It runs like a bag of nails

[Brother Vain]

I have a '05 GS with 12K miles. Two weeks ago it began to run like a 'bag of nails'. In particluar, if the throuttle was shut off then wound on agian the engine would almost stall. The engine 'hunts' on tick over. The dealer replaced the lamda sensors, which were corroded apparently, and reset the engine management system (as it had set itself to safe mode). All was fine until 3 miles up the road and it began to run like a bag of nails again. Has anyone else had a similar issue?

 

[Mick_rw]

Mine....

I have a '05 GS with 12K miles. Two weeks ago it began to run like a 'bag of nails'. In particluar, if the throuttle was shut off then wound on agian the engine would almost stall. The engine 'hunts' on tick over. The dealer replaced the lamda sensors, which were corroded apparently, and reset the engine management system (as it had set itself to safe mode). All was fine until 3 miles up the road and it began to run like a bag of nails again. Has anyone else had a similar issue?

used to do that then after replacing the hall sensor it was cured.....

PS. Just noticed your a 1200, mine is a 1150GS... don't suppose my comment is of any use to you...Sorry

 

[Rob Farmer]

The diagnostic software would probably show a fault code indicating that the lamda sensor was faulty. Bike and car dealers always replace the sensors but the problem is usually a fault causing the sensor to go into a fault condition. I had this with my Subaru and it took 6 weeks for the fecking idiots to find the fault. They repeatedly swapped the sensors (and blamed poor connections) when the fault was clearly somewhere else ...and breath!

Your fault is obviously not a faulty sensor but how you are going to persuade a dipshit, stuck up his own arse BMW mechanic that it isn't is anybodies guess.

Hopefully one of the guys will have had a similar experience (there's bound to be at least one with it being a 1200 )

 

[cookiemonster]

I share your pain, but cant help...

My 05 GS has had a bizarre idle problem for 6 months or so. Its been in 3 times to be looked at and every time it goes in the problem disappears. I'm sure Vines think I'm just lonely and want someone to talk to...

Anyway. Fire it up and alls fine for a couple of minutes and then off we go - idle will sit at 1800 - 2000rpm or oscilate between 1200 and 1800 with a frequency of a couple of seconds.

All cables and leads have been checked and are fine, everything is plugged where it should be plugged and I can see an "physical" problem. If i kill the engine and let it all reset then it'll idle fine for few minutes before going back to its old behaviour. To me this suggests I'm dealing with an electronic / sensor fault. I'm thinking temperature sensor as the symptoms are as if a choke is on.

Last week has been really bad, so i'm going to try again with Vines next week and see if i get anywhere... if i do i'll let you know

jon

 

[Paul Mac]

This is a long shot as I am sure dealers will have checked this BUT for others who experience bad running on a 1200GS, have a look at the rubber covers on throttle sync tube take offs. Mine were perished and leaking air causing crap running. I notice that now BMW are fitting an updated more substantial design. As an aside these are really easy to nick so if you're going on a long trip miles from anywhere it might be prudent to take some spares along. Without em or if they leak the bike is a dog !!!
Regards Paul Mac Yorkshire UK

 

[Haggerstoner]

Sorry I have no answer but a similar problem since my bike went in for its 12000 mile service last week. Knew it was a mistake, it had been running perfectly (I seem to have one of the good ones only had one problem in 2 years which was a fuel pump failure). Now it runs like shit.

 

[Steptoe]

Wonder if this could be the spark plug coil caps - they're the same as fitted to the 1150 twin spark and they're always giving problems.

The 1150 twin spark only has one of these each side, the other spark is provided by a normal coil and plug cap.

The 1200 uses them on all four plugs ( £54 each )

You could try pulling them off in rotation, so only one plug a cylinder is firing, if the engine only runs on one cylinder, you've found the faulty cap .

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Neil, is this what they call Deja Vu?

 

[Brother Vain]

Wonder if this could be the spark plug coil caps - they're the same as fitted to the 1150 twin spark and they're always giving problems.

The 1150 twin spark only has one of these each side, the other spark is provided by a normal coil and plug cap.

The 1200 uses them on all four plugs ( £54 each )

You could try pulling them off in rotation, so only one plug a cylinder is firing, if the engine only runs on one cylinder, you've found the faulty cap .

Guys thank you for your thoughts and advice. I have now had plugs replaced to NGK's (not standard on this model apparently). Same old problem though, ran well for 3 miles and now 'bag of nails' again. arrrrrrr. If there are any other pearls of wisdom I'd be happy to hear them. Next stop is homeopathic remedies

 

[GS TRV]

Have you priced an 1150?

 

[Packer]

Does this only happen after the engine has warmed up?

Could is be an air leak in the induction system? I'm sure I read soemwhere this causes issues.

 

[the civil one]

Long Shot

Take off the Left hand Cover , then remove the Wee Cylindrical cover
thats the Fuel pump housing , which holds Water .
If theres water in there , that could well be your problem.

Ohh £80 of your Queens Sovs to replace the corroded ends !

 

[Brother Vain]

It still runs like a bag of nails

Thanks again guys. Tried looking at fuel pump housing and dry as a bone. Visit to the dealer in the new year. If and when resolved I will post update. Have a great Xmas and New Year.