BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

With the engine running at a fast idle, just needs a multimeter across the battery, how difficult is that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvRe9g_2gyM

David. wrote: With the engine running at a fast idle, just needs a multimeter across the battery, how difficult is that.

That will test the alternator output voltage not the drain on the system when switched of or overnight.  If it was only that simple....

Putting the multimeter in series with the battery will measure any current drain on the battery, simples!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhqZwLnD9Jk

Thank god for you tube and Google.


Your comment about testing the alternator output on a fast idle wouldn't point you you in the correct direction for a intermittent none start, as the test meter would tell you if there was enough voltage in the battery prior to starting and running on a fast idle.
So how difficult is it to test a battery with a test meter....not very.

Both BMW dealers have done no more than one, change the battery and two, charge the battery.

Other than that, there is nothing wrong with the bike!

The battery is going flat, either not being charged on the bike or a current drain when switched off.

DaveCly wrote:Over the past couple of months, I have seen the battery symbol come up, and the dash reset itself.

So I was happy to go along with the mechanic’s call on the battery.

Just been back in the garage to try and start it and the battery symbol is showing again, first time this week it’s shown itself, new battery was fitted.

The Rider's Manual says the vehicle voltage can be displayed via the OBC, don't need a multimeter.

David. wrote:

The battery is going flat, either not being charged on the bike.

Most likely the this^. Had a similar problem with my lads R6 a few years ago. Nothings been added to Dave's bike to cause additional drain on the battery, The battery's new, so shouldn't be any problems there.. The battery's probably not being charged whilst on the bike while running.

Sorry for the late reply boys ! Been on BB shift !


David ... I don’t blame any dealership (yet)..  Douglas Park fitted a new battery as asked ... time was tight so diagnostic’s didn’t happen !


Williams ... I told a new battery had been fit, i can only assume that it was.
Again I presumed that the bike would go on diagnostic’s as part of the service ??
While in Inveraray the bike wouldn’t start .. but 3 hours later when the recovery guy turned up it did ... thinking about it surely it can’t recharge itself ?


I’m thinking on the lines of Sim/ David ... something is draining the battery, I hope they can tell me what


Mike ... nothing paid yet

DaveCly wrote:While Inveraray the bike wouldn’t start but 3 hours later when the recovery guy turned up it did.

Ah, I did wonder how the recovery guy got the bike started. Yet, Williams said the battery was flat. Very strange indeed.

Hi


A few years back I had a Triumph sprint GT that would not start when hot.  Behaved like the battery was flat  turned out to be a faulty starter.  The tolerances were out and when hot things jammed up  as soon as it cooled down it started normally.    Took ages to find the problem  Triumph replaced it under warranty.

Had a starter motor do similar to me years ago. But needed bike to be left in sun to warm up b4 starting got be home from Europe then died completely

My 2015 RT exhibited a similar problem. Dealer replaced the battery but it would go flat after a few days. Dealer then suggested I bring the bike back for a software upgrade. Apparently the accessory socket, even without a load on it, wouldn't turn off and was causing the battery to drain. It was a known service item. I didn't understand how that could happen but the bike has been fine since the upgrade.

emlevy wrote: My 2015 RT exhibited a similar problem. Dealer replaced the battery but it would go flat after a few days. Dealer request I bring the bike back for a software upgrade. Apparently the accessory socket, even without a load on it, wouldn't turn off and was causing the battery to drain. It was a known service item. I didn't understand how that could happen but the bike has been fine since the upgrade.

Thanks for that .... all things I can put to the dealer to get it rectified

Well just a little update still no bike back, and today told they admit it has a drain on the battery, but as yet don’t know from where

Well finally today I got the bike back ! They couldn’t find a drain, and decided the new battery fitted at Douglas Motorrad Glasgow was at fault! So Williams have fitted a new battery and will have to claim for it back from Glasgow ! Because I wasn’t paying for another, much to their disappointment!
I was told last night by warranty that the bike would be with me before 12 lunchtime today at 12.50 they rang to say it would be up to 90mins at 4.30 they rang and said it would be in the next 60 mins it finally turned up at 6pm !
In all pretty dismal service imo from start to finish

Hope it was dud battery but very sceptical on that one. Shounds like they couldn't find fault, and terrible custom service.