Odd starting issue

[Fobyac]

Hi Newbie here.

Sorry if this is common knowledge (I had a quick skim through the forum but nothing leapt out at me so..).

My 2017 1200GS has developed an odd starting issue. It's hard to describe but the starter turns the motor half a turn then kicks out (much like an old Bendix starter motor used to do). Annoyingly I have to turn the ignition off and on again to retry it. Up until recently it was just now and then so I put it down to German quirkyness but lately it's got worse - this morning it took 5 or 6 attempts before the starter engaged properly and we started as normal.

The battery is good, it -eventually - starts and runs as it should (although the other day on a wet ride to work, it decided to cut out at idle a couple of times for no reason - could be a clue there). There are no warning lights or expensive grindy noises - it just does the half turn and kicks out (you can hear it kicking out so it's not a weak starter etc)

I'm hoping that my newbieness has missed an obvious known cause where I simply have to poke something with a screwdriver and be on my way. Otherwise am I in for a world of pain?

TIA

 

[Victor c]

Possibly a faulty decompressor issue. If you do a search on this forum, there is plenty of information on starting issues.

 

[Hann]

The battery is good,

Is it though?
Have you tested it or measured the voltage across the battery terminals during cranking?
Anything less than ~9V suggests the battery is getting tired.
It could also be the actual starter motor getting tired, too - poor/high resistance connections, worn brushes, internal corrosion that sort of thing. If it is the starter it can most likely be stripped, serviced and brought back to full performance easily enough.
What do you mean exactly by `kicking out` - what do you hear?
The starter doesn`t `engage` on the 1200`s as such it`s permanently engaged but with drive disconnected by a sprag clutch.

From what you describe (i`ve had this on other bikes) what could be happening is that the compromised starter system does not have enough ooomph to keep cranking the engine over against the developing compression pressure and when the plugs fire it turns the engine backwards instead of over TDC causing the engine to stall.
Or, could it be that the clever BMW electronics is sensing there is something amiss during the cranking event and aborting? Who knows, that`s a guess.
Do the 1200`s have the auto decompressor on the camshafts?

Are there any odd noises heard at the same time as the engine `kicks out`?

 

[squibb34]

If the suggestions provided already check out, then I'm wondering if it could be the cam position sensor - IIRC there is a re-alignment procedure (dealer or GS911)

 

[Fullchat]

Classic 'battery on the way out' symptom.

 

[adamw357]

I have a 2017 TE Exclusive 18,000 miles and it exhibits the exact traits to the letter as Fobyac suggests.

It feels like the starter is fighting the engine compression and only turns for a fraction of a second before stopping and then nothing - I need to switch off and back on and try again.

Doesn't always do it but seems to be getting more frequent. Also doesn't seem to matter if the engine is hot or cold.

No codes showing on MotoScan.

All the battery connections are good so I'm going to check cranking voltage the starter out next.

 

[Bem]

Battery.
For both of you.

 

[Public girl 1973]

Hi Newbie here.

Sorry if this is common knowledge (I had a quick skim through the forum but nothing leapt out at me so..).

My 2017 1200GS has developed an odd starting issue. It's hard to describe but the starter turns the motor half a turn then kicks out (much like an old Bendix starter motor used to do). Annoyingly I have to turn the ignition off and on again to retry it. Up until recently it was just now and then so I put it down to German quirkyness but lately it's got worse - this morning it took 5 or 6 attempts before the starter engaged properly and we started as normal.

The battery is good, it -eventually - starts and runs as it should (although the other day on a wet ride to work, it decided to cut out at idle a couple of times for no reason - could be a clue there). There are no warning lights or expensive grindy noises - it just does the half turn and kicks out (you can hear it kicking out so it's not a weak starter etc)

I'm hoping that my newbieness has missed an obvious known cause where I simply have to poke something with a screwdriver and be on my way. Otherwise am I in for a world of pain?

TIA

Got exactly the same on my 2018 GSA and thought it may be battery or the starter motor. I put it on trickle charge and it has never done it since in the last dozen starts, so wonder if it was a week battery. Have you tried to same, ie put it on trickle charge?

 

[Bravo]

Battery, my RS had been standing two weeks and had the same problem, the cold didn't help matter but it eventually fired up.