K11 Owners Group

RDNZL · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 12:24 pm Post subject: Starter Problem

Hi All - Out of the blue yesterday on the way home from work after a stop at the store for 10 mnutes, got on the bike ('96 K100RS) and turned on the key. Heard the fuel pump engage and hit the starter button and Nothing!

All lights looked good, clutch pulled in, etc. I put her in neutral, left the clutch out and still nothing....not a sound....no cranking or anything. I was near a hill and thought I could jump start her. Rolled a few feet, popped the clutch and heard what sounded like the clutch engaging gears, but she didn't start. I tried the starter switch then and she started right up as normal and I rode home with no problems.

Got home, turned her off and and tried to start again....nothing...again. I am on a flat gravelly driveway so couldn't get any momentum to try and spin the starter again so there she sits.

I've read through previous starter problem threads and am not convinced that cleaning is the right answer, though I may be wrong. I'm not sure if it's ever been done, so probably due anyways....I've got about 25k on in the past 2 years or so.

Any other thoughts besides cleaning the starter? I am not a very good wrencher with limited tools, but will attempt fairly straightforward repairs.

Note that I did have a loose kick stand a year ago that caused the bike to cut out on me while riding, but that seems secure, though I didn't spend too much time under there last night.

Mahalo!
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1996 K1100RS

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 7:37 pm Post subject:

If you can hear the fuel pump, it's not going to be the sidestand switch..

Is the headlight on when this is happening? Does the headlight go off when you press the start switch?

Take and check the large multi contact connector at the motronic control unit. Unplug it and re-seat it a couple of times and see how it works for you.
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Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

RDNZL · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 11:40 am Post subject:

atlantaboblutz@live.com · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 6:32 pm Post subject:

Easy to chk is if starter relay is throwing power down there. She needs juice to crank.
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Thanks,
Bob
Atlanta GA

'94 K1100 LT
'76 R75/6

RDNZL · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 8:25 am Post subject:

I brought it to Vallantine's on Saturday. Got a call a couple hours later and the clutch switch is bad. Part on order and should be ready end of the day Tuesday. Thanks for all the input here.

(I stopped by my local guy on this side of the Sound and didn't want to mess with anything electrical on the BMW. I appreciate him knowing his limits. Stopped by another shop someone recommended and asked him if he worked on BMWs? "Yep, we've worked on a couple of those." That cemented my choice to bring it over to VMW.
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1996 K1100RS