klick

[thrupp]

Hi there, recently bought a 1200gs. Was running fine for 400miles on the way home. Was sitting in the front yard since two weeks with the alarm activated. yesterday tried to start, but starter motor wouldn t kick in. Lights are fine and all the electrics are fine.
Took the battery out and put it on the charger which after 10 minutes of charging believes the battery is fine and shows green light.
Still no joy. The only response from the bike is a shy klick from under the seat.
I am sure this has happended a hundret times before to other tossers.
Anyone out there who can help?

Thanks

Thomas

 

[Beemerman59]

Sounds just like a low or duff battery and I doubt the charger could do a lot in only 10 minutes.

 

[thrupp]

i agree. the charger wouzld need a few hours. i am just puzzled that it shows a green light indicating the battrery is full.

But maybe the charger is just stupid?

 

[JPR]

Batterys fecked.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Easy test, jump start it off the car, if it goes its the battery if it doesn't its either the solenoid or starter. My money is on the battery though.

 

[beatmeier]

The starter relay under the seat is mounted in a block........check the cables going into it from below........mine were heavily corroded and I had just the same symptom . . .....it's a fifty cent repair

 

[Pukmeister]

The starter relay under the seat is mounted in a block........check the cables going into it from below........mine were heavily corroded and I had just the same symptom . . .....it's a fifty cent repair

Depends on the age of the bike. Later ones don't have the relay.

My guess is that battery has been through so may charge/discharge cycles that the plates have sulphated and the battery has no capacity left, hence your charger is fooled into giving you the green light after only 10 mins.

The bike may not necessarily jump start immediately if the battery is shot, as the duff cells drag down the terminal voltage to the starter when connected in parallel with the good cell.

 

[Mr K]

Don't think it's the battery.
Starter motor or solenoid.

 

[Pukmeister]

When my 2004 bike did this, it was the wires on the back of the relay socket beheath the seat that had corroded out. Fixed under warranty.

Like I say, the newer bikes (2007 onward IIRC) don't have the relay under the seat.

 

[Magwych]

Depends on the age of the bike. Later ones don't have the relay.

.

Yes they do, it has been relocated under the ZFE; and is a real pain to get at

I guess they put it there to reduce the corrosion on the terminals. It does sound like it could be a relay issue, but could equally be corrosion on the starter terminals. I believe the earlier models suffered problems where the high-current cable connects to the starter.

Might be worthwhile removing the battery the checking the starter cable connections; but also a good idea to check with jump cables from a car to the battery terminals as Marki-GSA says. It should only take a few minutes and will point you in the right direction.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Stick it on charge over night and report back. My money is on a flat battery. Two weeks standing with alarm on is enough to flatten battery.

Suggest getting a trickle charger if you are going to leave it unused over a week. Eg optimate. Wire direct to battery via fused cable.

 

[tanneman]

Optimate will run a desulfination program if the cells are a bit used and past their best. What really matters is the Amp/Hour output. If the strength of the battery is depleted and cannot be rescued by an optimate and new acid then it is bye bye battery. Go for a Shorai to save weight, but you'll need a special charger for the lithium iron phosphate? (LiFePo4) type battery which they sell. Very positive reviews on ADVrider.com.

 

[Bendy toy]

Ballistic batteries are cheaper than the above Shorai and being the originals should be better quality.

Based on the cold cranking current (CCA), this suggests the 8 cell or 12 cell would do the job.

http://www.thefnt.co.uk/online-shop...component-batteries/ballistic-8-cell-battery/

http://www.thefnt.co.uk/online-shop...omponent-batteries/ballistic-12-cell-battery/

There is an internet review on the Shorai but it wasnt a proper test as the bikes were stored at 50F (10C) so the batteries were not under much stress. However they did say the terminals are weak. Hardly ideal for something expected to outlast a normal battery.