Clutch Safety Switch Problems
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
It's the left-side switch pack that needs replacing.
Since this is a "short term" ongoing problem (ONLY five model-years at this point) ya can't expect the Almighty MoCo to have gotten around to addressing it yet. They're WAY too busy coming out with bunches of new whiz-bang gizmos to bolt onto these bikes and crankin' out good ol' MoCo propaganda promoting them to worry about past googaws that either don't work or don't last.
Give 'em another ten-fifteen years or so and they'll be gettin' right on it. Their "engineers" might even figure out a way to make 'em waterproof, too, while they're at it - but then again, that's expecting a lot!
Since this is a "short term" ongoing problem (ONLY five model-years at this point) ya can't expect the Almighty MoCo to have gotten around to addressing it yet. They're WAY too busy coming out with bunches of new whiz-bang gizmos to bolt onto these bikes and crankin' out good ol' MoCo propaganda promoting them to worry about past googaws that either don't work or don't last.
Give 'em another ten-fifteen years or so and they'll be gettin' right on it. Their "engineers" might even figure out a way to make 'em waterproof, too, while they're at it - but then again, that's expecting a lot!
Last edited by jpooch00; Sep 19, 2017 at 06:51 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 164
Likes: 4
From: USA
???
I think that they left some chicken bones on my bike, it hasn't done it the past few days?????
I did have the parts people show me the lighted ones that can be put on for just $30 more and it does both sides.
I did have the parts people show me the lighted ones that can be put on for just $30 more and it does both sides.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,370
Likes: 116
From: Bumfuk Egypt
I had the "no start in gear" problem on my Breakout until I realized that I'd covered the clutch lever with leather, and it was stopping it from hitting the switch plunger. Removed the leather and it still was iffy, so I glued a thin piece of metal to the edge that contacts the switch plunger, and now it works great. I think the problem most people have is that the switch contacts "relax" a bit and the lever doesn't push enough to make contact.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
I put lighted ones on my '15 Limited - 'cause they look cool (at night)!
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 172
Likes: 13
From: Texas
After reading this thread, I checked my '17 FLHTK out before heading home after work yesterday. I pulled in the clutch and it doesn't start in gear. When I got home I tried again and still no start. I looked at the switch pack and did not see a plunger switch for the clutch to make contact with. The housing is completely sealed on the back side. So is this an option for the bike so it was not installed at the factory or is it an electronic switch that senses when the clutch is engaged so no physical switch is necessary?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
After reading this thread, I checked my '17 FLHTK out before heading home after work yesterday. I pulled in the clutch and it doesn't start in gear. When I got home I tried again and still no start. I looked at the switch pack and did not see a plunger switch for the clutch to make contact with. The housing is completely sealed on the back side. So is this an option for the bike so it was not installed at the factory or is it an electronic switch that senses when the clutch is engaged so no physical switch is necessary?
Does your cruise control still work right and does it disengage when you pull the clutch?
Last edited by jpooch00; Sep 21, 2017 at 07:41 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 172
Likes: 13
From: Texas
Maybe they changed it to some kind of sealed magnetic switch. If the MoCo DID change the design, it sounds like they ended up just pissin' in the wind for all the good it did - as usual.
Does your cruise control still work right and does it disengage when you pull the clutch?
Does your cruise control still work right and does it disengage when you pull the clutch?
Novice
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 4
From: Ardmore Oklahoma
Mine has been acting up since new. Took it to the dealer twice. The first time they blamed it on the fact that I had replaced the bars and charged me an hours labor to solder something. ??? Got it home failed again. Took it in a second time and they said they adjusted it. There is no adjustment I know of. I just keep getting the run around. I'm not sure why they are so reluctant to replace the switch. Closest dealer is a two hour drive. I've just been living with it.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 953
Likes: 127
From: Rome, NY
Here's the Safety Switch embedded in the left Switch Pack (from a '17 FLHXS). On my '13 Breakout the switch was a separate item mounted in the frame for the clutch lever.
Last edited by FurryOne; Sep 21, 2017 at 10:37 PM.