Problems Starting 1200GSA This morn

[NoBridgeTooFar]

...oh - and forgot to say, it's got 20/50W in too...

 

[Ali-bear]

I suppose if it was an emergency you could wee on it ... oh hang on I think that's part of the pre-delivery inspection isn't it

 

[Shep]

Well the bike went for a service, and I pointed out the cold start problem, they checked the battery and pronounced it OK

They did say they would approach BMW as they (bahnstormers) had suffered the same with some of the shop bikes, we'll wait and see.

Shep

 

[Shep]

Just to add to this story, I fitted a Hawker Oddessy a month or so back but the cold start problem is still there, cranking power/speed is better but the engine still fails to catch when the weather is very cold.

After I had reported the problem through Bahnstormers, a couple of weeks back i got a call from Jodie to say that BMW have asked if I could take the bike back for tests on a couple of the senders. These turned out to test OK but the fuel pump electronics were changed just to see if there was any improvement, just have to wait till the next cold morning again.

When the 'senders' were tested it was at 15 deg workshop type cold not the -5deg cold the problem occours at, so nothing was learnt really, shame.

Jodie did say that BMW are now saying you can use 10-40 oil as an option if the ambient temperature drops.

Shep

 

[Paul Mac]

The problem is that the battery is only just large enough in Ampere Hours to start the bike in ideal conditions. During warm summer months this is OK as the battery can give more power out as the temperature doesn't diminish it's already small capacity and the engine oil is not so thick due to low temperatures. In winter of course it's a different story, everything is against the bike starting and unless the battery is in top condition it doesn't have the umph to overcome all the obstacles and unless the bike starts on the 1st or 2nd attempt then unfortunately in all probability it isn't going to start - the dreaded click is the all too common outcome after another couple of failed attempts. I overcame this proiblem on my 1200GS by buying a portable power unit from a car accesoory outlet and just connected this up to the battery and this always worked OK for me. My bikes live outside so an optimate isn't a practical proposition for me.

 

[PETELU]

DONT LEAVE YOUR BIKE ON CHARGE UNATTENED WITH OPTIMATE A FRIEND OF MINE LOST HIS FIREBLADE,CYCLES,SCOOTER ETC IN A FIRE LAST YEAR BEWARE <<<<<<<

 

[Captain GSA]

The problem is that the battery is only just large enough in Ampere Hours to start the bike in ideal conditions. During warm summer months this is OK as the battery can give more power out as the temperature doesn't diminish it's already small capacity and the engine oil is not so thick due to low temperatures. In winter of course it's a different story, everything is against the bike starting and unless the battery is in top condition it doesn't have the umph to overcome all the obstacles and unless the bike starts on the 1st or 2nd attempt then unfortunately in all probability it isn't going to start - the dreaded click is the all too common outcome after another couple of failed attempts. I overcame this proiblem on my 1200GS by buying a portable power unit from a car accesoory outlet and just connected this up to the battery and this always worked OK for me. My bikes live outside so an optimate isn't a practical proposition for me.

The bike will start after the third fourth or fith attempt in cold conditions....
in all probability......just need to give it a little twist..don't ust keep pressing the starter for ages if it hasn't fired up after a couple of turns..stop and try again... if you keep topping up these batteries a little bit here and there for the sake of it then you will start to have biggeer problems....

 

[Gazzabart]

mine

Hi Ty
sorry to throw a spanner in the works
but as you know we went to Bastogne / Ardenne forest middle of Dec 2007
2 x GSA 2006 same as yours
from about 06.00 to 09.00 the weather for the 4 days was -9 every day
the bikes were covered in ice BUT the bikes started everytime on the button
no probs at all with starting in the zero temperatures

just trying to get to the bottom of the fault

BUT while i remember the problem my mate had in those temps was his ABS failed twice - driving down the road and upon braking both times NO brakes

good luck Ty

see ya soon

Gaz

 

[CZAR]

Hi Guys,

Had problem starting my 1200GSA this morn. I left it out over night, the 1st time ever, and went to start it this morn and took 4 attemps to start, normally starts on the 1st. It seemed as thou not enough power in the battery. My question is could the cold have caused an issue, I live in the sticks so temp could have got down to -2 / -3. Anyone else had problems starting in extreme cold?


Cheers


Ty

100% battery problem. Special if you had alert system ON all night.

Tell us about - after starting - ABS "DIAGNOSIS "signal on your screen it was ok or you have had error ?

 

[CZAR]

Hi Guys,

Just spoke to Castol technical dept and posed the question to them. The guy I spoke to said that the 20/50 is a little bit thick for this type of weather and that the Castrol 15/40 GTX would be a better oil use. I have also spoken to Jody the service manager at Bahnstomers who will also throw the question at BMW technical. So should get a answer back in the next few days, will keep you posted


cheers


Ty

Correct. Here in Greece - Athens area - we used ARAL 20/50.

But our "friend" problem I believed it come from battery

My opinion always in any case

 

[BMW TEKKY]

"We get this occasionally Sir, I think I know what it is, nothing to worry about, bring it in so we can put the diagnostics on it."

"No Sir, there doesnt seem to be any fault anywhere"

"Just see how you get on"

Heard it all before.Blah Blah Blah

BMW..."BLOODY MOTOR WONTEWORK"....