Help! '96 R1100RT Won't start/jump, etc...

[Ron Compton]

Just sold this bike to a buddy, been running fine, but maybe the battery was getting close to end of life(?). I used a battery tender daily, so maybe I didn't notice. Anyway, he rides the bike in, started ok, but a little slow this morning. Harder to start leaving work, but it started and a couple miles later the bike died and wouldn't restart. Tried jumping, but the bike just slow clicks, like a dead battery, even with solid connections to a good battery on a non-running car. I will replace the battery, but wouldn't the bike still start with a jump? Lights come on, ABS clicking/flashing, just too dead to turn over: a couple slowly dying clicks, then nothing. The bike is sitting in someones yard until I can go pick it up tomorrow with a trailer. Am I wasting time trying to swing by to try a new battery first? Alternator belt was replaced a couple thousand miles ago, headlight replaced last night. Other than that, nothing has really been done.

 

Thanks if you have any ideas!

[smiller]

If the battery is really flat and the jumper cable wire gauge is marginal then you might well see slow cranking even during a jump. Another possibility is a poor (dirty or corroded) connection at the battery terminals or a weak starter, but if the connections are clean and battery is old I'd tend to suspect it first.

[VinnyR11]

If the connections are good and the battery you're jumping to is good, and the lights/ABS/displays are working fine, then it sounds like it could be a starter issue. I'd triple check connections, try to start again with an absolutely certain good battery, and then check the starter.

 

 

[philbytx]

If the headlight is bright and the horn and everything works fine with the battery, then it could well be a starter issue. The magnets in early Valeo (1995 on) are known for detached magnets.

 

[Ron Compton]

Thanks for the advise, guys. Went over this morning and put in a new/fully charged Odyssey PC680, and the same thing. So the starter is next. Should I replace the whole starter? I see BMW wants $464. I can get an OE Valeo one for +/- $180. Should I try that next, or is there anything else I should check?

[RTCHIEF]

Check your battery ground cable?

[philbytx]

If the ground cables are sound, I would lean toward a duff starter.

go to www.euromotoelectrics.com for your electrical needs!!

 

John's a nice guy with good prices and will help you with questions, and parts if you ONLY want to rebuild the can on your starter (it contains the magnets).

 

 

[TimeToRide]

Did you try jumping the starter at the selenoid? Haven't had the RT long enough to know exactly how or where but if you bypass the selenoid with a screwdriver and the motor turns over your starter's good, if nothing jump it with a known good battery and there's one more piece of info. Of course all of the conections need checking here as well.

When I get into stuff like this I hope in the back of my mind that it's the battery or starter. Yes expensive but buy the time I've sorted out an electical problem I'm paying myself $0.05 an hour!

Allan

[Ron Compton]

Thanks, all. Replacement starter received and installed,as well as the new battery, and she appears to be all back to good!

[mshuell]

Two thumbs up for euromotoelectrics.com The starter on my 1996 RT was giving me a few warning signs last fall. Rather than fool around with it, I simply replaced the whole thing with a new Valeo from Euromotoelectrics. For reasons I don't understand, the new starter has lots more grunt than the old one ever did. Since mechanical things only break when you're exactly in the middle of Nowhere, the peace of mind of a new starter is well worth it.

 

Best Wishes, Mark Shuell.

[TheRoss]

I buy Bosch oil filters from John at euromotoelectrics. Very fast and friendly customer service!