Intermittent charging R1150GS

[Shaunie]

ARRGGHH! Intermittent faults are the worst!!. I'd rather the bloody thing just broke down and I could take it to a dealer to fix it.

I've had the alternator and battery checked and they're both fine. I've checked all the connectors at both ends and they look OK too. I've come to the conclusion that it might be a broken wire somewhere in the loom, hence the intermittent warning light.

Can I just make up 2 new cables and connect directly between the alternator and battery? Then if the battery warning light still comes on at least I know it's a problem on that circuit and not the charging circuit.

Help and advice needed for the mechanically & electrically incompetent and frustrated.

 

[Timolgra]

Check the loom from your ignition switch, it goes under the tank

 

[Aidan1150]

Check the loom from your ignition switch, it goes under the tank

Quite a few of us with 1150's have had this trouble of late.

There's a section of the wiring loom that runs from under the front of the tank, along the right hand side of the headstock (as you sit on the bike) to the instrument panel.

It's a very simple to diagnose and fix. Cut the outer sheath of the loom and chances are that you will find at least one broken wire along the run. Water get's into the sheath and eventually corrodes a couple of connections in there. Make good those connections and all should hopefully be well again.

 

[MickDB1]

I had a problem like yours that needed proving so I got a cheap voltmeter and wired it to/from battery then clipped it too the handlebars to keep an eye on the charging as I was riding It did help me
HTHY

 

[Colban]

I presume you have checked the obvious...the alternator drive belt for correct tension and wear.If you remove the belt,try turning the alternator pulley by hand to feel for smoothness etc.

 

[Shaunie]

Checked the loom from the headstock to the instrument panel. Can't see any broken wires.

Anyway, the intermittent fault is no longer intermittent. Battery warning light is on all the time now?

Fully charged battery will not start the bike. I've tried 2 just to be sure. But it will jump start from a booster pack. WTF???

I have continuity from the alternator + to the battery + but I also just noticed that I have continuity from the alternator + to earth as well!!!

I'm no mechanic or electrician but that can't be right, can it?

 

[davegs]

battery flat. how do you know it's fuly charged?

 

[Steptoe]

. Battery warning light is on all the time now?

Check the little blue wire on the top left of the alternator. Give it a firm tug as it has a habit of corroding inside the wire .