| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
beemeerr11 Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 168
|
Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 8:59 am Post subject: Intermittent Starting? |
|
|
Went on the annual BMW Kosciuszko Rally and while waiting on others riders, when we went to leave, I hit the starter on my bike and all you could hear was the relay under the tank clicking? Put the bike into 1st gear and started to rock it backward and forward then I heard the fuel pump winde and hit the starter and the bike went?? Nearly every stop was the same, rock the bike and then it would start, on the way home at one stop, I noticed that my headlight, tail light blinkers etc wern't working, but engine was, to cut a long story short, in the garage tonight, if I turn on the key, I hear the fuel pump whine, hit the starter "NO START" only the relay under tank click? As the bike is on the centre stand with key on if I put the bike into first gear and rock the rear wheel backward and forward by hand I get pulsating power to all the electrics, Light, dash etc?
Lou
95LT
(AUS) |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Mystic Red Flying Brick Rider

Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 2330 Location: Twin Lakes Idaho
|
Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
You're going to have to pull the starter and clean it up if I don't miss my bet. _________________ Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Flying Duck PsyKotic Waterfowl

Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 10102 Location: Bumf***, WA
|
Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 10:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
Sidestand switch? _________________ 93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
E T Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 21 Jan 2010 Posts: 265 Location: Colbert Wa
|
Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 2:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Mystic Red wrote: | | You're going to have to pull the starter and clean it up if I don't miss my bet. | +1
Sounds like the same problem i had with mine right after i got it, I read a article and it said they use the starter as the ground and it gets dusty and loses the ground, You need to pull the starter, clean it up and put it back in, should be no more problems _________________ 1993 K1100LT
2005 Honda VTX 1300c---Passed |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Ernie-NH Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 14 Oct 2009 Posts: 982 Location: Bristol, New Hampshire
|
Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 2:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Beemer11....
I agree with Duck... FIRST and easiest place to 'eliminate' is the side stand switch.. IF not and the starter needs a cleaning, go to IBMWR site and find the article under "k bikes" which will guide you step by step through the starter disassembly/clean/reassemble process. I had to do this as well due to intermittent electric problems, now its better than ever !!
Good luck and best regards,,,,,// Ernie in NH _________________ AMA,, American Deaf Bikers
Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
beemeerr11 Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 168
|
Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 4:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Flying Duck wrote: | | Sidestand switch? |
I eliminated the side stand switch 10 years ago, The relay noise I can hear chattering might be one of the relays for the headlight as I have the Jim Davis set up, I also noticed that the plug that goes onto the headlight globe has signs of slightly melting? With the bike in gear and rocking the rear wheel what else connects electrically? I'd would have thought the starter needs to throw out to engauge?
Any thoughts
Cheers
Lou
95LT |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
beemeerr11 Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 168
|
Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 4:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| beemeerr11 wrote: | | Flying Duck wrote: | | Sidestand switch? |
I eliminated the side stand switch 10 years ago, The relay noise I can hear chattering might be one of the relays for the headlight as I have the Jim Davis set up, I also noticed that the plug that goes onto the headlight globe has signs of slightly melting? With the bike in gear and rocking the rear wheel what else connects electrically? I'd would have thought the starter needs to throw out to engauge?
Any thoughts
Cheers
Lou
95LT |
Just found this dicription on the IBMW site this describes my issue exactly, but explains the symptoms better than I did, so it looks like the starter is the place to start the trouble shooting, parden the pun,, thanks all
Lou
http://skylands.ibmwr.org/tom/tech/starter.html
I've had an intermittent problem starting the bike and with the lights. Sometimes with the key on the headlight and instrument lights will not come on (the neutral light will come on if it's in neutral). When I push the start button nothing happens. If I put the bike in gear, let out the clutch and rock the bike back and forth the lights will flicker on and off. Once the headlight stays on I can start the bike. While I'm riding the headlight may flicker or go out for awhile but the bike seems to run fine. What's wrong? Do I need a new starter? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Flying Duck PsyKotic Waterfowl

Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 10102 Location: Bumf***, WA
|
Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 4:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The starter is not a solenoid type. There's some one way gearing in front of the bellhousing. (a.k.a. starter sprag)
You still might want to double-check your sidestand short. Mine failed mid left instersection turn one day and killed the bike. The wire to the
BMW connector had broken off. It was the first thing I checked and sure enough...
IF you hear relays clicking then it soun ds like the start buttton is working.
Next thing I'd do is put a voltmeter on the terminal on the back of the starter to see if it's getting 12V when you hit the start button. _________________ 93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Mystic Red Flying Brick Rider

Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 2330 Location: Twin Lakes Idaho
|
Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 8:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: | | If I put the bike in gear, let out the clutch and rock the bike back and forth the lights will flicker on and off. |
Sidestand switch would not respond to this. _________________ Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
beemeerr11 Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 168
|
Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 7:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Mystic Red wrote: | | You're going to have to pull the starter and clean it up if I don't miss my bet. |
O.K. I'm in the shed getting it all apart, I'm at the stage of trying to get the starter out of the housing, I'm stuck!!!!!!!! although I can move it around, as if I have freed it from the seal crank position (if that makes sense)? The ABS housing or the alternater seems like they need to be removed? Advise please, If that is the case on the ABS side, then it looks like I need to undo the foot peg brackets as there is no room to move the starter backwards? the Clymer manual that I have doesn't even tell me to remove the coils as all the pictures are from a K100 with no ABS?
Cheers
Lou
95LT |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
garynali Mad Brick Rider
Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 79 Location: Hervey Bay, Australia
|
Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 5:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My memory is that it's just hanging on the o-ring seal at the front of the housing. Use a small lever to pry it backwards with the rear of the starter tilted slightly upwards. It doesn't require a lot of force.There may be some minor hardware in the road but not the alternator. It's a tight fit in and out. Use grease on the o-ring when you fit it and ease it in gently. About a six pack job.
Gary C
93 K1100RS |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Tim (Midland Section) Flying Brick Rider

Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Posts: 960 Location: Pinxton, Nottingham, England.
|
Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 7:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
IIRC the footrest hanger mount is in the way. One must remove ABS2 & tie it up to get at the bolts on the top of the gearbox. Don't forget to order some starter brushes, you won't want to do it again!!! _________________ Regards Tim,
Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
1972 750 Commando
G6HRN
#485 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
beemeerr11 Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 168
|
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 12:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Tim (Midland Section) wrote: | | IIRC the footrest hanger mount is in the way. One must remove ABS2 & tie it up to get at the bolts on the top of the gearbox. Don't forget to order some starter brushes, you won't want to do it again!!! |
Tim,
The bolts I have managed to undo, it is my lack of space to pull the starter out backwards?
Lou
95LT |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
beemeerr11 Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 168
|
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 7:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
| beemeerr11 wrote: | | Tim (Midland Section) wrote: | | IIRC the footrest hanger mount is in the way. One must remove ABS2 & tie it up to get at the bolts on the top of the gearbox. Don't forget to order some starter brushes, you won't want to do it again!!! |
Tim,
The bolts I have managed to undo, it is my lack of space to pull the starter out backwards?
Lou
95LT | Update I had to remove the four nuts that hang onto the box that encloses the ABS unit to make more space. Stater is out now????
Cheers
Lou
95LT |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
beemeerr11 Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 168
|
Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 10:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Mystic Red wrote: | | You're going to have to pull the starter and clean it up if I don't miss my bet. |
Just to complete this article, I pulled the starter out and cleaned it all up and added new brushes, now it fires every time without an issue.
Thanks for all your help
Lou
95LT |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
|