Discussion
I got all kitted up to go out yesterday to enjoy the glorious weather here in Edinburgh only to find my bike (BMW XCountry 650) completely dead. It happened last week as well but I thought I might have left the ignition on one of the intermediary settings, but I now think I have an issue.
On each occasion I left the bike for 2-3 days (I normally use it every day). It has started happening since I serviced it (oil/filters/plugs), but I also moved the wiring around as the previous owner had fitted a battery which was too big (I’ve since replaced it with an AGM battery 6 months ago) so the airbox didn’t sit properly on the frame; I now think I might have disrupted something…..
I checked the battery with a multimeter in series and I’m getting a reading of 0.04mah - does this sound like it would drain the battery over 2-3 days?
Thanks.
On each occasion I left the bike for 2-3 days (I normally use it every day). It has started happening since I serviced it (oil/filters/plugs), but I also moved the wiring around as the previous owner had fitted a battery which was too big (I’ve since replaced it with an AGM battery 6 months ago) so the airbox didn’t sit properly on the frame; I now think I might have disrupted something…..
I checked the battery with a multimeter in series and I’m getting a reading of 0.04mah - does this sound like it would drain the battery over 2-3 days?
Thanks.
If the battery was completely flat it could well be dead now and unable to hold a charge which may explain why it was flat the second time of charging.
Could you take the battery off the bike, charge and then leave it for a few days and see if when connected to the bike it starts, that would hopefully prove if the battery is a dud?
You say you have moved the loom, so your logic sounds right and you would need to retrace what was moved and check any wiring/connectors etc.
Could you take the battery off the bike, charge and then leave it for a few days and see if when connected to the bike it starts, that would hopefully prove if the battery is a dud?
You say you have moved the loom, so your logic sounds right and you would need to retrace what was moved and check any wiring/connectors etc.
Go buy one of those boost charger packs, charge it up and take it with you. You can at least go out and enjoy the remaining good weather and fix the problem later.
It does sound like a dead battery, possibly a parasitic drain or you've left something on. Dead batteries can't always be resurrected despite the best efforts of optimate et al.
It does sound like a dead battery, possibly a parasitic drain or you've left something on. Dead batteries can't always be resurrected despite the best efforts of optimate et al.
Steve_H80 said:
Go buy one of those boost charger packs, charge it up and take it with you. You can at least go out and enjoy the remaining good weather and fix the problem later.
It does sound like a dead battery, possibly a parasitic drain or you've left something on. Dead batteries can't always be resurrected despite the best efforts of optimate et al.
Its a bit of a faff but this is a good idea. The alarm on my Triumph is notorious for draining the battery when left parked up, and it doesnt help that my battery isnt the best anyway. It does sound like a dead battery, possibly a parasitic drain or you've left something on. Dead batteries can't always be resurrected despite the best efforts of optimate et al.
I bought a boost pack from Halfords, its about the size of a pocket diary and fits under the seat even though storage is very limited. Reassurance that when I get to the garage I know I'll be able to get the bike started, and I've managed to jump start another lad that left his hot grips on when stopped for lunch.
Good advice re the boost pack.
The battery had been charging for the best part of 36 hours (it was completely flat) and when I disconnected the charger (small 1amp Noco) and turned the ignition on this morning the dash was showing only 11.9v which I thought was odd but it fired into life; when I started it this went up to a more healthy 13.3v, and I've done around 70 miles on it today and the dash display has been consistently showing around 13.9-14.2v.
I will keep an eye on it without charging it for the next few days, and check voltage and for any parasitic draw.
The battery had been charging for the best part of 36 hours (it was completely flat) and when I disconnected the charger (small 1amp Noco) and turned the ignition on this morning the dash was showing only 11.9v which I thought was odd but it fired into life; when I started it this went up to a more healthy 13.3v, and I've done around 70 miles on it today and the dash display has been consistently showing around 13.9-14.2v.
I will keep an eye on it without charging it for the next few days, and check voltage and for any parasitic draw.
14.2 is the low end of acceptable charging volts.
13.9 is just above 'treading water'.
One of the more bizarre things which may cause this on an EFI bike is a choked fuel filter, it makes the pump draw a lot of current!
It may be normal, RT-jolly old M as they say. Soe bikes don't charge ever so miuch at low RPM with the lights on.
13.9 is just above 'treading water'.
One of the more bizarre things which may cause this on an EFI bike is a choked fuel filter, it makes the pump draw a lot of current!
It may be normal, RT-jolly old M as they say. Soe bikes don't charge ever so miuch at low RPM with the lights on.
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