No Clock Until Bike Starts

[John Bellantonio]

I went out to the garage to check on my 02 RT and the bike's clock showed nothing. I figured my battery was dead but when I turned the key the clock came on showing 00:00 and the headlight came on and the bike started. It was about 30 F. degrees. I started the bike several times without a problem. The clock does display when the bike is running but does not when the bike is turned off. Here is another symptom. When I plug in the battery tender via the accessory plug (like I have for years) the tender light blinks red indicating no connection is being made. The last time I rode the bike was 12/07/08 and today is 12/22/08. Can anyone tell me what the heck is going on. Thanks in advance.

[snod]

My first suspicion would be loose or corroded connection(s) at the battery. You should be able to wiggle the battery cables without pulling the tupperwear. See if moving either cable makes the clock come on. If it does, disasemble and clean/tighten.

[T__]

John, first thing to check is the fuse in the under seat fuse box.. (I think #3 fuse but I don’t have a fuse layout in from of me here) so check them all.. If the clock keep alive fuse is blown & that is the same for the accessory socket that you are back charging through you can kill both birds with one stone (well one new fuse)..

 

The clock has two inputs,, one is live only when the ign switch is on & the other is always live through a 15 amp fuse (I think #3 fuse).. If the clock only comes on with the key on & then comes on at 00:00 that usually means the full time power into the RID is not working (15 amp fuse)..

 

I also believe one of your accessory sockets is also powered by that same fuse.. (if the charger current can’t get back to the battery through that fuse it won’t work)

 

 

Twisty

 

[John Bellantonio]

Snod, Thanks for the response. Would the bike start if there was a connection issue at the battery?

[John Bellantonio]

Twisty, Thank you so much for the quick response. It is snowing like crazy here at the moment and I have too much going on to check the bike right now. I will check the fuses as soon as I can. I will let you know the outcome. It may take a day or so. Thanks again.

[waylap]

Now THAT is a mustache!

 

I wish I could raise one like that.

[11101110]

Hijack

Hey we have a Buena Vista in Virginia, though I can guarnetee that it is pronounced different . Route 501 and 60 through Buena Vista are nice and twisty.

[snod]

Would the bike start if there was a connection issue at the battery?

 

3 years ago I replaced the battery on my '97. About 2 weeks, maybe 3, after the replacement I had several intermitant low voltage ABS faults. After another few days I had the same symptom you describe with the clock. Upon close inspection of the negative battery connection, I found the threads pulled out of the nut, and therefore a connection that was very intermitant, but not obviously loose. I never had a problem starting, other than the low voltage faults. I don't think I ever tried charging. Twisty may be right on with the fuse. (probably, he's pretty good!) Your description made me think of the failure I had previously created myself.

[bmwmick]

Twisty, Thank you so much for the quick response. It is snowing like crazy here at the moment and I have too much going on to check the bike right now. I will check the fuses as soon as I can. I will let you know the outcome. It may take a day or so. Thanks again.

 

John,

Twisty is correct, F3 (15A) powers both the RID keep-alive and the accessory sockets.

 

Mick

[John Bellantonio]

Hey guys, it is fixed! Twisty was correct. The #3 fuse was toast and after replacing it everything is working as it should. Thanks to all for the quick and thoughtful responses. This discussion board is totally invaluable if you own and enjoy BMWs. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

[John Bellantonio]

Re: The mustache. I have had it without a break since I was 18 years old and I am now 60. It should look good by now! Thanks for the compliment.

[LGannon]

I've just noted the same symptoms this morning, fuse 3 is ok, do I really have to pull the plastic to check the battery terminals? :-(

I just changed the battery a couple of weeks ago and have had no starting problems since, could a loose terminal cause this symptom?

[T__]

LGannon, what time does the clock come on at? If 00:00 then probably a fuse or poor fuse connection..

 

I know you checked the #3 fuse but check it again (don’t just look at it but measure it with an ohmmeter or install new one).. In fact check all the fuses.. Sometimes a fuse can look good but have a hidden open in it..

 

If it isn’t a fuse (again, verify that all the fuses are good) then possibly a wire connection or other issue..

 

If it starts OK (every time) then the chances of your problem being a loose battery connection is rather slim..

 

Again check ALL the fuses..

 

You can probably work a flex wrench in there to check the battery connections but if the dash lights come on when you first turn the key on they are probably tight enough to operate the clock..

 

I guess if you still doubt the battery connections just turn the key to parking lights.. If the parking lights are on but the clock isn’t then your problem definitely isn’t the battery connections..

 

 

Twisty

 

[LGannon]

Thanks for the input twisty, the clock comes on 00:00 every time, fuses are good, i tested them with a fluke continuity tester and yes the parking light comes on as you described, so i'm guessing it could be a broken wire I'll test the integrity of the wire from fuse 3 to the RID at pin 5 and take it from there.

 

Les

[T__]

Les, does fuse #3 have power to it? Maybe a problem on the #3 fuse battery power feed side..

 

Twisty

 

[LGannon]

good thinking, I'll go check that first.

[LGannon]

Guess what? I just went out to check fuse 3 again and the clock is back on! maybe i should pull the plastic and check the battery terminals over the weekend.