Help with diagnosis of fault. Please!

[Pukmeister]

Hello, latest update -

After a further frustrating session, I've discovered that for whatever reason, there is 13.2v now even when the battery is connected.

The symptoms are that when I turn the ignition on, there is not the usual high pitched motor sound (not sure if it's fuel pump or ABS priming). Then when I press the start button, there is very light clicking sound, but certainly no attempt by the starter motor to start the engine.

The servo'd brakes dont spring into life either.

I cannot remember if it should, but the headlamp is not coming on either.

I have double checked the side stand switch, kill switch and all the obvious connections.

The headlamp only comes on once the engine is running to save draining the battery. It's a feature.

 

[Bear]

Assuming you have servo-assisted ABS the high-pitched sound is the servo priming the braking system. If the battery is the original fit BMW item and is more than two years old then I would suggest replacing it with something fit for the purpose (my battery has the good manners to die at 101 weeks old which was just within warranty).

 

[Pukmeister]

Lift the toolkit out from under the seat. In the toolkit recess is a plug-in relay (starter relay).

Check it and also its socket wiring.

 

[Toyo]

Steve
Just a suggestion
You might want to post on here to find if anyone near you has the '911 diagnostic' dongle ( I am too far south)
That takes all guessing out - a well worthwhile investment on any beemer.
Without you might want to try this
- to eliminate a possibly faulty Fuel Pump Controller, make an FPC bypass as described on this forum- odds are could well be that
Or buy one as a spare and try it- it will 'go' sooner or later....
and possibly a dodgy battery - most OE batteries on 1200's are very poor-

 

[nedflanders]

Had the same problem with my last battery, just a clicking from the starter motor and thats it, wouldn't jump start either and to this day still don't know why , it's not voltage that starts your bike but amps, you could have 13v at the battery but the battery can still be fooked, you'd be better off getting the battery off and down to a local garage for a discharge test, this will show what the battery is doing under load. Incidentally mine was hooked upto an optimate before it died as well.

 

[Johnny Boy]

I would also try a replacement battery. I have never had a lot of success with jump leads, I think they can fool you into thinking that there is another fault 'cause it won't start with jump leads on a good battery. Must be overdue for a replacement if its the original ?.

John

 

[GSmonkey]

As suggested, now you've established a voltage, measure the voltage with the starter button pressed. It does however sound like a shagged battery.

 

[Big Si]

Either that or a faulty earth, if it has been stood over winter with some corrosion build up.

 

[bsogri]

starting probs

Can any body tell me where on gs 1200 the negative battery lead earths on the frame please as I have the symptoms described ,also my dash lights fluctuate between bright sometimes and dull others any ideas,

 

[Steve Smales]

Unbelievable - despite all best efforts to diagnose, simply a knackered battery.

Quite why the bike would not respond at all to jump leads from a running car, I will never know.

Very embarrassing when the AA man started it straight away with a booster pack.

Somewhat puzzled how a 12month old battery can fail when maintained on an optimiser.

Thanks for all your advice.

Steve

 

[alimey4u2]

Buy a Westco, charge it when you feel like it, slap it around & call it ugly names. It will still be there for you when you press that little button. I swear that the two I own are competing for my inheritance...