R1200GS - undiagnosed failure to restart

[paulhull]

My bike recently stopped and would not restart. After the bike was recovered it started normally and the dealer was unable to diagnose any problem. I wonder if anyone else has had a similar problem?
When this happened the bike had been running for approx 50miles after refuelling. After a brief stop I had moved off but the engine stopped as I was about to pull on to a slip road and would not restart; the engine fired up but died after 2-3 seconds after every attempt to restart. This happened in southern Spain. As this happened on a Sunday the recovery service were unable to get a dealer out to the bike that day. The bike was returned to the dealer in the UK after approx 2 weeks. After it was eventually restarted the bike continued to run normally on the same tank of petrol.
At least I now know that BMW’s recovery service is excellent!

 

[Activmoto]

Was it raining by any chance? if so it could be the kill switch as the handle bar switch does not seem to be waterproof in my experience and this does not show a fault.

Also if no fault showed up on diagnostics could it be a fuel pump issue.

 

[paulhull]

It wasn't raining but a pleasant sunny morning. If it was a fuel pump problem it had rectified itself when it got back to the dealer. However I'll see what replies/suggestions I get and take these up with the dealer so thanks for your comment.

 

[Wraithwrider]

A slim possibility here as it normally only happens when the bike's cold in my experience.

If you start the bike on the centre stand, in neutral with the sidestand down the rear wheel may turn (normally when cold due to thicker gearbox oil). The sensors then anticipate that you're moving with the sidestand down and cut the engine after 2 - 3 seconds.

So the diagnosis sort of fits some of the symptoms!

Peter

 

[Mr K]

May be ECU failing to recognise ignition key?

 

[Pukmeister]

http://motorcycles.about.com/b/a/153826.htm

 

[smirky]

Was it raining by any chance? if so it could be the kill switch as the handle bar switch does not seem to be waterproof in my experience and this does not show a fault.

Also if no fault showed up on diagnostics could it be a fuel pump issue.

That must have been my problem this week, went to start the bike which had been sitting in the rain, when i went to start it it would turn over, and even fire up but not tick over, it would only run with the throttle, after about 5 miles it appeared to have cured itself, i also got a smell of fuel at the time

 

[Karn-Evil]

Mine had this issue from new it appeared to learn to stop after it had started i had a new brain and i think various sensors in the end and it seems to be cured.BMW Tech services know my bike and the problems it had they should be able to tell your dealer.

 

[Bert]

My bike recently stopped and would not restart. After the bike was recovered it started normally and the dealer was unable to diagnose any problem. I wonder if anyone else has had a similar problem? At least I now know that BMW’s recovery service is excellent!

This little part can often be found to be the culprit-
Should be in in every GS1200 spare parts kit!! and make sure the gasket is the BLUE one I
The original gasket was a thin black one which let the water in and messed up the electronics.
Tip: Don't rely on your engine/frame number as I did- I was told my 1200 was the 'later one' which had that gasket changed already- This proved to be incorrect whilst being serviced thouroughly in Wien.


It's the part which energises the fuel pump (sorry - no idea of its proper name)
Found under unscrewable 'dome' fitting, front left hand side of bike parallel to speedo. Without it- 1200 will never start.