Battery Trouble?

[Carmel_Bimmer]

Put the battery on charge this week to prep for the Spring. Turned the key today and heard the dreaded "click, click, click". Nothing else, just the clicking.

Battery trouble?

2001 R1100S on its second battery. The original was replaced in 2005 or so.

Ideas?

[roger albert]

very probably the battery, but check that the cables ends are clean and the charger works and was used long enough before binning the battery. 2-4 years is how long the vast majority of batteries last.

[Carmel_Bimmer]

Thanks for the input.

Correction... original battery was replaced in May 2003 - 4 years.

Will check the cable ends before yanking, but... The manual makes the process appear challenging - "extreme caution" and such. Should be fun!

[cole1]

battery is probably worth **** now . But make sure you charge it well and then see if it holds a charge . If not get a new so you do not get stuck . Do you keep it on a tender over the winter . I and others I know do this and the battery lasts for yrs . MY tractor is going on its 4th yr and is still working fine.

[Carmel_Bimmer]

Originally posted by cole1
battery is probably worth **** now . But make sure you charge it well and then see if it holds a charge . If not get a new so you do not get stuck . Do you keep it on a tender over the winter . I and others I know do this and the battery lasts for yrs . MY tractor is going on its 4th yr and is still working fine.

Ran the charger for the recommended time (24 hours or so) - the light turned green (full charge). That is the odd part. According to the charger, the battery was holding the charge (green light)?

Removed the charger and tried to start with no luck.

[roger albert]

with that symptom and 4 years old, I'd call it for dead.

[cole1]

Originally posted by Carmel_Bimmer
Ran the charger for the recommended time (24 hours or so) - the light turned green (full charge). That is the odd part. According to the charger, the battery was holding the charge (green light)?

Removed the charger and tried to start with no luck.

my battery did the same thing on a brand new bike . BMW replaced the battery and so far it has been working fine. Although I do have it on a tender for the winter.

[jackbunce]

Originally posted by Carmel_Bimmer
...The manual makes the process appear challenging - "extreme caution" and such. Should be fun!

Replaced my 4 year old battery a couple of weeks ago. It was pretty easy.

Take the tupperware off, remove the rightside gas tank cap screw, remove the left side capscrew for the snorkle to allow access to the rightside gas tank cap screw. Slide the tank back and up. Remove the battery ground side cable. Remove the positive cable. Slide the restraining strap forward. Lift the battery out. Reverse the process to reinstall.

Before you restart the bike, turn the ignition on and roll the throttle full open rapidly and then fully closed twice to teach the motronic what it needs to know. Then start the bike: if it won't idle reseat the throttle cables cause you screwed them up when you replaced the tank.

20 minutes or less after the tupperware is off.

[Sideshow_S]

You'll likely be able to jumpstart the bike off of a car's support. Just don't turn the bike off.

Typical BMW battery issue stories that I have heard are like this. Running when parked for the winter. Even have seen them crank right up in the middle if winter and show no signs of discharging. Then, when that warm day in spring comes -- cllicicicickckciciicickckciccckcicickc.

Four or five years? just like clockwork.

[jackbunce]

Oops... I forgot: I used the OEM BMW gel battery. After the installation and before I started the bike I put it on the BMW branded charger (thru the aux plug) and waited until it reached a solid green (fully charged) state.

[DeltaNu1142]

Searching & found this thread... I was looking for answers about my 11S's battery indicator, I couldn't remember if it comes on with the ignition ALL the time, or just lately. Mine's an '02 with the original battery, won't hold a charge for longer than a day or two, so I guess it's time for a new one--any insight into this battery indicator light would be appreciated.

[jackbunce]

Originally Posted by DeltaNu1142

Searching & found this thread... I was looking for answers about my 11S's battery indicator, I couldn't remember if it comes on with the ignition ALL the time, or just lately. Mine's an '02 with the original battery, won't hold a charge for longer than a day or two, so I guess it's time for a new one--any insight into this battery indicator light would be appreciated.

If you are talking about the topmost red light above the left turn indicator and the high beam indicator then it should come on with the ignition and go out when the engine is above idle speed.

Its name is "Warning light, battery charge current"

See: Rider's Manual (US Model) R1100S pages 7 and 62.

[DeltaNu1142]

Originally Posted by jackbunce

If you are talking about the topmost red light above the left turn indicator and the high beam indicator then it should come on with the ignition and go out when the engine is above idle speed.
Its name is "Warning light, battery charge current"
See: Rider's Manual (US Model) R1100S pages 7 and 62.

Thanks, that helps. My battery indicator shows correctly, I guess, but my battery is weak--had to push it up to speed & jump start it yesterday. F&#$-ing flat state.

I'll look for the best deal on a battery based on what I've been reading on the other threads... Panasonic P231, maybe Odyssey P680? If anyone has any lines on a battery please PM, TIA.

[R111S]

I've been having good experience so far with my Panasonic LC-X1220P VRLA Battery from www.digikey.com. The Digikey P/N is: P231-ND - and their price is: $62.93:
Replaced old WestCo Battery with new Panasonic

[DeltaNu1142]

Thanks, I followed that thread & ordered on Wednesday, but my P231-ND at Digikey came to $70.88 w/o tax or shipping...??

P231-ND BATT SEALED LEAD ACID 12V 20.0AH 0 70.88000 $70.88
Subtotal $70.88
Handling $0.00
Shipping unknown
Estimated Sales Tax $4.97
Total unknown

EDIT: received the total in an e-mail, $90 shipped from Digikey. I probably could have found a better deal, but I was in a pinch.

[R111S]

$90...talk about the worthless Dollar!

My total cost including shipping was $76.09 on 01AUG2007. Hopefully some of their employees got a wage increase.

[fiery]

My Panasonic LC-X1220P died after 6 months ...

Dealer said they are more suited as UPS batteries ...

Will try the Oddysey P680 ..