Dead Battery?

andybcr03 · Post by **andybcr03** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 3:52 pm

Hi guys, I would appreciate a bit of advice with regard to the seasonal problem of a discharged battery.

I have an 03 plate Mamola Boxer Cup Replica which I bought from Pidcocks in May of this year. I have not used the bike much over the past 5-6 weeks and now the battery is pretty flat.

I stripped the bodywork off and rigged up some wires from the battery to aid charging, and have had the bike on full charge for about 40 hours this weekend, but to no avail. The engine turns over about two revolutions and then I get the 'machine gun' noise from the starter soleniod. I cannot jump start the bike from the car either.

The battery charger indcates that the battery is fully charged and OK so would this signify a tight or partially seized engine?

Is there anything else I could try?

What could the problem be?

Any help would be appreciated.

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 4:58 am

Hi,

If you can't get the engine to turn even from a car battery - it sounds like the starter motor is faulty. (or - the ring gear on the engine is missing a tooth or two?) This could also apply to the pinion on the starter motor - take the motor off to check. (you could also spin it on the battery then to see what is happening?)

Get the engine in as high a gear as possible, and try moving the bike backwards or forwards a little - this will line up different teeth on the ring-gear. If it then starts - you may have found the problem. [I've gone back and re-read your post - and moving the starting position of the engine could prove useful. It sounds like you've managed to turn the engine but now the pinion is lined up with a missing tooth on the engine. if you turn the engine with the wheel, then take it out of gear and try the starter and it turns for a bit then chatters again - I would expect it to be the ring-gear]

I've never done this on a bike, but I am assuming that the starter motor is conventional?

Al

madman · Post by **madman** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 10:15 am

I wouldn't bother messing with it, just phone the dealer that you bought it from and let them sort it out. If you only biought it in May then the warranty should cover any problems.

julian · Post by **julian** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 10:23 am

My starter motor did that banging sound as the solenoid pushed out the pinion gear but did not turn. Was an intermittant fault (short?) on the starter motor coil - ended up haveing to change it.

Take the plastic cover off (one bolt) and the starter is released by two bolts. 10 minute job.

Ordinarily I would have thought that the battery was dead even though it indicated good (I had that as well) but if the car battery don't turn it then I reckon it's the starter. Warranty?

andybcr03 · Post by **andybcr03** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 5:38 pm

Thanks a lot for your comments guys.

I have got hold of a BMW charger and will give that a try for a couple of days before I get the dealer to come and fetch it. Having said that though the BMW charger is showing that the battery is fully charged but it will not turn over at all.

It is under warranty for 12 months but strangely enough the warranty clearly excludes battery faults!

I am really convinced that it is a battery related fault though as the bike has started fine all summer with no hint at all of starter problems.

Does anyone know if the BMW chargers are any good?

adamski49 · Post by **adamski49** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:09 pm

Despite what Chris says it is possible to jump start an S providing the battery has enough juice to power the fuel pump and prime the injectors... oh, and enough volunteers to push

Basically it's the same as any other bike, ignition on, 2nd gear, fast idle on, good push and dump the clutch - DO NOT TOUCH THE THROTTLE!

There should come a point where you can hear/feel the engine running rather than being pushed at which point you can coast on idle before applying a small amount of throttle. If it accelerates, pull in clutch and rev it. Try revving too early and it will die.

Had to do this in France on our last day when my mates S did the dreaded machine gun as were about to set off

He has since bought a new battery and no more problems. My machine gun was also laid to rest after a new battery. Optimate said healthy, starter said not.

HTH

Adam

P.S. There's a good chance this will kill the CAT as unburnt fuel and CAT's don't mix.

julian · Post by **julian** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 8:48 pm

adamski49 wrote:Despite what Chris says it is possible to jump start an S providing the battery has enough juice to power the fuel pump and prime the injectors... oh, and enough volunteers to push .

I've bump started mine at least 5 times. Two people pushing + the rider standing on the pegs and dropping hard on the seat when engaging clutch.

andybcr03 · Post by **andybcr03** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 4:11 pm

Thanks for your comments guys.

I stripped the bike and removed the existing battery and connected the power leads from the bike up to my car battery via jump leads. The bike started at the first push of the button and now the battery is on its way to the tip!

As a result a Hawker Odyssey PC680 is currently on order.

Hard to believe that the standard BMW (Exide) gel battery should give up the ghost after two years though.

winger · Post by **winger** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 6:51 pm

On order!!!!!

Who doesn't read all the postings then!!!!!!!

Chris