Another 2005 LT starting problem gremlin

[Redleg_Rider]

Four days into an cross-country trip last year on a 2005 LT, I couldn't get the bike to start after parking it overnight at the motel on the center stand. It slow-started the prior day, but eventually fired. Had to jump-start it on day four, then rode to Albq., NM, dealer for checkout. Dealer found nothing wrong, but I replaced three-plus year old battery with gel type as insurance. Hard starting problem continued each morning for remainder of trip when left outside overnight, but once initially started, it started easily at every stop throughout the day. Didn't have to jump it anymore after one time on day four.

I had a complete 36K service done upon returning home, and had my dealer search for cause of starting problem. Couldn't find anything wrong, but suspected that something was causing a battery drain overnight. On five-day trip last week problem continued; had to jump start the bike each morning on the road except last day when we were heading back to the barn. (Maybe bike has an emotional problem, not mechanical??)

Other facts: (1) Only electrical accessories I added were Motolights three years ago and Garmin GPS mount in early 2008 , both switched. (2) Starter cranked every morning on both trips, but at slightly slower RPM during first start of the day (before jumping). (3) When at home, bike is on float charger in garage, and starts immediately first time, every time. (4) I turn key completely off (handlebar locked position) when stopping for the night. (5) Problem occurred in temps as low as the forties to as high as the seventies.

I also suspect a battery drain problem when bike is parked overnight after having been ridden hard all day (another common condition). Battery, starter, and alternator seem to check out OK at dealers'. Code reading doesn't show any problems.

Has anyone observed this failure mode or have any suggestions? I've read other threads concerning starting problems, but didn't see anything that seemed related to this particular situation.

[ehaughn]

I had a similar situation on my 2005. It was the battery in my case. I replaced it with the WesCo AGM battery. No issues since. I also had my old battery tested and all was good. But, I brought it to NAPA, who performed a CCA test, and it was 1/2 of what it should be.

I recommend you get a volt meter and check periodically (tender removed) and determine if you have leakage.

I checked mine every day. You can expect a minimal drop.

[Caveno]

Check your battery draw. Should be about .01 amp.
A lot of times it is the radio (if not something after-market), make sure it's completely switched off.

[Caveno]

Check your battery draw. Should be about .01 amp.
A lot of times it is the radio (if not something after-market), make sure it's completely switched off.

[mneblett]

Check your battery draw. Should be about .01 amp.
A lot of times it is the radio (if not something after-market), make sure it's completely switched off.
Not long after the LT came out, there was a rash of overnight dead batteries, which turned out to be due to a large batch of defective radios. BMW figured out what the problem was and replaced all the bad radios, and I don't recall any further issues with the radios since then -- but that doesn't mean that your radio isn't the one in 50,000+ later LT radios that is defective and drawing power when it shouldn't.

My first step after confirming the size of the battery draw would be to pull the radio fuse(s) overnight. Sorry I can't be of more help on which fuse(s) -- while I remember that the radio has two separate switched and unswitched power sources, I can't remember the fuse arrangements, and I'm away from home, so I don't have my LT schematics at hand -- your manual will tell you which fuses need to be pulled to isolate the radio.

[Redleg_Rider]

Thanks, guys, for all the great suggestions. I'll definitely follow up. I thought that the "new" BMW gel battery could be part of the problem, but it, and the original one, checked out OK by the BMW dealers. It wouldn't be the first time I'd bought a new battery that was defective. I hadn't heard about the radio issue, nor received any recall on it. I'll check that, too. Thanks again.

[mneblett]

I hadn't heard about the radio issue, nor received any recall on it.
There won't be any recall for a 2005 vintage LT -- BMW fixed this by mid-2000, if memory serves. My 2002, 2005 and 2006 LTs never had the issue (come to think of it, my mid-late 2000 LT didn't either). I just mentioned it as a potential source of a freak failure that could be a witch to track down. If nothing else, I'd pull fuse(s) overnight to rule it out.