What makes the little red battery light come on?

[Droopy Dick]

Riding home from a day-long, very hot, ride out, I overtook a tw*t and as I hit 7,000 rm in 3rd gear the red light came on.

Of course, being a less than alert chap, I mistook it for the oil light!!!!!!! It was immediate declutch and roll off throttle and pull over.

Tw*t overtakes me gesticulating!

OK. Sort out that it's the battery light thing.

Managed to get home.

Bike starts OK. In fact, I started it three times.

Anyway, checked the battery connections. OK. Bunged the Optimate on.

Is there anything obvious that might cause this warning light to come on that I've missed? Like a buggered alternator, for example.

 

[ktmmark]

it sounds like it has stopped charging check the belt behind the front cover first & if thats ok check or have it checked to make sure its charging

 

[Fanum]

You didn't bounce off the rev limiter did you???

(I can't remember if there's a red light warning for that)

As said, check charging.......stick a multi meter across the battery and if you've got 13-15 1/2 ish volts, you're ok.

 

[Steptoe]

As has been said -
check what the alternator is charging .

Check that the alternator belt hasn't snapped - ( which is what your problem sounds like)

 

[type_259]

As everyone else said - check the alternator belt. Mine snapped and the charging light came on.

 

[(RIP) Proff]

As everyone else said - check your trouser belt. Mine snapped and the littleman light came on.

Fixed

 

[Droopy Dick]

After a cold shower and a doze, I've just been out to look at the front end of the engine.

Ooooooooops!!!!!!!!!!!

I should have done this earlier - I think it was the fact that I was sweating like a pig when I got home that inhibited me.

The alternator belt thingy seems to have disintegrated and ripped aprt the plastic cover.

So, I'm stuck 'til Tuesday now until SPC open for me to get a new belt.

And bless my kids who thoughtfully raided the boxerdesign website and bought me a carbon fibre gen cover thingy for a b'day pressie.

 

[Steptoe]

Go to any car spares shop, and buy a 611mm x 4 ribbed belt. A 610mm will fit if you can't get a 611

 

[Grumpy Lee]

DD, if you want to replace the belt tomorrow with the proper BWM one let me know and you can have my spare. All you'll have to do is get me a replacement.

I'll even deliver it to you (tomorrow - Sunday) if required,

Lee

 

[Fanum]

How cool is this place

DD........20 mins work tommorrow and you'll be sorted, as well as havinga soggy moist glow about the whole thing

 

[type_259]

Fixed

Keith! You're a twat of the highest order!

A funny twat mind

 

[Droopy Dick]

DD, if you want to replace the belt tomorrow with the proper BWM one let me know and you can have my spare. All you'll have to do is get me a replacement.

I'll even deliver it to you (tomorrow - Sunday) if required,

Lee

Gosh!!!!!!!!!!

How incredibly kind of you.

Tomorrow is kinda hectic, but I can probably meet you half-way(-ish) from about 1600 - 1800, if that's any use?

I'm going to be driving a van, kids, band equipment, and other odd 'n sods all morning <grrrrrrrrrrrr>.

I'll send you my mobile no by PM.

If the meet idea is OK, can you phone/text to let me know where/when? There's a Little Chef at Picket Post or Rufus Stone, if that's any help - need to coordinate west- or east-bound!!!!!!!

 

[Droopy Dick]

How cool is this place

DD........20 mins work tommorrow and you'll be sorted, as well as havinga soggy moist glow about the whole thing

I was rather discomfited by the soggy moist glow when I got home this past evening.

I hadn't realised that my head had cooked quite so much inside my helmet.

Never a nice thing, a sweaty helmet.

 

[Droopy Dick]

Is this the same belt as the Poly-V belt?

Is this alternator belt thing the same thing that's listed in the owner's manual book as the Poly-V belt that needs changing at 36,000 miles?

Or is that something else entirely.

 

[Fanum]

It's the same thing...only yours is an ex poly v belt..it has shuffled off it's mortal pulley, it has ceased to be.....

 

[Droopy Dick]

It's the same thing...only yours is an ex poly v belt..it has shuffled off it's mortal pulley, it has ceased to be.....

Yes. It's a very mangled and dead Poly.

 

[LandRover]

It's the same thing...only yours is an ex poly v belt..it has shuffled off it's mortal pulley, it has ceased to be.....

"He's not resting ... he's bleeding DEAD!"

 

[ktmmark]

"He's not resting ... he's bleeding DEAD!"

You must be as old as me you poor sod to rember that line