R1200GSA not starting

[wvm005]

Hello all,

Please go easy on me as I just joined :-).

I have a 2006 R1200 GS Adventure, 30k miles. I've just completed a 4000m trip around Europe last week, and the bike never missed a beat. I've been on it once since the trip last week, no problem. I'm running low on fuel, and was planning to refuel this morning (still about 35miles left in the tank, according to the display). I put the key in, start the bike, no problem, first touch as normal. I pushed it back from the garage, let it idle whilst putting my helmet on. I then lift the bike off the side stand, sit on it, and at this point it starts to caugh and dies. I try to re-start, to no avail. New battery is turning the engine really well, but the bike won't start. I'm thinking this is strange - could I have run of of fuel? I've been lower that this before, and it never died on me like this.
I added some (fresh) fuel I had in the garage (about 2.5L), tried again, to no avail. Turning great, but not firing. No errors on the display (non ABS model).

When I turn the key off, I hear the pump making the usual noises, as far as I can tell...

Now that I think about it - I did have a idling problem twice in the morning on my EU trip - only very briefly when cold in the morning, and only in high altitude in Alps - I put it down to that and never thought any more of it. It was Ok when back to normal altitudes.

Any ideas what could have happened?

Thanks
V.

[pdxrmccgs]

I would look first at the possibility of water in your fuel tank. Your facts
kind of have "water" classical symptoms.

Welcome to the forum.

[wvm005]

Hi, I am just back from my garage, where I removed the pump controller. It was dry, looks intact, not damaged and in good condition. I measured the voltage on the blue and yellow cables when cranking the engine - about 3.5v. I guess this means it is working? Or should it be higher?
But - I can hear some clicking noises when i turn the key on, however it's the same noises i get even with the pump disconnected; so to be honest I am not sure if the pump is coming on or not. The noises are coming from near the cylinder heads. What is the best way to check the tank for water, draining it? How is that best done?

Thanks.
V

[marc]

The tank comes off easily, but before you drain the tank you might want to check some simple things... If you know someone with a GS-911 you can have them check for any faults. You can pull the air cleaner and make sure a mouse didn't decide to build a nest in the snorkel or air box. You can pull the injectors one at a time and aim them toward a bucket when trying to start the engine. That will tell you if you are getting fuel. If the air intake is OK and the injectors are doing their job you can pull the plugs and check for cracks. Also give the stick coils a good looking over.

[pdxrmccgs]

Battery voltage should be 12.6 to 12.9 volts just sitting there. Crank the
engine and it should not go below 9.5 to 10 volts.

The clicking noise is usually the "starter selenoid" trying to activate
so as to allow cranking of the engine. This usually indicates battery is
"worn out".

The health of a sealed AGM battery is difficult or impossible to
evaluate and should be replaced every 2 or 3 years. (batteries like
people have personalities and some will go a lot longer)

Some folks have been able to pull a tank return line and just allow
pump to purge entire fuel system.

If you do a injector test spray into clear glass bottle for visual and
smell test.

Realize that a battery may take a charge and show 12.6 or so volts
but its useful life may be over if its internal chemistry is worn out.
On batteries where you can get to the electrolite you could check
for "specific gravity" with the floating balls drill but you can not
on sealed batteries.

To double check your clicking noise find your starter selenoid
(roundish thingy sitting on the starter motor) and just touch it to
verify that it is making the noise. Or the cowboy way put a
1/2 inch piece of hose on it to use as a stethoscope.

Hope this helps.

[wvm005]

Thanks Marc. Unfortunately I don't know anyone with a GS-911. I'll check the air cleaner - but I doubt it would be a mouse; we have a cat that cleared the whole area of all mice ;-).
I must dig out the manual - I've not been near the injectors before, is it easy to remove? I will check the coils and plugs, although they were done about 6k miles ago by BMW.

Cheers
V.

Originally Posted by marc

The tank comes off easily, but before you drain the tank you might want to check some simple things... If you know someone with a GS-911 you can have them check for any faults. You can pull the air cleaner and make sure a mouse didn't decide to build a nest in the snorkel or air box. You can pull the injectors one at a time and aim them toward a bucket when trying to start the engine. That will tell you if you are getting fuel. If the air intake is OK and the injectors are doing their job you can pull the plugs and check for cracks. Also give the stick coils a good looking over.

[wvm005]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I don't think it will be the battery - I installed a brand new Yuasa just before the trip (3 weeks ago), and it's cranking like never before. The clicking I was refering to is not the "nearly dead battery" that can't turn over, it's something to do with the injection and does it as soon as you turn the key on, and also when you turn it off (not the starter button being pushed, just the ignition key - some kind of priming, I guess). However I think there used to be another more audible noise before (on ignition key turn), I guess the pump - should I be able to hear it? Anyhow, if I do the injector test, that will tell me if the pump is working or not. I just need to find out how ;-).

Oh, the pump controller I have is the one with green seal, so I guess the newer one. One more thing - my bike did not have the plastic cover that's seen in the youtube video on the subject - is this normal on Adventure, or has someone already had a problem before me and removed it? I'm the second owner.

Everyone's help is much appreciated!
V.

Originally Posted by pdxrmccgs

Battery voltage should be 12.6 to 12.9 volts just sitting there. Crank the
engine and it should not go below 9.5 to 10 volts.

The clicking noise is usually the "starter selenoid" trying to activate
so as to allow cranking of the engine. This usually indicates battery is
"worn out".

The health of a sealed AGM battery is difficult or impossible to
evaluate and should be replaced every 2 or 3 years. (batteries like
people have personalities and some will go a lot longer)

Some folks have been able to pull a tank return line and just allow
pump to purge entire fuel system.

If you do a injector test spray into clear glass bottle for visual and
smell test.

Realize that a battery may take a charge and show 12.6 or so volts
but its useful life may be over if its internal chemistry is worn out.
On batteries where you can get to the electrolite you could check
for "specific gravity" with the floating balls drill but you can not
on sealed batteries.

To double check your clicking noise find your starter selenoid
(roundish thingy sitting on the starter motor) and just touch it to
verify that it is making the noise. Or the cowboy way put a
1/2 inch piece of hose on it to use as a stethoscope.

Hope this helps.

[marc]

Originally Posted by wvm005

I've not been near the injectors before, is it easy to remove?

Quite simple. Careful with the O-rings.

[pdxrmccgs]

This is just a heads up...I don't know for sure but...on some
pulse injected engines if they have been run out of fuel they to be
primed or purged to get rid of air in the injector system. I have no idea
if this applies to the GS, or what procedure is used.

[wvm005]

Thanks - and just pull the injector out, I presume? Seems simple enough - famous last words ;-)

Cheers
V.

Originally Posted by marc

Quite simple. Careful with the O-rings.

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