Grrrrrr Grrrr won't start!

[TJD1200]

Morning.....
Went to start my trusty (?) steed this morning and ............

Dashboard, front side light and rear light all on. I can here the fuel pump working.....
Pushed the button and absolutley nothing.........
Funny thing I was holding the brake on and when I pushed the button the brake light went out, nothing else did. Dash and lights stayed alight.....


Can anyone help with stating the obvious..... is there things to check or known things to look at before I buy another battery?
Thanks in advance

Regards
Terry

 

[AfricaOffroad]

I assume the kill button is still not activated

 

[Rusty Bolts]

Just a quick one try starting it with the
Side stand up and clutch in after checking that the kill switch is in the run position

 

[TJD1200]

Good one..... yes did try flicking that around and sadly not that simple....Thanks

TJD

 

[TJD1200]

Another good suggestion.... Tried side stand and clutch.... no joy..

Do they have problems with the sidestand switch wiring or switch failures? I thought of that as I waqs driving to work?

Regards
TJD

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Terry

When the battery goes, they generally give no warning and all sorts of things happen when there isn't enough power to start the bike.

How old is the battery?

 

[mcinlb]

Brake light going out as you press the start button..... looks like final drain on battery, battery U/S.

 

[TJD1200]

Gents,
Thanks for your replies.... I thought it is the battery.... not knowing the full history (the bikes a '57 plate) I assume as old as the bike 4 1/2 years... the strange thing is all the remaining electrics don't go out?? ..dashboard, sidelight, dash lights....
.........Still might just get a new battery as a spare..... worth a try...

Thanks

Regards
TJD

 

[Toad]

Before changing the battery which is what you'll most likely need to do, just check the connections............

 

[snerkler]

I assume it's not just a case that the bike's been left for a while and the battery's run flat?

 

[colint]

Before buying a battery can you get a "jump start" or borrow a booster pack if the bike turns over and starts then that would prove it was the battery.

 

[TJD1200]

Going to try all the above later this afternoon...... Thanks for your replies so far...
If it's not the battery...? only saying this 'cos the dash and lights that are on don't go out (except the brake light)......

Regards
TJD

 

[flatdog]

If it's not the battery...? only saying this 'cos the dash and lights that are on don't go out (except the brake light)......

Regards
TJD

Lights etc have less drain on the battery, so they may still work to a degree, the S/Motor will drain it hence nothing - perhaps a click coming from the solonoid.

 

[TJD1200]

Definitly no click from any solenoid.... and other than the brake light going out no dimming of any other lights ......

Regards
TJD

 

[Yonkyo]

After almost 3 yrs, my OEM battery finally gave up the ghost.

Even though my optimate thingy was reading 12.3v, but warning "battery poor". my GSA would not start....nothing.

Fitted new battery (a Varta). And all is good with my world again now.

 

[Bazza T]

Definitly no click from any solenoid.... and other than the brake light going out no dimming of any other lights ......

Regards
TJD

I had this the other day. Had left bike standing for a month. Lights, dash etc all working but no starter. Put it on a trickle charge for a day then no probs. Only thing is I know the battery is fairly new just before i bought the bike in August.

Good luck

 

[Keith Chapman]

Don't know about the 1200, but there are some bikes that need a minimum voltage to wake up the ecu, and it is not a particularly low voltage (about 11V if I remember correctly). So the lights will work but nothing else. It could be that your battery is only just below the required voltage . give it a charge and see what happens .

 

[TJD1200]

Bazza,
It must be the air round these parts... your not far from me......

If jump starting works then on charge it goes.... although I used it on Friday last week and I do around 100miles a day on it last week......

Regards
TJD

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Bazza,

If jump starting works then on charge it goes.... although I used it on Friday last week and I do around 100miles a day on it last week......
TJD

It doesn't really matter how often you ride. When the battery is goosed, you generally don't get much warning.

 

[TJD1200]

Ok people,
It's not the battery.....
Forgive my ignorance..... never taken a BMW apart before.... Fuses..what fuses?......
Found the two for the aux lights can see any more......?
..........gona have to resort to looking at a Haynes manual if it goes on much longer........


If there are any obvious places to look I would appreciate some guidance. Thanks.

Regards
TJD