Replacing Starter

[apopj]

Hello all,
My '04 RT has recently been giving me fits. When I hit the starter button, the starter will turn very slowly, pulling enough current that the clock shuts down and goes to zero time. I let off, hit it again, and it spins like crazy. Bike startes and all is fine. Had a new battery put in, still does it. Also, it sounds like the starter might still crank after I let off the switch. It sounds likethe solenoid doesn't fully release.
Anyhow, thought about buying a used starter from a dealer on EBAY and changing it myself. Now the question..... how hard is this to do? Anyone done it? Is it doable? My bike went out of warrantly on the 15th of last month so don't know if BMW will handle it. Got 15K on the bike. Used starter is $150 not sure what a new one is. So, should I or shouldn't I change it out.... Thanks, Jeff

[PETDOC]

Jeff,
My '04 GS does exactly the same thing. Initially I thought it was my battery and replaced a perfectly good 3 year old Gel with a Panasonic. After putting in the new battery I was right in the middle of a 500 mile ride when I pulled up for gas and experienced the same failure. I have a voltmeter so I could watch the voltage tank. Got it going and hasn't happened again, but I know it will. I am planning on rebuilding my starter. I've pulled several on cars, but never my bike. My guess is, like a car, it's no big deal. I feel somewhat stupid for thinking it was my battery because the intermittent failures were followed by weeks or months of no problem and when bike would not start it was often in the middle of a ride when the battery would have been fully charged. Live and learn.

[BubbaZanetti]

if you find it is your starter, removing it and replacing it is very easy, there is a place in texas that sells the rebuilt valeo unit at a much more reasonable price than new from the dealer. (they also sell new ones at a much better price) unfortunately, i cant' recall the name right now.

[AntonLargiader]

You can get new Valeos for less than $200. That used one isn't such a great deal.

[riderR1150GSAdv]

Must be going around like the flu....A friend of mine just had his starter replaced on his 04 Adv under warranty. We too replaced a good battery with a new (better) one before the correct diagnoses was made. Oh well, live and learn I guess.

[PGlaves]

Removing the starter is pretty simple. Take off the plastic on the left side. Disconnect the battery ground wire. Pull the little wire off the solenoid connector. Take a 13mm wrench and remove the nut holding the large +12v wire(from the battery) to the starter solenoid. Remove the two allen head capscrews holding the starter to the engine. Slide the starter rearward and out.

Installation of the new one is the reverse of this procedure.

[PETDOC]

Just did mine for the first time. It took about an hour, but I could probably half that next time. One thing you might not have prior to doing job is a plastic tie that will go around the barrel of the starter. The wires which course behind the starter are held on with this--not sure that it is essential though. Hardest part was getting the lower bolt out and back in as it is partially hidden between starter and engine.
If you need them the torq specs are
1) 2 bolts to engine 20 Nm
2) nut holding on battery lead 10 Nm
3) torx head bolt holding cover over starter assembly 7 Nm