R1200GS tickover

[Pilot Paul]

Hi guys I need some info please.

The bike is 3 months old with 1700 miles.

The problem is the tickover is too high at 1700rpm. As I understand there isn't any adjustment for the idle speed, all done by the engine management system.

The bike went to the dealer 7th January when new software loaded. Since then they have considered changing the loom but didn't. Changed the fuel pressure regulator. Checked the resistance on the loom for bad connections. Swapped stepper motors. All this with no luck.

I spoke to the workshop this morning, 25th and they have ordered a new engine management system which is due in a couple of days.

Has anyone else had this problem or got any ideas?

 

[swebb]

hmmm, not got mine yet, but very interested in your situation.... keep us posted on developments !!

hope it's sorted soon!

 

[gazza]

The bike went to the dealer 7th January when new software loaded. Since then they have considered changing the loom but didn't. Changed the fuel pressure regulator. Checked the resistance on the loom for bad connections. Swapped stepper motors. All this with no luck.

Jeez, that seems a bit of overkill to consider changing the loom.
Given that the can bus thingy runs everything pretty much I would have thought that diagnostics onboard the bike would have highlighted any wiring problems. Doesn't anyone employ old fault finding techniques anymore. It seems if it doesn't work change everything till it does. God knows how these people would cope with a telephone exchange fault.

 

[JerryP]

Simple: They would order a replacement exchange

 

[LA_GS12]

Probably Mechanical Issue

To get such a high tickover (idle to us Yanks), you're letting an awful lot of air past the throttle body on one or both sides. In general idle air control systems are not capable of passing enough air to cause these symptoms. If there is a fault code, it would probably be due to the ECU closing the idle speed servo down all the way with no effect.

I would look for a mechanical problem such as sticking cable or seriously maladjusted cable. It's also possible that something is lodged in the works, preventing the plate from closing all the way.

Another possibility is a vacuum leak between a throttle body and the cylinder. Those hoses can be pesky to seal. Vacuum leaks cause high idle speed. Is a rubber vacuum cap missing from a throttle body or is a vacuum hose disconnected somewhere?

Just an opinion from afar, but I have diagnosed many similar problems in automobiles.

 

[skywalker]

Check the main throttle cable where it runs down the left side of the bike then disappears under the tank.If the tanks been off its possible to knock the cable out of its securing clip and does one of two things either the tick over increases whist turning the steering fom lock to lock or it pulls the cable out of the junction block underneath the tank.
You could also try disconnecting the battery then reconnect it making sure the terminals are tight then with the ignition switched on only turn the throttle from fully closed to fully open twice then start the bike.Its highly unlikely that either the ecu or harness is at fault.Sounds like a scatter gun approach to fixing the fault in replacing the items you have said and if that doesn't work what are they going to go for next ?
A lot of new techies forget the basic rules of mechanics

 

[Russ]

seems to me that modern electronics in vehicles has resulted in a breed of mechanics with no mechanical aptitude...if the diagnostic computer doesn't register a fault then either a) replace random bits until the problem goes away or b)lie to the customer telling them its fixed or c)tell the customer they're imagining it and the diagnostics are saying all is fine.

I managed to diagnose a fault with my diesel land rover without the need for any computer and despite having no formal mechanical training...took it to the dealers described the problem, and the diagnostics agreed with my conclusion...one fixed car

 

[birdseye]

seems to me that modern electronics in vehicles has resulted in a breed of mechanics with no mechanical aptitude...if the diagnostic computer doesn't register a fault then either a) replace random bits until the problem goes away or b)lie to the customer telling them its fixed or c)tell the customer they're imagining it and the diagnostics are saying all is fine.

Absolutely right!

 

[Pilot Paul]

Got it back.

After three weeks in the workshop the new engine management system seems to have done the trick. Only been out a couple of times so far but it idles at about 1100rpm.

Friendly service from Wollaston BMW who loaned me their demo bike whilst mine was away.

No other problems. It's still the best modern bike I've owned.