Starter motor not engaging

[IanC]

We're in Merzouga at the moment, and my mate's 1200 Adv has a problem with the starter not working properly. About 80% of time it will start OK, other times the motor won't keep turning.

Problem is always worse when hot, never a problem when cold. He's had it in bits, checked the connections and brushes.

Any suggestions? And in a worst case scenario, can we start by shorting across the starter motor terminals?

 

[juddadredd]

Don't short the terminals as your asking for an ECU frack up...

Switch Batteries and then get back to me if it still does the same thing, as that's the quickest fix I can think of...

The second is the SWITCH GEAR, just open the back and check that it's fine for me as it sounds like a faulty connection either there or at the motor its self...

I will be up until 2 AM UK time, and have access to ALL schemetics and have free broadband so if your on a limited or paid for connection just call out and I will do the searching/reading for you mate...

 

[autogs]

i reckon its the battery going down,i had a scare onthe chunnel last year,pressed start button and it seemed like a flat battery tried again and it went.it played up a couple of times in europe and i replaced the battery on my return and it never did it again,1200 battery failing can cause some strange faults.

 

[IanC]

Thanks for your help guys, think we have it sorted now.

Had to enlist a local mechanic in Rissani to open up (and clean) the starter motor switchgear as BMW have such shallow recess in the screws, seems they don't want you in there!

 

[Bendy toy]

Well done!

Just for the record. I have had batteries work fine when kept flat but lose charge or at least some cells when tilted.

How many miles has the bike done? maybe we should all be cleaning out the starter motor after nnnn (who knows how many) miles.

 

[juddadredd]

Yay I got it right, and considering I've only had the Adv for 3 months not to shabby on the fault finding side of things.

If you have any other problems just shout out matey.