Won't start in gear

16709 Views 37 Replies 21 Participants Last post by David.R, May 14, 2022

Champy

Discussion Starter · Apr 22, 2013

Here are the basics: 2012 900 Custom. Problem is it will now only start when in neutral....

> Starts normal when in neutral
> Will not start when in gear pulling clutch in (it use to)
> When running; in gear; clutch in - dropping the kickstand kills the engine. seems normal
> Kill switch works like it should

Any suggestions? Clutch switch; Kickstand switch; Neutral switch? How do I check and eliminate possible causes? Since its under warranty should I just let the dealer fix it?

Thanks

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 38 Posts

shacrawhi34

· #2 · Apr 22, 2013

sounds to me like the sensor on the clutch is malfuctioning. might want to check the plug, it might have come loose or been slightly pulled out.

Reactions: 1

SWVA_08V2k

· #3 · Apr 22, 2013 (Edited)

Yeah it sounds like your safety switch on your clutch. You can test the switch by taking the wires and opening and closing the circuit and see if you bike functions as normal. I do not know if you need an open condition or a closed one when the clutch is pulled. Also you can take your multi-meter and check the resistance as you work the clutch back and forth to see if it will open and close the circuit.

I would check to see if it is just a loose wire or dirty switch, but if its more than that let the dealer deal with it. It's under warranty.

EDIT: Take a good contact cleaner and spray the switch and work it back and forth some. I use CRC 2-26. It is plastic safe also. It also works good on automatic/pump shotguns if they are on a tight tolerance until they get good and broken in. It dries smooth and is not tacky.

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ErnieC

· #4 · Apr 22, 2013

make sure the kickstand is up when trying to start in gear

SWVA_08V2k

· #5 · Apr 22, 2013

ErnieC said:
make sure the kickstand is up when trying to start in gear

Yes, lets check that too. Been there done that and had the premature panic situation over such things as that and kill switches. Never hurts to double check.

Daboo311

· #6 · Apr 22, 2013

Won't start in gear

Y'all don't jump now... what is the big deal with needing to start in gear if it starts fine while in neutral?

SWVA_08V2k

· #7 · Apr 22, 2013 (Edited)

Daboo311 said:
Y'all don't jump now... what is the big deal with needing to start in gear if it starts fine while in neutral?

While robbing a bank, and you need to make a quick get away. I don't want to have to find neutral before I can make a run for it.

No for real. If you kill one at a red light and need to start and get out of the way with out holding up traffic. I am sure there are some other times it would be nice to be able too, just can't think of any right off hand.

sfair

· #8 · Apr 22, 2013

You pull out from a stop sign and stall.
Cement truck coming at you from the left side.
You will not believe how hard neutral would be to find in a situation like that!!!

Reactions: 3

Champy

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 22, 2013

Thanks for the comments......
> Yes - kickstand is up when trying to start
> The reason this is an issue (other than if stalled) is that something changed and now it doesn't work "right"...or as it used to.

Sorry for the stupid question since I don't have a service manual... but where is the clutch safety switch located? At the handlebar clutch lever or the tranmission/engine?

SWVA_08V2k

· #10 · Apr 22, 2013

It is on your clutch lever. If you look at the base of your clutch lever you will see 2 wires. That's the switch.

Reactions: 1

shacrawhi34

· #11 · Apr 22, 2013

Champy said:
....Sorry for the stupid question since I don't have a service manual... but where is the clutch safety switch located? At the handlebar clutch lever or the tranmission/engine?

when looking at the clutch lever from the front, its on the bottom. bend down and look under the clutch body and you'll see it. make sure the plug is snapped in place before you do anything else.

Reactions: 1

Daboo311

· #12 · Apr 22, 2013

is that something changed and now it doesn't work "right"...or as it used to.

I have a 98 jag... just wait a little while and it may fix itself. This don't work in real life though especially with women. We live we learn!

Champy

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 23, 2013

Boy do i feel even more stupid than ever before. Connector under the clutch lever had popped out of the socket. Not sure how I did that but it was the cheapest and easiest fix I've ever done on a bike. Thanks for the input...and I'm really glad I didn't take it to the dealer....oh the thought that if I had asked them to fix this is so embarrassing.

Reactions: 1

Romans5.8

· #14 · Apr 23, 2013

sfair said:
You pull out from a stop sign and stall.
Cement truck coming at you from the left side.
You will not believe how hard neutral would be to find in a situation like that!!!

Bingo. Not to mention, I want my equipment to work exactly as it should! Failing to start in a condition it is supposed to start in could be the entirety of the issue, or simply a symptom of another, broader issue.

Not to mention, it can be embarassing. Rode a friends Yamaha chopper he built, and it was cold out. This is a carbed bike, died while sitting at a red light. Sat at green for maybe 15 seconds trying to find neutral with a minivan honking behind me because I couldn't get this stupid thing started! Evidently, this bike had a similar issue!

sfair

· #15 · Apr 23, 2013

Neutral would spot that truck coming and it would run away and hide in the ditch never to be found by the rider!!!

Reactions: 2

Sojourner

· #16 · Apr 23, 2013

Champy said:
Boy do i feel even more stupid than ever before. Connector under the clutch lever had popped out of the socket. Not sure how I did that but it was the cheapest and easiest fix I've ever done on a bike. Thanks for the input...and I'm really glad I didn't take it to the dealer....oh the thought that if I had asked them to fix this is so embarrassing.

It usually happens when you are washing the bike so don't feel alone. Glad you got it sorted.

shacrawhi34

· #17 · Apr 23, 2013

Champy said:
Boy do i feel even more stupid than ever before. Connector under the clutch lever had popped out of the socket. Not sure how I did that but it was the cheapest and easiest fix I've ever done on a bike. Thanks for the input...and I'm really glad I didn't take it to the dealer....oh the thought that if I had asked them to fix this is so embarrassing.

you didnt ask a stupid question. the only stupid questions are the ones that never get asked. if you ask, we will try to help. thats what this forum is for after all. ride safe.

Reactions: 2

ErnieC

· #18 · Apr 23, 2013

shacrawhi34 said:
you didnt ask a stupid question. the only stupid questions are the ones that never get asked. if you ask, we will try to help. thats what this forum is for after all. ride safe.

+1 on that!!

Boyaco

· #19 · May 9, 2014

Well, happened to me now, kickstand is up and she does not do anything, check the connector under the clutch level and it was properly connected, unplugged and put is back just in case but nothing, what else can I check? I picked up the bike from the dealer last Saturday after they performed the 15K maintenance but not until yesterday I needed to start the bike on gear because it stalled at a traffic light.

Sojourner

· #20 · May 10, 2014

Boyaco said:
Well, happened to me now, kickstand is up and she does not do anything, check the connector under the clutch level and it was properly connected, unplugged and put is back just in case but nothing, what else can I check? I picked up the bike from the dealer last Saturday after they performed the 15K maintenance but not until yesterday I needed to start the bike on gear because it stalled at a traffic light.

First, unplug the two wires at the switch by the clutch lever and jumper them together. Try starting the bike in gear. If that doesn't work then pull the tank and check the plug connectors that are mounted to the frame's backbone. They have come loose in the past on other member's bikes.

Reactions: 1

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