Troubleshooting a non-starting 2002 R1100S

[Forkster]

Here's the breakdown of the work to troubleshoot my bike - I've owned it a year now but haven't ridden it much. Changed the oil last year and only have put 500km on it.

Tuesday week before - bike wouldn't start and battery was dead.
Thursday - replaced battery. Bike still wouldn't start - just turns over.
Sunday - took apart bike, checked voltages, checked plugs. Bike suddenly started - put back together. Tested one hour later - all good.
Monday - bike wouldn't start again. Pointing to probable faulty HES?
Tuesday - Followed a HES guide on ADVRIDER.COM on the no-start. With stand down, in neutral, turn on bike, hear pump prime, press start. No start - just turns over. With in gear, clutch in, stand up, turn on bike, hear pump prime, press start. No start - just turns over. Take off plugs, put in plug tester, press start, no spark at plugs.
Thursday - Built my HES tester. Tested my HES - cold testing HES indicates it's functioning (sigh). Decided to look in the airbox. FML. It's a K&N and it looks like it hasn't been cleaned in a while. Cleaned the air filter, recharged it.

Apart from the HES (and a really dirty/clogged air filter), is there anything else that would cause the plugs to stop working suddenly?

[njsax]

Spark plug cables?

[Groceryrun]

Hi Forkster :

I thought there was an R1100S thread on the ADVRIDER site but couldn't find it either.

Sometimes the R1100S will not start but will crank over because there is a high battery load.
I am not saying that is the cause in your case but I am just saying.

One of the reasons for the high battery load is a starter that has it's internals that needs repair ;
Loose magnets or shorting wires.
In that case one can replace the starter or rebuild it.

If you have access to a portable battery booster or a jumper from a car battery that might be a try.

Two excellent shops for parts are :
https://www.beemerboneyard.com
https://www.euromotoelectrics.com/category-s/1601.htm

[ckcarr]

HES can be intermittent.

Also there have been threads about shorts in the wiring by the key, I haven't had that problem, but possible. Or the side stand switch.

It's most likely something simple....

[Forkster]

Originally Posted by ckcarr

HES can be intermittent.

Also there have been threads about shorts in the wiring by the key, I haven't had that problem, but possible. Or the side stand switch.

It's most likely something simple....

Agreed. All I did is change a dead battery. Next thing, no fuel no spark right after.

[twitchy]

Originally Posted by ckcarr

HES can be intermittent.

Also there have been threads about shorts in the wiring by the key, I haven't had that problem, but possible. Or the side stand switch.

It's most likely something simple....

I had this problem with a BMW K75s that I used to own. The dealer traced it back to the ignition switch. They put a new switch in and the problem went away.

With my 2004 R1100s, I had an ignition switch that was intermittent in when it would work. I had it replaced and works fine now.

I agree it is probably something simple. You just need to find what it is.

[908/930]

Looking quickly at the wiring diagram, check for voltage at the coil with the key turned on. This diagram shows power from the battery to ignition switch through kill switch than to ignition coil, and from coil the negative goes to MCU. The other safety switches Neutral/prop stand/clutch tie into the starter relay only.

[njsax]

Since replacing the battery was the last thing you did, it makes sense that this situation is a direct result of that. I don't believe in coincidental failures of other systems. So . . .

• Battery cables reversed?
• Try charging up the old battery and put that in?
• Take out the new battery and try jumping directly from a known good car battery?