue with bikes, bit worrying isn't it ?

 

[morty]

having a breakdown is a bummer,but nothing lasts or ever,depending on how old your bike is,how often you use it,maintain it etc are all factors & of course our friend sods law.
How well you look after your battery (within reason) unless you have a modern charger that loads & unloads the battery and diagnoses its function.I bet a large majority of folk have had breakdowns and not read the signs that mr battery was struggling or even looked at it apart from bunging on the charger when bike is not in use.with the exception of manufacturing faults.
Atleast its a quick & easy fix.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

A spare battery!!!!!!
Kitchen sink aswell or DO YOU DO YOU MEAN BIG BIGUNS, (trips that is)

20 GS's on 2 x 8500 mile trips in 3 months so yes I do mean BIGUNS

 

[(RIP) petcul]

Thanks for all the comments guys. Picked the bike up from the dealer - Coopers in Boldon - today. The problem was a complete battery failure. Battery warranty 2 years, bike 2 1/2 years I was about to reach for my credit card while having a discussion with Paul, the service manager. As it happened a big chief from BMW HQ was with him and after an amicable discussion about the battery he waived the replacement charge

Rode home a happy bunny