Won't start but will sound like a tommy gun...

[LotusJones]

Hi all. Got a new-to-me '04 r1150r w/ 37k. Yesterday it wouldn't turn over but I could hear a tat-tat-tat-tat-tat rapid fire type noise coming from the starter. Figured the battery was near death (it has a westco agm battery of unknown age), so I hooked it up to the charger overnite. Today, same thing, btw, the bmw charger was full green indicating a good charge. I figure I'll be pulling the battery out and having my dealer check it, or I could if I knew how to use my voltmeter thingy. Or could this be the starter going bad?

Thanks for the expertise.
-LJ

[CycleRob]

LotusJones,

It's a dead battery. The starter solenoid is cycling violently on/off as the low current that barely actuates the solenoid goes to zero when it makes the connection to the very hungry starter, it kills the current then shuts off and the cycle repeats as soon as the low battery current returns. As soon as you hear the first shot of the Tommy Gun . . . LET GO OF THE STARTER BUTTON!! It's very hard on the Bendix, solenoid linkage, gears and solenoid contacts.

About your charger. If it charges by current without limiting the voltage as many older car battery chargers do it can permanently damage the battery if the voltage exceeds 15V. The excess voltage boils off as gasses the normally sealed in electrolyte out the emergency vent taking with it it's lifespan and full power capabilities.

.

[boxermania]

Just a clarification to the post of my steemed friend and politico extraordinare CycleRob. When we were growing up, many moons ago, it was common practice to call the starter solenoid "Bendix" as it was manufactured by Bendix Electrical Corp.

So don't be surprised if you see it called by it's name or Bendix........

BTW, I agree with ROB on the call.....or you can also have a loose cable on the battery or the starter motor. Good luck

[towerworker]

You might also want to check the antifreeze level in the radiators.

[LotusJones]

You might also want to check the antifreeze level in the radiators.

That's the second thing I tried - right after rotating my tires.

Thanks for the replies. I kinda figured (hoped) it was the battery, but a dead boxer in the front yard makes a noob fear for the worse... like Bendix dysfunction.

-LJ

[bransan]

Just a clarification to the post of my steemed friend and politico extraordinare CycleRob. When we were growing up, many moons ago, it was common practice to call the starter solenoid "Bendix" as it was manufactured by Bendix Electrical Corp.

So don't be surprised if you see it called by it's name or Bendix........

BTW, I agree with ROB on the call.....or you can also have a loose cable on the battery or the starter motor. Good luck

Actually the Bendix is the part that engages into the ring gear. Yes there is a company,(Bendix), that makes the starter engagement device. The starter solenoid is the electrical device,( basically a relay), that completes the circuit and on some starters it also throws the bendix forward engaging it with the ring gear.