[TerryN]

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum. Just joined today. After reading and accepting the terms I tried to search as suggested for an answer to my question but it didn't turn up any results so here I go creating my own thread.

Three months ago I purchased my 2008 LT from my BMW dealer. It only had 1075 miles on it. It looks and runs like new. Since purchasing it I've ridden it approx. 2,000 miles. On a trip to South Carolina over the Easter Holiday the bike wouldn't turn over when I turned on the key and hit the starter button. Thinking it was something to do with my key fob I turn on/of the immobilizer which didnt resolve the issue. I checked to make sure it was in neutral, side stand wasn't down and the kill switch wasn't swithed to off. Nothing made a difference. Then as we stood around the bike with the key on wondering what to due next I hear the sound of a servo motor running for a second or two and stop. I immediately hit the starter button and it started.

I road the bike home and this problem has repeated itself when I attempted to ride it to work. If I let the bike set with the ignition key on for 3 to 5 minutes and hear that sero motor sound the bike will start. After the bike starts and I run it for awhile when I shut it off for a short period of time it will start right up. The sero motor sound occurs immediately at the time I turn on the key

Even though the bike is like new it is out of warranty. Any suggestions or insights on what may be wrong would be greatly appreciated. I relly miss riding it to work.

 

[lesn]

What you are hearing is the fuel pump and without it--there is no start. Could it be defective ? Why not take it back, they should guarantee this item, for such short period.
Others with more knowledge will chime in I am sure.

 

[johnbaker15]

Terry,
Welcome to the site. Don't know what you used as a search string but sometimes looking into the Hall of Wisdom will help.

That said, couple things you should be checking, what is the battery voltage with the bike not running? While you are checking that be sure to check that all the connections are tight, pay attention to the back of the battery where the brown wires go to a common point just to the back of the battery. Note; Brown is ground.

 

[hp1bmw]

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum. Just joined today. After reading and accepting the terms I tried to search as suggested for an answer to my question but it didn't turn up any results so here I go creating my own thread.

Three months ago I purchased my 2008 LT from my BMW dealer. It only had 1075 miles on it. It looks and runs like new. Since purchasing it I've ridden it approx. 2,000 miles. On a trip to South Carolina over the Easter Holiday the bike wouldn't turn over when I turned on the key and hit the starter button. Thinking it was something to do with my key fob I turn on/of the immobilizer which didnt resolve the issue. I checked to make sure it was in neutral, side stand wasn't down and the kill switch wasn't swithed to off. Nothing made a difference. Then as we stood around the bike with the key on wondering what to due next I hear the sound of a servo motor running for a second or two and stop. I immediately hit the starter button and it started.

I road the bike home and this problem has repeated itself when I attempted to ride it to work. If I let the bike set with the ignition key on for 3 to 5 minutes and hear that sero motor sound the bike will start. After the bike starts and I run it for awhile when I shut it off for a short period of time it will start right up. The sero motor sound occurs immediately at the time I turn on the key


Sounds like the noise you are hearing is actually the fuel pump pressuring up the fuel system. I would check the connector on the fuel pump to be sure it is tight. You will have to remove the right side body panel to get to it. I would also turn the kill switch on & off several times to be sure there is not a corrosion problem on the switch. It may have gotten water inside somehow. Next I would check the side stand switch for proper contact. make sure it is making a positive connection with the stand up. There is a plug where the side stand switch plugs into the wiring harness on the left side under the drivers seat area, follow the wire up from the switch and check that connector.
Good Luck

 

[TerryN]

Terry,
Welcome to the site. Don't know what you used as a search string but sometimes looking into the Hall of Wisdom will help.

That said, couple things you should be checking, what is the battery voltage with the bike not running? While you are checking that be sure to check that all the connections are tight, pay attention to the back of the battery where the brown wires go to a common point just to the back of the battery. Note; Brown is ground.

John,
The battery voltage with the key off is 12.5. I followed the brown wire from the battery post to the common point all connections are tight without any signs of corrosion.
Thanks,
Terry

 

[johnbaker15]

I checked to make sure it was in neutral, side stand wasn't down and the kill switch wasn't swithed to off. Nothing made a difference. Then as we stood around the bike with the key on wondering what to due next I hear the sound of a servo motor running for a second or two and stop. I immediately hit the starter button and it started.

