Zzzzzzt, bang OOf

[(RIP) Jamie]

Dear Team,

This is what happened:

1. Having been parked up for six weeks left outside (including snow) took 1100 for MOT, got about 3 miles when it just cut out. Despite every effort, still no joy. Assumed battery shagged, and made mind up to buy new one once AA had dealt with.

2. AA man arrives, despite boost; bike only just barely ticks over before cutting out. Any attempt to rev up just cuts out engine.

3. New battery installed (NASA one). Fire it up, still the same, will not rev.

4. Have now given battery a full charge; will install ASAP, after snow has cleared.

Please tell that this is all that is wrong. Has anybody had this problem before?

The man at Rainbow BMW says that when voltage is low, bike will run rich (and therefore clog / cut out).

I expected to replace the battery at some point, but am worried that something more sinister may be nerfed.

Also, as it’s due for some work at Rainbow, do you think they’ll come and get it, sort it, then let me come and get it?

Help please

Jamie

 

[Adrian B]

Collection

Ask them, they can only say no!

 

[(RIP) Jamie]

Thanks Mark, be aware I mighht take you up on it.

I looked on the Tech boards for answers, and was reminded that everything went off, including me time clock.

scurrell noted that my TPS may need resetting, but he was referring to an 1150, is it the same for an 1100?

Has anybody got any info on this - does it sound familiar?

Cheers

Jamie

 

[Gecko]

Jamie
I had a very similar prblem with my '99 1100GS. One Sunday afternoon I gave it a good wash down and for the first (and last) time used a hi-pressure cleaner on it. I was trying to be very careful and only jetted the crud off the lower engine and wheel rims. I dried the bike and it looked lovely. Next morning 5 miles down the road on the way to work....zzzzzt bang ooff.....fizzz,clik nothing. It just cut out . Tried starting it and it fired but just wouldn't catch so I was stranded. Had to push it into nearby motorway service station and called the recovery service. I had to wait about and hour for them and while I waited I tried starting it a few times. I noticed that the injection system was making some wired noises - lots of clicking but still couldn't get it to start. The fuel gauge was going nuts - one second showing full tank next empty then up and down anywhere in between - the clock didn't know what day it was never mind what time it was.
BMW dealer concluded almost immediately that it was moisture in the electrics but couldn't be more specific - they thought maybe the alarm system which is also an immobilzer may be the problem . 10 days later I got the bike back - no faults found - mechanics all agree it was moisture.....and to they never knew about the pressure wash . Got charged 20 euros and went on my way and the problem has never reoccurred. Since them I have ridden through all last summer which was as wet as a wet day during a very wet month in the rainy season....no problems- bike was a star.

So my conclusion is someone secretly , without you knowing , nipped out and pressure washed your bike causing this problem....or it could be just the weeks of damp air, rain and snow doing it's worse for you. Either way try just drying it out somewhere for a few days and hopefully you'll find the problem just cures itself. WD40 did it for me - lots sprayed up into the under tank and seat area.
Good Luck
The Gecko
(Lost in Belgium)

 

[(RIP) maverick]

I had similar problem on my R1100GS in SA December and found a small nick in one of the wires from the ignition going around the headset. Think it got nicked somehow between something and managed to snip the ignition wire. Just follow the wires coming out of your ignition up to where it has gone under the tank and see if there is not bend/kinked or off, alternatively I had a crack in my coil which would expand when heated and get moist inside but the motor would still turn and not start until the coil was dried out.


Cheers and good luck

 

[Jimb]

Jamie, I think Gecko is right, this may be worth a try before you go to the trouble of a trailer, Take the tank off and with a hair dryer or heat gun on low go over the entire wiring loom in the area of the injection control to thoroughly dry it out once the negine is warm it should dissipate any residual moisture.

Do you keep your bike outside and uncovered ?

 

[(RIP) Jamie]

Jim & Gecko,

I am going down that road of dampness.

Yes, the bike is uncovered in the elements, i find it prevents corrosion. So having been laid up for 6 weeks could've let the damp in.

I am also gonna have a go at Steve Currell's idea of resetting me TPS, the way he describes it makes perfect sense.

The bike is booked in to Rainbow for the 22nd feb for other bits, so no real panic, but I would like to ride it there though - in fact I'd just like to ride it - but you know that.

Thanks for your brain work on this, and I'll keep you posted.

jamie