Electrical problems - maybe battery?

tiefflieger · 06-21-2005, 01:54 PM

2004 BCR (manuf. 4/2003) with BMW/Exide Gel Battery.

Rode yesterday, no problems until very last stop. Tried to start bike and as soon as I pushed the start button, I got one click, warning lights went out and clock display faded away.
Turned key to "R", clock display came back, waited a few seconds, turned key to "On" and no warning lights and clock fading away. So I took my gear off, waited a few minutes, tried again, and low-and-behold, bike started normally! I'm thinking maybe it was just a fluke.
This morning I turn key to "On", warning lights come on, I push the starter button and same thing happens: one click, warning lights go out and clock display starts fading away. I tried a few more times and same thing (actually clock reset itself to 1:00) but display comes right back to life with key in the "R" position.
So I pulled the tupperware and put a voltmeter to the battery. I was reading about 12.6v under load, dwindling rapidly. Put it on charge and it charged up within a few minutes and switched to float. I left it on float charge for about an hour. Hooked everything back up and she fired right up!

Could it really be a bad battery? The thing is only 2 years old! Also, I'm wondering why my key will only go to "R" and "On". I can't turn it to "Off" (stops halfway in between) or "P". Is that normal for the 04 BCR?

So what do you guys think? Bad battery, charging system problem or bad ignition switch?

jduke · 06-21-2005, 02:02 PM

You've got a short. I'd take it to the dealer and let them trace it.
I hate electrical problems...

roger albert · 06-21-2005, 02:32 PM

Hmmm,

not enough info to diagnose, but it doesn't sound vaguely like short.
Batteries can definitely fade in 2 years. Not normal, just as getting 6 years isn't, but both happen.

But sure, if you're under warranty, let the dealer handle it.
Sounds most like a battery, but you should carefully inspect wiring harness to the key, and the cleanliness of battery, starter and fuse contacts (or as jduke said, let dealer do same)

ckcarr · ckcarr's Garage

Same exact symptoms with no warning when my battery lost it's mojo.

RoLoo · RoLoo's Garage

...had the same experience ; battery went out of juice after 17 month old (young...)

Ron.

levert · 06-23-2005, 05:56 AM

Still need more info!
Do a load test on your battery.
I had a brand new BMW battery that showed the same symptoms, not common but does happen.The other side is my S just got 7 years on the stock battery, go figure.
I find that with proper care you should get at least 5 years on a battery.I fly RC models so I am anal about battery care, if I have a failure while flying its not good.

tiefflieger · 06-23-2005, 12:48 PM

I don't have the tools to fiddle with it at home, so I have to wait until Sunday to take it to my shop. All I know is that it is working again. Started bike yesterday without any problems. I put the tupperware back on, so I'm pretty sure it's not going to start Sunday!
I'll put a voltmeter on it while it's running to see if the alternator is acting up, but me thinks it's either in the switch, the battery, or a lose connection somewhere in between. Where is the ground wire on the S?

JonyRR · 06-23-2005, 02:08 PM

main ground lead is under the tray that holds the battery and CPU. I'd check that end also. A properly-working charging system should show no more than 14.5VDC at roughly 4-5K RPM, and above 12.5VDC at idle. While you're at it, check the alternator belt tension. If it's an intermittant issue, indeed check all connections, grounds, and the wiring to the switch itself is notorious for breaking. I reziptied my harness early on to do a homebrew 'strain relief' on the harness around the ignition switch area...