Intermittent starting on 1150GSA

[Bigbadbaz]

Hi Folks

In the last couple of weeks I have experienced a couple of problems starting my trusty steed. The first was when I was sat in heavy traffic with no means of filtering so I turned the ignition off. I went to turn it on approx 5-10 mins later and it turned over really slow no ignition. I first thought duff battery and as it did not fire up I had the embarrassing situation of pushing across two lanes to the hard shoulder. Whilst I contemplated ringing the breakdown I tried it once more and she fired up. Happy Days! I rode off thinking loose battery terminals and checked them and they were fine.
I thought maybe a gremlin/ quirky moment until it has happened twice since. The bike turns over really slowly as if a flat battery but the headlight looks bright. Thankfully turning off and waiting to try again a few moments later we have ignition.
So before I have to call out the breakdown I have some time on my hands next week so thought I might look at trying to remedy the problem myself. The battery is on an optimate each night and although probably 4 years old I doubt the bike has done 6000 miles in that time.
So starter relay? Starter motor? Battery? Any suggestions would be really appreciated!

Cheers

Baz


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[Fanum]

These times when it turns over really slowly and doesn't fire, you wait and then it does fire up next time.......
Does the engine spin up at normal speed just before it starts, or is it cranking still very slowly but manages to start anyway?

In other words, is it the cranking speed that is intermittent, or the actual starting?

 

[Bigbadbaz]

As far as I recall the cranking speed seems slow too when it does not fire but When it does fire the cranking seems fine but it starts quickly when it works!


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[Roger 04 RT]

Magnets or planetary gear cover inside the starter are jamming it. BTDT.

 

[Bigbadbaz]

Strip down of the starter motor then. Cheers for advice folks!!


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[Bigbadbaz]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207984.


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[Fanum]

You're going to have to take the SM out, so as you do that, double check that its earth is solid and clean.

Odd things happen with large currents, heat, expansion and so on.

FWIW though I suspect it will be the starter magnets or general crud associated with them.

 

[topcat2006]

I had similar and the grease shield had become detached on the SM and was shorting it out. I removed the shield, regreased the SM and 25,000 miles later it is fine.

 

[Bigbadbaz]

Folks thanks for the advice. I need the bike back on the road for a trip to Bristol on Friday so I have bought a new starter motor from Moto Electrical in Norfolk for less than £90 inc delivery as knowing my luck it will probably be beyond repair and time will not be on my side! I will replace old for new and then open up the old one to have a look at my leisure. Thanks again


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