Lazy starter motor

[rc mad]

I think it just needs to be told to buck it's ideas up.

 

[bumpy]

I have been told by BMW that hot engines have higher compression in the cylinders than cold engines. This would explain why its more difficult for a battery to start a hot engine.

 

[Granny]

Lazy starter motor-Solution!!!

I thought it worth posting that a solution seems to have been found as quite a few respondents seemed to be having similar issues..

After my checking electrical connections, tugging at wires etc I admitted defeat and took it to Barrie Robson, BMW dealer in York as a warranty matter. My selection of dealer in this respect being based on strong recommendations as to their technical skills.

Within half an hour or so their excellent mechanic had the starter motor off (after checking and approving the condition of the battery) and surmised (and I hope I have got the description correct) that a plate that seperates the armature from the various gears was incorrectly located-probably during original assembly. This apparently causes binding when hot and loss of performance that leads to the intermittent problem.

So far the problem has not returned and the starter motor feels much more eager to do its intended job.

 

[ebbo]

Glad your sorted Granny, jus thought I’d say mines been difficult to turn over for a year now (only when cold), thought it was probably the battery but its not getting any worse (battery is original and about 5 ½ years old). May take a look at the starter motor bushes and bearings this winter, can't do any harm can it... Hmmm.

 

[flatdog]

I have been told by BMW that hot engines have higher compression in the cylinders than cold engines. This would explain why its more difficult for a battery to start a hot engine.

Sounds like an old wives tale to me..
Heat in cylinders will help firing process, oil will be nice and thin, battery warm and fully charged.

But a cold engine will have thicker oil/cold components etc = more drag.

 

[deaninkl]

I'm on my forth batery in 4 years, when the go there is little warning...just the death click. The only simptom is a lazy starter, I'd advise you change the battery. You will be stranded somewhere when it does go pop, or at best, a little pissed at home with a dead batery.

 

[Tinytim]

I'm on my forth batery in 4 years, when the go there is little warning...just the death click. The only simptom is a lazy starter, I'd advise you change the battery.

So ya have a fifth battery ready? 'Kinell !

You will be stranded somewhere when it does go pop, or at best, a little pissed at home with a dead batery.

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


If, for the symptoms alone.

 

[bumpy]

Sounds like an old wives tale to me..
Heat in cylinders will help firing process, oil will be nice and thin, battery warm and fully charged.

But a cold engine will have thicker oil/cold components etc = more drag.

Oh dear, how gullible am I. They used this description to justify a hot starting issue on my BMW bike (G650GS) and like a fool I believed them

You are absolutely right.

 

[GS30]

My 2010, 30 years anniversary R1200GS does exactly the same, my local independant BM specialist, who I trust implicitly, carried out all the usual checks and, lo and behold, nada, it does seem strange though, I've had the bike from new and it never used to do this, will keep searching tho.

 

[kwallace21]

Starter

Mine is lazy too. Sometimes seems like it won't turn but always starts albeit turning slowly.

 

[Granny]

I have always been wary of unconvincing starter motors following this experience and now many bikes later (from my original post in 2011) I am happy with my GT1600 which just needs a mere caress of the button. A recent water cooled GSA also spun up happily. Even my dalliance with an Electra glide was never marred by sluggish starting although there were other issues.

Looking back though the worst I ever had in terms of electric starting was a 1974 Norton Commando which when cold needed both kick start and electric start simultaneously

 

[Bendy toy]

Test the battery with jump leads from a car battery. Don't run the car engine.
If it turns significantly faster the battery may be weak.
The starter is not difficult to strip. The four brushes are a bit fiddly so I held then up with zip ties to be cut off once the rotor was in place.
The starter gears were one dry so got a good dose of grease.
Also check the main earth connector on top of engine to the back of alternator.
BTW Shorai lithium batteries with 250CCA are around £75 on eBay.
Lead acids lose their starting punch when 30% discharged. Lithium gives full whack to nearly dead flat so can be a lot smaller.

Sent via iPhone so expect strange words

 

[Reggie P]

The performance of electric starters - well you'd expect them to be similar !
I'm informed by one who knows about these things that they vary a lot.
The title of the thread is a good description.

 

[StewMcGrew]

Mine was doing the same thing. eventually would only turn over on 2 - 3 presses of the starter button. BMW replaced the starter motor and all is well in the world