OK... It broke down!

[jtw000]

The GS I love so much finally broke down. I stopped to go into a shop, came out and it wouldn't start. Now I don't think it's a FPC failure, this is an electrical fault and i suspect the ring antenna. I put the key in and either nothing happens or the display comes on dimly. Either way when i get a normal screen and press the starter it clicks and then it all dies out. Oddly it had a set of spots wired externally from the CANBUS and they could not get power either although the sat nav did. Removing everything, including the newly fitted HID didn't help one bit.
What does this sound like to those in the know?

 

[Mr K]

Sounds like your battery has discharged.

 

[jtw000]

Well no, if I fiddle with the key it sometimes came on as normal, although the lights didn't come on and only when I pressed the start did it all die out. I have an alarm which activated and the key wouldn't turn off which it always has before. Also, when the alarm went off the indicators didn't flash.

 

[Beemerman59]

I would say battery too. There may be enough juice to do some things that require little current but once you try and draw too much then nothing. Can you charge the battery or get a boost from somewhere?

 

[smartbear]

alarming

sounds as though your alarm may be foobard

 

[RickG]

Battery flat or knackered, or if you are lucky a lousy battery connection. Diagnosis as per Beemerman all points to lack of amps and nothing more.

 

[wully]

Shagged battery probably caused by dodgy wiring/poor earth....

 

[Pukmeister]

Faulty ignition switch (if battery terminal voltage is correct).

Ring antenna would trigger an EWS warning in the RID.

 

[jtw000]

Whats an EWS and an RID? The red light on the dash that normally flashes when the alarm is on was on solidly if that's it.

 

[Big Nick]

Another vote for the battery being knackered

If you haven't got 'EWS' showing on the dash its unlikely to be the ring antenna

 

[karnevil]

Whats an EWS and an RID? The red light on the dash that normally flashes when the alarm is on was on solidly if that's it.

RID.Rider Information Display IIRC

 

[Paulenglish]

Mine did exactly this last week- recovered and battery replaced- all's well again

 

[jtw000]

I think I've narrowed it down to a short. too dark now to do a proper exploration and working now until Sunday. Luckily I've got a dodgy little Honda which i've not ridden in 4 months. Started fist time on the botton. Was i wrong to buy a Beemer???

 

[RickG]

I think I've narrowed it down to a short. too dark now to do a proper exploration and working now until Sunday. Luckily I've got a dodgy little Honda which i've not ridden in 4 months. Started fist time on the botton. Was i wrong to buy a Beemer???

Still think it's your battery mate as the all lights dimming when you press the starter is a giveaway and very unlikley to be to due to a short else something important would be smoking if that much current is being dumped across it from a healthy battery.

As to last question, no. Just need to also buy a new battery, probably.

Serously, can you not try charging it up and seeing if that makes a difference, or far preferably swap it for a known good one like off a mate or your dodgy little honda if it's a similar size?

 

[boarder]

Just had very similar symptoms on mine. BMW repairman tested battery and got very odd results (which he didn't understand). Put new (but been on shelf long time) battery on - that didn't work either, then on went a brand spanking new battery, and hey presto all's well again.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

'...or your dodgy little honda if it's a similar size?' Now; come on, be reasonable. That is NOT going to start a 1200GS under any circumastances!

 

[jtw000]

The bike had spotlights fitted and with the wiring removed I could still light them with only the connection to the positive terminal. I reckon there could have been a short that's caused a battery problem. I do love this bike but it's costing me a hell of a lot of money!

 

[grus]

Well no, if I fiddle with the key it sometimes came on as normal, although the lights didn't come on and only when I pressed the start did it all die out. I have an alarm which activated and the key wouldn't turn off which it always has before. Also, when the alarm went off the indicators didn't flash.

Hello.
This is my first time on this forum and I hope I di it the right way.

Me and my friend was out riding last week and the same thing happened to him. He had to change the battery.

 

[karnevil]

The bike had spotlights fitted and with the wiring removed I could still light them with only the connection to the positive terminal. I reckon there could have been a short that's caused a battery problem. I do love this bike but it's costing me a hell of a lot of money!

You will the bike is still negative earthed thru the frame anything mounted to the frame so long as not insulated will be wired to the neg terminal of the battery.If the lights ar thru a relay then the rely may be stuck on or wired incorrectly.

 

[hiup]

Battery