Won't start in Neutral?
Won't start in Neutral?
This is on my 2010 FLHTCU 27K miles...
I always park my bike in gear so it won't roll, and start in neutral because that's the way I was taught to start anything when I took Driver's Ed back in 1977. But I digress....
The other day, I was putting uphill in a hard left turn. I stalled the bike, so I pulled in the clutch an hit the starter button. Got nothing. That got me thinking, "this thing USED to start in gear" and I remembered a recent thread here on the topic. So, this AM just for kicks, I tried to start it in first. Sure enough, when the thing is in gear, the starter motor does not fire.
Question to the wisdom of the forum: what to look for and how to fix?
I consider this a safety issue as while I normally start in neutral, there are times (like the above) when the situation calls for the need to start the motor without getting into neutral first.
Thanks all!
I always park my bike in gear so it won't roll, and start in neutral because that's the way I was taught to start anything when I took Driver's Ed back in 1977. But I digress....
The other day, I was putting uphill in a hard left turn. I stalled the bike, so I pulled in the clutch an hit the starter button. Got nothing. That got me thinking, "this thing USED to start in gear" and I remembered a recent thread here on the topic. So, this AM just for kicks, I tried to start it in first. Sure enough, when the thing is in gear, the starter motor does not fire.
Question to the wisdom of the forum: what to look for and how to fix?
I consider this a safety issue as while I normally start in neutral, there are times (like the above) when the situation calls for the need to start the motor without getting into neutral first.
Thanks all!
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: KCMO
I have a 2011 and I almost always start it in neutral - however, today I was in rush trying to get out of the way for someone so I started it in gear. So I know that the 2011's will start in gear.
I think the 2010's probably do too - my guess is your clutch safety switch isn't working. It should work like this (my last bike, a crotch rocket, worked like this):
1) Bike is in neutral. Clutch safety switch is ignored and bike starts.
OR
2) Bike is in gear. Clutch safety switch is checked, and bike won't start until the clutch is pulled in.
So if your clutch switch isn't working right, then that could cause the issue you're experiencing. I'm too lazy to go get my service manual and check the wiring diagrams, but I would suggest starting there and seeing if you do indeed have a clutch safety switch.
If you do, it's an easy test to just jump that switch with a wire and see if the bike starts. If it does, then you know it's the switch.
I think the 2010's probably do too - my guess is your clutch safety switch isn't working. It should work like this (my last bike, a crotch rocket, worked like this):
1) Bike is in neutral. Clutch safety switch is ignored and bike starts.
OR
2) Bike is in gear. Clutch safety switch is checked, and bike won't start until the clutch is pulled in.
So if your clutch switch isn't working right, then that could cause the issue you're experiencing. I'm too lazy to go get my service manual and check the wiring diagrams, but I would suggest starting there and seeing if you do indeed have a clutch safety switch.
If you do, it's an easy test to just jump that switch with a wire and see if the bike starts. If it does, then you know it's the switch.
I have a 2011 and I almost always start it in neutral - however, today I was in rush trying to get out of the way for someone so I started it in gear. So I know that the 2011's will start in gear.
I think the 2010's probably do too - my guess is your clutch safety switch isn't working. It should work like this (my last bike, a crotch rocket, worked like this):
1) Bike is in neutral. Clutch safety switch is ignored and bike starts.
OR
2) Bike is in gear. Clutch safety switch is checked, and bike won't start until the clutch is pulled in.
So if your clutch switch isn't working right, then that could cause the issue you're experiencing. I'm too lazy to go get my service manual and check the wiring diagrams, but I would suggest starting there and seeing if you do indeed have a clutch safety switch.
If you do, it's an easy test to just jump that switch with a wire and see if the bike starts. If it does, then you know it's the switch.
I think the 2010's probably do too - my guess is your clutch safety switch isn't working. It should work like this (my last bike, a crotch rocket, worked like this):
1) Bike is in neutral. Clutch safety switch is ignored and bike starts.
OR
2) Bike is in gear. Clutch safety switch is checked, and bike won't start until the clutch is pulled in.
So if your clutch switch isn't working right, then that could cause the issue you're experiencing. I'm too lazy to go get my service manual and check the wiring diagrams, but I would suggest starting there and seeing if you do indeed have a clutch safety switch.
If you do, it's an easy test to just jump that switch with a wire and see if the bike starts. If it does, then you know it's the switch.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Kawartha lakes, Ontario, Canada
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 915
Likes: 2
From: nw alabama
a friend had this problem... his levers(stock) didnt have the tit to push the switch in... he ended up getting new levers that had the tit
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Thanks guys
So, yea - my 2010 does have a clutch switch, little rubber covered dude that is held "in" when the clutch lever is released and pops "out" when the lever is pulled.
I have the electrical manual, and they give a real clear diagram of pins 7 & 12 (Blk/R and Blk) coming out of the harness that comes down the handlebar. Put my mutimeter in continuity mode and get an open with the lever pulled or released. It would seem that the switch has indeed failed. P/N 71620-08.
I'll be calling the dealer for a replacement part in the AM.
Appreciate the insight! This is why the forum rocks.
So, yea - my 2010 does have a clutch switch, little rubber covered dude that is held "in" when the clutch lever is released and pops "out" when the lever is pulled.
I have the electrical manual, and they give a real clear diagram of pins 7 & 12 (Blk/R and Blk) coming out of the harness that comes down the handlebar. Put my mutimeter in continuity mode and get an open with the lever pulled or released. It would seem that the switch has indeed failed. P/N 71620-08.
I'll be calling the dealer for a replacement part in the AM.
Appreciate the insight! This is why the forum rocks.
