Engine stalled in rain.

[rich1kim]

Anyone got an explanation for the engine to stop when riding in the rain?
I was riding in heavy rain for about 4 hours. No gas refills at any station.
After the bike dried up over 3 days, the bike started again and has had no trouble since then.
Anyone got a clue?

Rich

[iowabeakster]

The bike decided that you must get a cup of hot coffee or tea after 4 hours of rain riding. Those German engineers thought of everything.

or...

Somewhere the ignition system was short-circuited by water. The plugs weren't getting the electrons, and it stalled. Once it dried out, back to normal.

[CycleRob]

Agree. The cooling air tunnels that shoot the breeze past the sparkplug tunnels also carry water straight thru. Shine a bright light on the intake side and look thru the passageway at the exhaust port. Heavy rain would/could put a stream from the front wheel in there that eventually could compromise the insulation and short the power to ground. That likely weakened the spark to the other plug and the engine shuts off.

Besides that designed in weakness, I cannot see anywhere else where water could disable the engine, except maybe the TPS pot on the left TB.

.

[Sunbeemer]

There have been reports of Hall Effect Sensor wiring shorting out while riding in rain due to wire insulation failure inside the sheathing that passes under the retaining clamp just above the lower alternator belt pully. Apparently the PVC wire insulation deteriorates due to engine heat. Sometimes this is accompanied by a wildly fluctuating tachometer...

[Arbee]

Agree with Sunbeemer
HES wiring chaffed

[rich1kim]

Now that you mention it, the tach was erradic prior to the engine stopping.

Thanks guys,

Rich

[mick Hoff]

"Hall Effect Sensor wiring shorting out due to wire insulation failure inside the sheathing"
Not to hi-jack the thread-but is there any preventive maintance on the HES to prevent this from happening?
Can those wires be wrapped with extra insulation or anything along those lines...

[Arbee]

I am sure a letter to BMW telling them of their shortcomings and request they change
their manufacturing process to add a sleeve over the wiring, that they would be happy
to oblige...