starting problems

[Michaeldale]

Please don't laugh to loud, you may upset the neighbors. I did a really dumb move today. I went to jump start the LT, using a jump box. I saw a spark from the positive side of the battery. The LT cranked up but no lights and the starter kept turning. After reading the hall of wisdom section. I think my starter relay is struck and the battery has shorted out. I have no instrument lights, no front or rear lights. I've checked all of the fuses and they're okay. With the power in the off and you connect the jump box. The starter turns the engine over. This may help tell part of the story. I was doing some wiring on my trailer and let the battery run down with the lights on. Any help, comments on possible problems. Also can someone give me a ball park dollar amount, I might be looking at. Thank's in advance. Mike

[vernvernvern]

Please don't laugh to loud, you may upset the neighbors. I did a really dumb move today. I went to jump start the LT, using a jump box. I saw a spark from the positive side of the battery. The LT cranked up but no lights and the starter kept turning. After reading the hall of wisdom section. I think my starter relay is struck and the battery has shorted out. I have no instrument lights, no front or rear lights. I've checked all of the fuses and they're okay. With the power in the off and you connect the jump box. The starter turns the engine over. This may help tell part of the story. I was doing some wiring on my trailer and let the battery run down with the lights on. Any help, comments on possible problems. Also can someone give me a ball park dollar amount, I might be looking at. Thank's in advance. Mike

I do simple things first.

Make sure your starter button didn't stick down. The headlights go off when the starter button is pushed. I don't think the tail lights go out at the same time though.

Sounds like you might have a solenoid stuck. Try disconnecting the battery, charge it up full, then touch the positive to see if the sudden hit of a full battery weon't jar the solenoid loose. Works sometimes.

Hope you don't have a bigger problem..................good luck!

Other pros in here will be giving their ideas soon. :bmw:

[meese]

You have a stuck starter relay, a common problem on '01 and earlier LT's when trying to start the bike with a low battery. It is usually possible to unstick the relay without taking the bike apart, but the best fix is to replace the starter relay with an upgraded version.

You can do a search (http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/search.php?) for "stuck starter relay" to find lots of info, such as this useful thread (http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12093).

[Michaeldale]

Tk's a lot guys. When the dealership opens up on Tuesday. I'll check on the relay. Again tk's. MK