Need a little help...bike has cut out

Slipperyeel

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Right now. Stuck on the A4 near Metz. Last day of return home. Meant to be at the tunnel for about 3. Don't think that's gonna happen now...

Stopped at the Pèage. Rode out as normal, heading down hill. Bike just suddenly cut out! Pulled over. Now on roadside.

When I turn on the ignition, I have normal electrics, lights are on etc. But when I press the starter, it's dead. Nothing.

I've had the seats off, checked all obvious connections, checked my recent work. Everything is tight, not chaffing, no scorched connections.

Is it an earth connection?? I have no wires to bypass straight to the starter to check.

Any thoughts will be welcome!!!



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Oh crap!

Is it possible it is a shorted/bust starter? You should see some discoloration on the casing due to heat I think.
I know it's very unpractical with a loaded bike, but are you able to jump start it since the lights come on, or dead in that case too?

Hope you get back on the road soon, Rodin!
 
Bugger . Sorry to hear that . Hope you get some proper advice .

Not fuel related ?
In the old days Steptoe would have popped up with some clues but these days he’s focussing more on photos of his breakfast 😜
 
Thanks Emilio. It's a proper pain.

I've just had a look at the starter and it looks all normal.
It has behaved its impeccable self the whole journey. Then bang. Nothing.

As I pulled over (it's downhill) I did try bump starting as I rolled. But nothing

I think if I had a cable to bypass the usual earth, I could rule out the earth and even get home with it strapped up like that. I'm only thinking the earth because I seem to have all the other electrics.

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Bugger . Sorry to hear that . Hope you get some proper advice .

Not fuel related ?
In the old days Steptoe would have popped up with some clues but these days he’s focussing more on photos of his breakfast
Thanks for the idea - which I like! But that wouldn't make it cut out?

I could do with some breakfast

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Update on ideas...

I've noticed - noticed when I stopped actually but only just joining dots.

I've noticed the alarm is not coming in any more after ignition off. Nor is it disarming with ignition on.

I'm wondering if it's the friggin immobiliser???

I did replace the batteries when I had the seat cowling off recently. I did unplug the mail loom into it when I thought I was going to fit the EzCan... There's nothing on the dash, no error messages at all.

If it's the alarm, any ideas on that, apart from throw it in the bin

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Being picked up.

Alarm behaving strangely. It does work as the when I sat on it to get it onto the truck, it went off... I can cancel with the fob, but it doesn't respond otherwise.
So I think the immobiliser is doing its thing

Based on this, I'm wondering about dropping the tail light etc. Lowering the mudguard and checking the loom plug into the unit. If it's not that (it coming loose) then I'm out of ideas

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Being picked up.

Alarm behaving strangely. It does work as the when I sat on it to get it onto the truck, it went off... I can cancel with the fob, but it doesn't respond otherwise.
So I think the immobiliser is doing its thing

Based on this, I'm wondering about dropping the tail light etc. Lowering the mudguard and checking the loom plug into the unit. If it's not that (it coming loose) then I'm out of ideas

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Does this help ?

5BC1F595-6A4C-4B5C-9D9D-3E3BEDCA4F4D.jpg


Probably not 😜
 
I dont think its the immobiliser or ring anttenna

as once they are in run mode, they are designed not to activate for the reason of driving etc

sidestand switch, gear position sensor, and clutch lever sensor would be my first ports of call
 
I dont think its the immobiliser or ring anttenna

as once they are in run mode, they are designed not to activate for the reason of driving etc

sidestand switch, gear position sensor, and clutch lever sensor would be my first ports of call
Thanks Santa. I must admit that thinking would seem right. But I also wonder what happens if the unit is unplugged while riding? Does the software account for that? Not a normal occurrence that might bypass that thinking?

I did try starting with the clutch held in, sidestand up, though not sure that's a way to test them.

The fact I have all the other electrics but zilch from the starter and the alarm not doing it's beeps with ignition on/off is what has lead my thinking to the unit maybe being partially unplugged... But I'm open to other ideas!

I have my GS911 with me, so as soon as this place I'm in let's me back into the pound I'm going to plug it in and see what I get. Thinking there should be an error if some kind of it's the plug disconnected?

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Further update.

I'm now in. After lunch
Persuaded them to let me use their garage space so I can look into the alarm, physically eyeball the plug.

Before that. I've just plugged in the GS911. Screenshots below.

I've ringed the one meaningful faults that's present. The other is just the exhaust flappy valve.

So... Can anyone interpret this?
Couldn't it be the ring antenna? I have a spare with me! But would that make the alarm behave as it is?
And would it fail just like that?!



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And here's the pic
35aa65d2ededd8d0eb9e498d816fb7bf.jpg


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Hope it helps.
From a Google search, and Adventure rider, short version,

“Next I started disconnecting Stick Coils one at a time.

When I disconnected the Left Secondary coil, the faults went away and the bike started without issue. I reconnected it and the faults returned and the bike would not start.

I was worried it might be the harness so I temporarily relocate the Right Secondary Coil and temp connected it to the left side and the faults never returned.”

1763991377810.jpg
 
Hope it helps.
From a Google search, and Adventure rider, short version,

“Next I started disconnecting Stick Coils one at a time.

When I disconnected the Left Secondary coil, the faults went away and the bike started without issue. I reconnected it and the faults returned and the bike would not start.

I was worried it might be the harness so I temporarily relocate the Right Secondary Coil and temp connected it to the left side and the faults never returned.”

View attachment 461714
Really appreciate this. Thanks.
First I'm going to eliminate that the loom plug to the alarm unit hasn't come out.

***Anyone got advice on how to remove the tail light with number plate.

Got the three screws out. But I have the pannier frames on. Do they stop it coming out? Never had this off before! ***

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Given the circumstances, I would suspect (guess) a coil has shorted.

If checking alarm behaviour, then make sure the area you are in is not near phone masts, military bases or anywhere that emits powerful RF (EMI) that might disrupt signals from the alarm remote.
 
Update 3

Plug into the alarm unit is all good.
Checked the ring antenna with my spare (making the assumption it works!).

No go. No change.

So right now I'm going to check the coils....

Will report back. Though I'm still unclear why this would stop the alarm working (at ignition on/off) ?

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This is what came up from a Google search of the fault code. I assume you’ve already done this.IMG_1958.jpg
 
Update 4

It's not the coils based disconnecting one by one (obviously leaving all the other coils connected as one was disconnected each time - just in case someone asks!)

So now I'm stumped.

Power loss was sudden with no earlier warnings whatsoever.

Yesterday I passed through Switzerland.. It was -8° most of the way, increasing to -4°, then 0° in Baden Baden where I stopped for the night. A long day. Has the salt done something??

As you can see, I'm at bit of a loss right now. Here for the night. BMW dealer tomorrow. I need a beer!

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