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Electronic Gremlins?
- Thread starter 217don
- Start date
alancoles
Dress for fall & avoid it
As Omega man says it sounds like a possible electrical issue that is caused by a few possibilities. First, as suggested, check for a weakening battery (easily at ~5 years old), the 2nd thing to check if you identify the battery is in good condition, is your grounds between the problem and the battery, working from the battery out.
No. Original battery failed after about two and a half years so this battery was replaced in spring 2019. That battery and this one are aways kept on a BMW charger.
I would try to parallel up another battery and watch for a change. The trickle charger isn’t made for a “jump” start attempt.
OM
rangerreece
RangerReece
I have a 2016 RT this is not normal. As the thread evolution suggests, your battery may be weak causing it to reset to default between rides. I do know that the bike can not be charged through the charging sockets and canbus. It will destroy one of your cells in the battery. Went through 4 batteries in the first year before a tech made the “right” suggestion.
alegerlotz
Member
Not normal in my experience. Has it done this consistently, or is it a new issue?
I would check the voltage on the battery. This means taking the battery off the charger for a few hours and then checking it. You can also check to see how low the voltage goes when you engage the starter. If it drops too low, your settings will reset.
I would check the voltage on the battery. This means taking the battery off the charger for a few hours and then checking it. You can also check to see how low the voltage goes when you engage the starter. If it drops too low, your settings will reset.
I don't quite understand. What was the right suggestion the tech made?
It's a relatively new issue. First popped up last fall when we took a 500 mile trip along the Mississippi River. We stoped at a scenic overlook and when I restarted the bike it defaulted back to the RT logo. I reset it and everything seemed OK. I live in the midwest so not much riding in the winter months. Popped up again when I took the bike out for the first time this month.
The BMW charger reads full charge (100%) on its little screen.
alancoles
Dress for fall & avoid it
Unfortunately, that rarely (even with a high-quality charger) tells you the true story.
I've had several battery chargers show several batteries to be fine that were not. A relatively inexpensive battery tester like the $50 Topdon Artibattery 101 will give you a proper reading of your battery's health and can check your charging system some as well.
While a battery can go bad within 2-years (it can go bad in one day), that is a definite failure of either the battery or the bike. I've had sparkplugs go bad, even had some come out of the box bad, but that is a fail and absolutely not normal.
Dealer says it is the battery but I am wondering about this. The bike was delivered in November 2016. After checking my records, I had a battery replaced under warranty in 9/17 so this one is 3 years 7 months old. It is always on a trickle charger so this seems like a little too frequent replacement. Dealer checked out the charging system and they say it is OK. I hope we can put some miles on this year .... only managed two 500 mile trips last year during lulls in the pandammit.
alegerlotz
Member
If you get 3 years out of the oem bmw battery you're doing well. This one is over 3 years. The trickle charger doesn't keep it from having internal issues or being lousy to begin with.
As others speculated before the dealer confirmed it - You need a battery.
rangerreece
RangerReece
With the wet heads one cannot charge the battery through the OEM trickle charger, the CANBUS does not properly let it go into trickle mode and it will “burn” a battery cell. I went through 4 batteries in the first year until my tech said to get it off the the charger. Since then, I’ve been on the same battery; about 4 years now.
If your going to charge a wet head battery pull the battery cover and go directly to the posts on the right side.
If your going to charge a wet head battery pull the battery cover and go directly to the posts on the right side.
