[Guest]

I couple of months ago the computer on my bike lost the memory of my keys which cause the bike to not start. At the time I did not know how to tell if that was the problem starting the bike, so in my efforts, the battery was run down next to nothing. The computer problem is now resolved but of the last couple of weeks I have notice that the battery doesn't crank the bike over with the same force as before. I went on a 3 week vacation so the bike sat, when I got back the bike wouldn't start (low batt). Jumped it and ran the bike to charge batt. In the beginning of this week the bike started and ran fine. Today I try to start bike and it cranks but no start. After cranking the bike for a couple of minutes I notice the batt getting low in power. The dealer has been great with all of the other problems I have had with this bike but I am tired of dealing with this problematic bike.

Questions:
1. Could this be a bad batt
2. Bad alternator
3. Can I remove the battery to either charge it or replace it without the computer losing the memory of my keys?

I appreciate any feed back and/or suggestions.

 

[Tarik]

Have the battery checked-it may be faulty. That will also determine if your alternator is ok. If it's a good battery, your alternator is doing it's job.
I doubt the immobilizer has anything to do with these problems. But then again, I'm currently having gauge pod/console electrics problems...
Good luck.
T.

 

[TDaddy]

my bike sat all winter last year. when it came time to fire it up, i had to run my bike for several 2+ hour trips over 2 weeks for the battery to get juiced 100%. just take the bike out a lot and get a battery tender. that should help

 

[Speeddog]

It's probably a bad battery.

If it's a GS or Fiamm, it's ALMOST CERTAINLY a bad battery, for a different reason. Chances are very high with the GS or Fiamm that it will start to leak acid. Extent of the damage depends on how early you catch it...........

If you are going to replace it, get a Yuasa, same model# as in my sig.

I've had my battery out several times, and had no key problems. I've got an '02, but that shouldn't be any different from your '01 in that respect.

 

[Guest]

Well I got home today and tried to start it and nothing. I cranked it a couple of times and battery ran out. I hooked up my battery charger with start feature (jump start) and it fired right up. The battery had a full charge two days ago??? Can a battery lose it's charge that fast. If I can take out the battery myself and replace it without immobilizer screwing me over I will.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Speeddog]

Doh, yeah.........

Check for something shorted in the wiring that's putting a constant draw on the battery when it's sitting.

 

[Griffy]

Absolutely a battery can go bad that fast. Lead-acid batteries (aside from marine batteries) are not designed to be deep cycled--i.e., to be fully discharged and then recharged. Even one full discharge can kill a battery's capacity to store a charge. My guess is that you deep-drained your battery with your initial attempts to start your bike, making it unlikely it'll hold a charge fer sh!t now. Prolly have to get a new one, sooner rather than later. And like the man said, get a Yuasa.

--Griff

 

[Guest]

Sounds like a plan. Without being a pain in the ass asking all these questions does anyone know the model number of Yuasa battery I need for a 2001 M S4.

Once again thanks for all the help.

 

[MonstaS4]

Try the new battery first. It is a Yuasa YT12B-BS

IF that doesn't work, you ended up with a better battery and that part of the root cause is out of the picture.