Clutch Safety Switch Problems
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,681
Likes: 11,473
From: State of Confusion
Hi mjwebb. I remember you being against purchasing an ESP. Did you go with the Harley (dealer) offered plan, or another? My '17 RK has been ok up to now, with the only issue being noisy lifters, which were replaced under my 2 year warranty. I did have a problem with my clutch switch, but I oiled the plunger and I haven't had the problem again this summer. I'm on the fence right now about purchasing an ESP, and any advice would be appreciated.
Last edited by mjwebb; Aug 10, 2018 at 05:30 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 266
Likes: 14
From: Illinois
My 17 FLHXS is doing it as well. I tried all the methods stated here, Clutch fully depressed, brake on, etc. No success. The bike has to be in neutral to start... I'm still under warranty so I'll let the dealer fix it.
Stage I
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Lebanon nh
Has anyone had a problem with thier bike not starting in gear? I was riding with some friends when one of them mentioned his bike (17 M8 Limited) just stalled at a stop light. He was able to get it started by using neutral only, it would not start in gear with the clutch pulled in. He took it to the dealer who said it was a switch in the clutch master cylinder. The dealer fixed it and said he has seen quite a few failures. When he told me his bike stalled for no reason I told him mine stalled for no reason recently. I have a 17 Limited also. Being curious after he told me about it I tried to start mine in in gear and it would not start. I guess I need to go talk to the service dept at my local dealer and get it taken care of. I was not aware of this until he told me. Has your bike stalled for no reason? And if so will it start in gear with clutch lever pulled in?
Banned
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 67
I have a 2017 ultra limited low and this summer my bike stalled going in slow traffic. I noticed I had to start the bike in neutral as I had to pull off the road way. I was on a ride recently and another m8 owner told me what the problem was and to goto the dealership because my bike was new. This was pretty dangerous with the bike just for no reason stalled and as quickly tried to restart with clutch held in and it would not start. So quick thinking, I shifted in neutral to get bike started again. I am bringing my bike in to get this problem fixed. Why has Harley Davidson not come out with this problem and the risk it poses to riders.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 788
From: Great State of Texas
Originally Posted by texaswiz
For the same reason as always. It costs more money to initiate a recall than it does to fix the customers bikes that fail.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,996
Likes: 417
From: Cranbourne, VIC Australia
A recall gives you more confidence that a warranty claim does? It doesn't make any difference to me, either way it is getting resolved.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 788
From: Great State of Texas
Originally Posted by skid_pimp
A recall gives you more confidence that a warranty claim does? It doesn't make any difference to me, either way it is getting resolved.
The early model 7.3 Powerstroke Diesel engines Ford used in their Super Duty trucks was actually an International/Navistar power plant. There were issues with the Cam Position Sensor.
It was all over the forums then just like the issue with these clutch switches currently plaguing the MoCo. The said diesel motor had a 100k mile warranty. The CPS in my Ford never failed until 175k miles. Knowing the issue I carried an updated CPS in my glovebox I paid for prior to the recall. Replacing the CPS was a 5 minute fix with a 10mm wrench and stubby flathead screwdriver. By the time mine failed a recall had been issued. Ford reimbursed me for the replacement CPS I had purchased several years earlier. It was the right thing to do. That truck now has 681k miles on the odometer.
The point here is if the manufacturer knows of a widespread issue they should fix the issue via recall whether the bike is in or outside of warranty. The MoCo seems to drag their feet doing so.
