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Won’t start in gear?

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Old May 16, 2021 | 10:16 PM
  #1  
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Unhappy Won’t start in gear?

2018 Ultra Limited
5700 miles

I had stopped for a passing freight train yesterday and once it cleared and the line of cars in front of me began to move along, I did the same. Then BAM.....I get hit pretty hard from behind....I couldn’t believe it. Thankfully I had just started to move which probably prevented this from being a much worse situation.

I pulled over and inspected my bike and much to my surprise, other than a scuff mark on the tour pack, everything was fine. Not so for the car that hit me....big crack in the front nose piece above the bumper. So after a pretty good visual inspection and no damage to the bike that I could see, I told the other driver “we’re good and please drive safely in the future” with a big scowl on my face. (she claimed there was a spider in the car that she was trying to get away from.....IMO more likely cell phone distraction) And then we parted ways.

Now my bike won’t start if it’s in gear. I’ve done some searching and it seems like this issue is also associated with the cruise control not working. Took the bike out today and the cruise works fine. Any ideas what may be causing this, and the fix? Right now I’m thinking new left switch pak but I don’t wanna just assume this is the problem. Have not checked for codes yet either.

Seems mighty coincidental that this problem shows up after being banged into so I thought I’d ask y’all.
Thanks
 
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Old May 16, 2021 | 10:33 PM
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From experience, nothing's ever okay after getting hit. Always take pictures, get their information, and never admit any guilt or say sorry. In this case it wasn't your fault, just sayin. The law says anyone hitting you from behind is at fault. But now it's on you. Could have been worse. And you're prolly right about the cell phone.
 
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Old May 16, 2021 | 10:46 PM
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Originally Posted by brakeless
From experience, nothing's ever okay after getting hit. Always take pictures, get their information, and never admit any guilt or say sorry. In this case it wasn't your fault, just sayin. The law says anyone hitting you from behind is at fault. But now it's on you. Could have been worse. And you're prolly right about the cell phone.
Yep.... should’ve done that but too late now. Thanks.

 
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Old May 16, 2021 | 10:50 PM
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Find the neutral switch and check the two wires that should be connected
 
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Old May 17, 2021 | 12:12 AM
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Also check the clutch lever is still fully engaging the little press switch in behind. If this got moved in the hit and isn’t engaging right the bike doesn’t ‘know’ the clutch is pulled in and won’t start. Had this happen to me when I bumped the controls.
 
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Old May 17, 2021 | 04:51 AM
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I know you just got smacked, but those switches seem to fail all the time reguardless
 
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Old May 17, 2021 | 05:18 AM
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If the bike starts in neutral then that would eliminate the neutral switch.

It points to the clutch switch but unfortunately on a CAN bus bike it is not a switch per se but a device that sends a command to the BCM to be interpreted.

Do all the other switches on the right hand side work? Do you have any error codes?
 
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Old May 17, 2021 | 05:24 AM
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Clutch switch pak has a mini circuit board that goes out occasionally without being hit. I would check there first
 
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Old May 17, 2021 | 05:36 AM
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I'm guessing she was a cutie? Lol
 
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Old May 17, 2021 | 07:40 PM
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If the neutral safety switch is bad the bike will only start in neutral and not in gear. My 18 street glide did this on my way to Daytona this year. Still haven't swapped it out, bike won't start in gear but does in neutral. My cruise also works. Dealer told me this issue is very common.
 
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