maybe more than a battery problem

sword

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Hello All I may have a bigger or more complicated problem with my gs 1150 than I thought.I thought it was a flat battery so charged it up and refitted it but when I tried to start the bike the engine turned over a couple of times started twice sounded awful and then died.There was not enough power to turn it over again and all I got was that clattering sound of the starter motor.This is a bike that has given me no trouble whatsoever since I bought it off this site over two years ago and used it regularly. So I really need some of the sound advice that this site is brilliant for .Thank you
 
sword said:
Hello All I may have a bigger or more complicated problem with my gs 1150 than I thought.I thought it was a flat battery so charged it up and refitted it but when I tried to start the bike the engine turned over a couple of times started twice sounded awful and then died.There was not enough power to turn it over again and all I got was that clattering sound of the starter motor.This is a bike that has given me no trouble whatsoever since I bought it off this site over two years ago and used it regularly. So I really need some of the sound advice that this site is brilliant for .Thank you
Click to expand...

check the magnets inside the starter motor.
they tend to get unglued from the case.

how-to here: http://advwisdom.hogranch.com/Wisdom/squeaking_starter.pdf
 
I'm still going with knackered battery - if it's really shot it won't have enough in it to run the engine even if you get it started. Try jumping it off a car battery or something and see if it starts / runs ok (leave the battery connected while it's running). This should tell you if it's the battery or not.

After all this, a motronic reset might be in order too (although I haven't got an 1150 so someone else will have to advise about this).
 
MattW said:
I'm still going with knackered battery - try jumping it off a car battery or something and see if it starts / runs ok (leave the battery connected while it's running). This should tell you if it's the battery or not.
Click to expand...

+1, take it to an auto electrical specialist and ask him to test it if you don't have another vehicle and leads to jump from.
 
John Armstrong said:
You might have knackered the starter by trying to start it with a knackered battery.

£60 from Motorworks for the battery, over £150 for the starter :eek:
Click to expand...

but do a search on here as there are starters from certain cars that I believe will fit and are much cheaper, maybe available from a breakers.

Personally I can't see how a flat or faulty battery could cause starter failure as it would only result in less power to the motor. Happy to be corrected on that though if I'm wrong.
 
With regard to the bike sounding awful when it did run (briefly) are you sure you haven't dislodged a throttle cable from its seat when refitting the battery? Apart from that it sounds to me like the battery is toast.
 
I am just thawing out

after spending the last while in the garage trying various options to start the bike including jump starting from another battery which was not great to begin with and is now on charge.Did I get another battery yet,No as I am very reluctant to part with the asked for 130 euro plus if I don't need to.But if I have no success tomorrow I will have to track down a battery supplier here in Dublin.Would anyone like to suggest one or failing that the name of a UK supplier who will ship one over.
 
Starters from certain cars? Wossat then? Which cars will they be?
 
Small Peugeots and Citroens use Valeo D6RA starter motor. As I understand it you need the BMW starter engagement drive, but the basic starter motor is the same. I recall reading on one of the forums that some of the starters run in the opposite direction. I'm afraid I don't have the definitive answer on this; however, if (when) mine goes I'll take it to one of the places dealing in replacement Valeo starter motors and ask them to find a suitable replacement. It's got to be cheaper than being mugged by BMW.
 
Trullion said:
Small Peugeots and Citroens use Valeo D6RA starter motor. As I understand it you need the BMW starter engagement drive, but the basic starter motor is the same. I recall reading on one of the forums that some of the starters run in the opposite direction. I'm afraid I don't have the definitive answer on this; however, if (when) mine goes I'll take it to one of the places dealing in replacement Valeo starter motors and ask them to find a suitable replacement. It's got to be cheaper than being mugged by BMW.
Click to expand...

The car starter motors can certainly donate the parts to fix the loose magnet problem, if theres a starter motor reconditioners near you they would easily be able to repair yours at a fraction of the cost of a new one, have you dismantled your starter yet? its pretty simple and you will rapidly know if your starter is the problem.
Stewart
 
you've all the symptoms of a duff battery, once you get the bike started it would be worth checking the voltage across the battery to check your alternators okay, should be about 14v with only the headlight on.

HTH
 
I had a similar problem recently, the clue for me is that you say it started twice!! I had a similar problem - bike wouldn't start, turnover sound like the battery was dying, checked battery fine, tested alternator - fine, got starter reconditioned - fine then I discovered it was the idle speed that was causing it......

What happened was everytime I charged the battery the bike started once. Then when I switched it off it wouldn't start again and I got the rattling starter motor sound......then the battery started to die also.

When you get it started first time, check the idle speed. If its around 600 or 700 adjust the big brass screws evenly on each side until its at about 1100 rpm and it will solve the problem........thats if your problem is same as mine. Its worth a try before you start hawking out starter motors and doing alternator tests etc.....

Its an easy solve if thats what the problem is....
 
Just had this on my ADV, depending how old the battery is, it probably needs replacing. My standard Varta was £50.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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