BMW F800ST not starting?

[Trabbs]

Was using my bike to visit mother in hospital about 3 weeks ago but went to ride it yesterday and it wouldn’t start. Went through pre start routine, lights lit up and stopped - no warning lights. When I pressed the start button it tried to start and then just made clicking noises. I took battery out and charged it overnight. Tried again today and same result. Got multimeter out and tested voltage on battery -12.52. Any ideas what could be the issue? Sounds like electrical fault but wouldn’t know where to start looking. Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[Ferret]

Starter solenoid is the first place id look.

Then the starter motor itself

But the bettery should be around 13.2 after a charge

 

[Trabbs]

Okie doke. Every forum I have looked on seems to suggest it is the battery but don’t want to splash out on new battery only to find it doesn’t sort the problem. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Oggiman]

The resting 12v car battery charge with engine off should be about 12.7v and ideally 13.5~14.5v while engine running so the alternator is producing enough power to keep charging the battery.

But it should start engine even as low as 60% charge voltage as shown in the pic.

 

[miggy]

Try pushing it get a mate to help you. jump on and slam it in gear if it starts OK then the problem could be a seized starter.

 

[Trabbs]

Try pushing it get a mate to help you. jump on and slam it in gear if it starts OK then the problem could be a seized starter.

I have a very steep drive but don’t want to end up at the bottom of it with a non starting bike

 

[alimac]

Should always start with a bump would deffo think as ferret mentioned seems probable cause

 

[miggy]

I have a very steep drive but don’t want to end up at the bottom of it with a non starting bike

Ignition on, roll down and pop it in gear. It will start and it may even free your starter off.

 

[Trabbs]

Ordered a replacement battery and all sorted now.

 

[Dutcho]

Yeah the battery may show the correct voltage but as you've discovered an old battery will be down on cranking amps ;-) Happy riding

 

[motohod]

Dead battery is below 10 volts. In this case, voltage is ok, 12,6 but when is under load there is not enough current. Problem is in connection strips between cells.
I had a similar problem in my car, premium brand battery, just one month after warranty, clicking sound from starter. Jump start - ok. Charging ok, 14,3 v. Starting: trrrrrrr....tk.tktk.
Whitout load, 12,7 v. So, cells are ok, there are 6, good single cell is 2.1 v. Battery is sealed, only plugs for electrolyite.

DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME, THIS IS NOT "HOW TO"...
Batteries are not meant to be serviced. And they are full of acid. But... Hehehe..
Soldering iron, cut holes in top cover above connecting strips, they were just pressed together. Probably bad spot welding. Strips are made of lead, solder the connections, fill cut holes with hot glue, battery works, no leaks. I sold the car two years later, with this battery. It wos ugliy, but it has plastic cover over so... Somebody, someday wil wonder: wtf is this?
AGAIN, DONT TRY THIS. SIGNLE SPARK AND BATTERY CAN EXPLODE.
I use soldering iron and hot glue pistol. They don't spark. Other, grinders saws... No, dont do it.