Question for a 2013 C 650 GT owner

[Delray]

With the key on, and the engine not running, is the Check Engine light normally on?

I'm looking at a pristine 2013 and one of the photos from the ad shows the Check Engine symbol lit, south of the fuel gauge. Seller says that's normal with the key on and the engine not running. But if that's the case, why aren't other lights displayed? Maybe they're on but not visible because of the angle of the photo.

I might be interested in this bike if the Check Engine symbol is normal with key on/engine not running. If not, I would run screaming in the other direction from this bike.

 

[Delray]

Update: disregard question. Don't need an answer.

The bike is on eBay. Price started at $3,200 so I was thinking if there was no sale, maybe I'd buy it for $3,000, or even $2,800. That would be a steal.

But bidding is now up to $3,750, plus I'd pay for airfare and one hotel night on the ride back, maybe two. Not a steal anymore.

FYI here's the link. It's a pretty bike. I love the red:

2013 BMW C650GT | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2013 BMW C650GT at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[davepen]

Even the Buy it Now price of $4400 is a steal. I bought my 2013 a year ago with 4500 miles and paid a lot more than that.

 

[Delray]

I bought my 2013 a year ago

Ah, a perfect person to answer my original question: with the key on, and the engine off, is it normal for the Check Engine symbol to be lit up?

 

[davepen]

Ah, a perfect person to answer my original question: with the key on, and the engine off, is it normal for the Check Engine symbol to be lit up?

I don't think it is. When I power my scooter on, all the lights come on briefly, then only the flashing ABS light remains on. That goes away when you start moving.

I would ask the seller to send a short video of power up and see what it does.

 

[Delray]

That's a helpful answer, thanks.

Confirms what I was thinking. A lot of lights come on when you turn the key. The speedo needle immediately whirls around to 120 and back and the lights go off -- except for the ABS, as you said, and traction control on later models.

As visible in the photo in my original post, the speedo needle has already cycled to 120 and back and the Check Engine symbol remains lit. That and the rising bid price of the bike are sufficient to cancel any interest I had.

Not cool if the seller is listing this bike with a Check Engine light on. Especially with eBay when you buy upfront and see the bike later. That code bespeaks serious potential problems. I sent an email to ask the seller about it and got back a gruff one-liner, "Probably because the key is on and the engine isn't running."

"Probably?" Excuse me? I'm expected to send this guy several thousand bucks and he can't bother to verify a Check Engine light blazing?

As with any purchase, Caveat Emptor, let the buyer beware.

 

[davepen]

You're welcome. I guess that might explain the bargain Buy it Now price.

It might be nothing, it might be major. I agree with you: I would not be adventurous enough to find out. It is a nice-looking bike, though.

It still might be fun to ask him for a video of the power up.

 

[RollaCosta]

SERVICE is on, too - meaning it has not been done at required time/mileage. Do not buy without riding a test.

 

[davepen]

I hadn't noticed that until I enlarged the picture. I also checked the OM, and the check engine light is illuminated when the engine is in "emergency operating mode." That can't be good.

I asked the seller via ebay messaging to post or provide a video of the instrument cluster during power on. He said he would do that "tomorrow." That was last week (and there is no video).

I think this one is best avoided.