Terry, did you check the reverse switch. Try wiggling it off and one a couple times to be sure it is in the correct position.

 

[gary45]

John,
The battery voltage with the key off is 12.5. I followed the brown wire from the battery post to the common point all connections are tight without any signs of corrosion.
Thanks,
Terry

12 volt battery is 13.2 volts when good, I have a 2000 with the old starter relay but I understand the newer one protects itself by preventing a start if the voltage is low could 12.5 be marginal enough to stop a start

 

[jzeiler]

If the servos don't sound and the dash dials don't do a full swing immediately after you turn on the key, then I suspect a faulty ignition switch. But if the dials swing but no servo sound then something is loose in the power feed area.

 

[TerryN]

Thank you again for your input. I put my my charger on the bike for the night and will see if it makes a difference come morning. I'll be sure to try switching the reverser lever back and forth also.
Thanks,
Terry

 

[TerryN]

The dials swing but no servo motor sound.

What do you mean by power feed area?

Thanks
Terry

 

[kimokk]

Any update?

 

[TerryN]

I'm still trying to schedule a service appointment with the BMW dealer to have them diagnosis whats going on. They are backed up with service call due to the time of year.
The owner has offered to let me drop off my bike and send me on my way with a loaner for a few days untill they can get to mine. I'm probably going to go this route. It's just that I was hoping that this was something simple that I could fix myself and save some money.

Anyway this morning I was able to ride to work. I timed it and it took almost exactly five minutes sitting with the ignition on before the sero motor sounded and I was able to start the bike. It seems to take longer the colder it is out.

Thanks for asking!
Terry

 

[kimokk]

You're welcome. I'm intimately curious of your problem since I'm about to buy an '05 KLT with 9800 miles on it and am worried about your situation. I have two Beemers also (740iL and 530i) which are giving me constant maintenance issues so I don't know if I want another headache to worry about.

I also see another thread on here with a trike having similar no start issues.

 

[johnbaker15]

The dials swing but no servo motor sound.

What do you mean by power feed area?

Thanks
Terry

Terry,
I think jzeiler is talking about both the fuse area and under the tank are some relay's that distribute power to all parts of the bike. Another guess to try before the dealer is to remove and reseat the fuses. Sometimes they develop corrosion and will cause a strange electrical issue. I don't really think it is this but easy fix if it is. The other area is under that gas tank and you will need a tupperware removal first to get to that spot.

 

[TerryN]

John,
Thanks for the explaination. I'm trying to work up the courage to tackle removing the tupperware & gas tank tonight and checking the fuses etc as has been suggested. I'll update everyone tomorrow.

By the way I have a good friend who lives in Dracut, MA. I have visited him a couple of times over the years. Love the history in the area.

Thanks,
Terry

 

[jzeiler]

I would be helpful if you watch your head light and see if it comes on right away when you turn on the key. If it does not light right away this would pin it down to the load shed relay and a starter gound issue. There is a single 5mm allen on the back side of the tranny cover where the starter goes into it. If that is loose it prevent the load shed relay from working and could prevent the starter from running.

There is a second tie point (insulated) behind the battery where all the feeds to the starter are (from the starter relay and from the reverser controller). Or it could just be a dirty ignition switch.

 

[WVMSFRS]

My 2009 is having a similar problem, hit the start buttom, nothing. I mean totally nothing. I jump start it thinking weak battery, ride 145 miles, eat, dead. Call Roadside Ass to get jump, ride 90 miles to dealereship. 101 dollars later, can't find anything. Maybe I left something on and caused a battery issue. Ride 5 miles for gas, DEAD, get a jump ride 120 miles home and now it's started 8 or 10 times. I have the body off and the gas tank, where is this 5mm bolt located.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Rocketsled]

Replace your battery....and get a new dealership(!).

 

[WVMSFRS]

It's not the battery. The times it did not start the gauges only swong half way around. Does that have some meaning. Change dealerships, yea to a Honda one.

 

[jzeiler]

I have the body off and the gas tank, where is this 5mm bolt located.

Thanks, Mike

Right here. If loose can cause dash and lights to go crazy above 3,000rpm. It ensures a positive ground to the starter that is trapped between the transmission and engine oil baths sealed by o-rings.

But if your lights come on OK and it will not crank I don't suspect this. The starter relay has sensing electronics and will not allow the starter to engage below about 12.2 volts or so.