Motorcycle won't start -- alternator? battery?

Sep 06, 2007 22:39

My motorcycle (BMW F650GS) won't start ( Read more... )

lazyweb, motorcycle

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Comments 25

avatraxiom September 7 2007, 05:50:10 UTC
I had something similar happen with a car of mine once--as I recall the problem was that the battery terminals and connectors were corroded to the point that a jump would work but the normal flow of electricity didn't.

Your motorcycle is so new that I can't imagine that's the case, though.

-Max

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scosol September 8 2007, 00:57:16 UTC
What he said-

Sure it *could* be the alternator as all others say, but I doubt that would die so quickly on such a new bike.
Also, "battery too dead to for engine to run" is BS too- the alternator can provide *plenty* of energy for a spark.
But the one thing it needs is an actual complete circuit.
So I would check the battery terminal connectors for looseness, as well as the charging wire from the battery + on the alternator.

The other thought is that you might have a SERIOUS short, that drained the battery and will also kill all electrics in the way you describe- think "large wire disconnected and hitting frame"
If you don't find an obvious loose or dis-connection take that bitch back to the dealer.

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maxvt September 8 2007, 17:18:43 UTC
Happened to my car, too. Bad connection at the battery -> 1.5 volts difference between alternator and battery terminals -> battery wouldn't charge properly, leading to starting issues, although I did go to the garage before the car stopped starting at all.

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xaosenkosmos September 7 2007, 05:52:17 UTC
Alternator?

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girl_on_a_stick September 7 2007, 05:58:18 UTC
Could be:
Bad Batter
Alternator troubles
Rectifier troubles (this is my guess)
Battery leads need cleaning

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girl_on_a_stick September 7 2007, 06:02:11 UTC
Hmm more I think about this the more I lean towards it being just a way dead battery.

I highly recommend buying a trickle charger, for just this sort of occasion. Good thing to have around. You can get them at any motorcycle store for around $50.

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brad September 7 2007, 08:46:17 UTC
Trickle charger: right! ... I remember others recommending those. I'll pick one up, thanks!

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travisd September 7 2007, 12:27:20 UTC
Specifically, a Battery Tender. Something that's has some smarts and won't cook the battery.

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(The comment has been removed)

chris September 7 2007, 21:42:24 UTC
this would have been my guess as well.

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furrr September 7 2007, 06:34:18 UTC
i think it might be the alternator
if it's inoperable, the only source your motorcycle feeds on is the battery, and given the small capacity of the battery, unlike one in a car, it should run out pretty quickly.

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silona September 7 2007, 06:50:16 UTC
um ditto on alternator...

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seeds_of_peace September 7 2007, 06:59:38 UTC
thirds

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mobley September 7 2007, 12:01:14 UTC
fourths on the alternator. if the alternator is dead, the motorcycle needs electricity from the battery.
i've had too many crap cars that this has happened to.

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