Starting in Gear

[Boondocker]

It has recently come to my attention that I cannot start the bike in gear - clutch in, kick stand up. I don't stall much, so this isn't something I do often, but I'm thinking that I should be able to start in gear. If I'm wrong about that, never mind. Otherwise, please help me to troubleshoot.

I suspect the clutch interlock switch/connector and need to jump it as my next troubleshooting step. I cleaned and lubed the slider pin that the clutch lever engages , put dielectric grease on the connector pins, and verified in the service manual that the correct wires are in the connector (though I doubt the order matters given the simple open/close nature of this circuit).

At one time, I used a mini fuse for the famous/infamous Clutch Jumper Switch mod, even went so far as to rig a nice ON/OFF switch for that mod. After getting my ECU flashed, I removed that setup and returned the switch plug to stock.

I'll post back after diagnosing with a jumped connector. Otherwise, I suspect a loose connector or faulty switch. Any other places to check if this doesn't work?
I know there is a Neutral Indicator somewhere. My Neutral light and kick stand switch work (will stall the engine if put in gear with stand down).

Thanks,
Neil

 

[djm_ct]

The clutch switch prevents you from starting in gear.
If you do use the "infamous" CJM mod you will be able to start in gear.

 

[Koinz]

It has recently come to my attention that I cannot start the bike in gear - clutch in, kick stand up. I don't stall much, so this isn't something I do often, but I'm thinking that I should be able to start in gear. If I'm wrong about that, never mind. Otherwise, please help me to troubleshoot.

I suspect the clutch interlock switch/connector and need to jump it as my next troubleshooting step. I cleaned and lubed the slider pin that the clutch lever engages , put dielectric grease on the connector pins, and verified in the service manual that the correct wires are in the connector (though I doubt the order matters given the simple open/close nature of this circuit).

At one time, I used a mini fuse for the famous/infamous Clutch Jumper Switch mod, even went so far as to rig a nice ON/OFF switch for that mod. After getting my ECU flashed, I removed that setup and returned the switch plug to stock.

I'll post back after diagnosing with a jumped connector. Otherwise, I suspect a loose connector or faulty switch. Any other places to check if this doesn't work?
I know there is a Neutral Indicator somewhere. My Neutral light and kick stand switch work (will stall the engine if put in gear with stand down).
Thanks,
Neil

Pretty sure I can re-start after a stall in gear with the stand up. I wonder if the gear shifter switch is malfunctioning.

 

[mrpincher]

I tried the clutch mod when it was first discovered, then removed it after a short trial. Noticed some time later my '12 tenere wouldn't start in gear with clutch in and kick stand up. Then again without notice, maybe a year later, one day she started in gear with stand up and clutch in. It seems to take more cranking power to start in gear so I don't do it often. But now I can if I want to.

Just sayin' for what its worth

Mike

 

[Boondocker]

I still have my old CJM switch, so I put it inline. With the switch in yhe ON position, circuit closed, the bike will start in gear. This effectively bypasses the clutch switch plunger that pulling the clutch lever depresses to close that circuit. Could be the switch is dirty or broken or the plug is out of spec, having been subjected to fuses and other connectors.

 

[squarebore]

This is really funny as sometimes I can start in gear and other times not. The time I normally try to do this is when parked in gear on a hill. Side stand up and clutch in and it should start. Most of the time it does but every now and then, no start. I then put it in neutral and away it goes. I was on a multi day group ride when this was last occurring and made for interesting discussion.

 

[Boondocker]

I think my problem was intermittent at first, which makes it hard to recognize.
The latest is - I sprayed the switch with brake cleaner (contact cleaner is recommended but I used what I had). Gunk came out - good that it came out, bad that it was in there.

This morning, I plug it back together, low and behold, starts in gear (clutch lever pulled, side stand up). So maybe the culprit was as simple as dirty switch contacts. I won't consider the case closed until I can do a few more consecutive in-gear starts.

As an aside, I would expect that any "benefit" of clutch-switched fueling changes must have been absent while my switch was failed. Can't say that I noticed.

 

[Salmon Sam]

Boondocker - I have had the same experience. Also used to have a CJM and now have the reflash. Was on a backcountry road a couple of weeks ago and had to put it in neutral to start. It all of a sudden started working again (could start in gear) at the end. Figured it was a dirty kickstand switch and needed to clean it. Haven't done that yet.

My horn isn't working, though. Just a faint beep. Has that happened to anyone?

 

[scott123007]

There is a 99.999% chance that it is your clutch switch causing the problem. The other .001% would be something that I haven't heard of yet, because it is not your sidestand switch. If it was, after starting it in neutral, as soon as you put your bike in gear even with the sidestand up, it would cut off, and I haven't heard anyone mention that yet.

 

[scott123007]

As an aside, I would expect that any "benefit" of clutch-switched fueling changes must have been absent while my switch was failed. Can't say that I noticed.

Boondocker,

When your clutch switch fails, it does not recognize that the clutch is pulled in and that is why it won't start in gear with the sidestand up. The "benefit" of clutch-switched changes remains intact even with a bad clutch switch, because they are in effect when the clutch let out.

 

[arjayes]

My Tenere was delivered from the dealer with the clutch switch disconnected (plug was not plugged in). Of course I didn't know that at the time. Riding it home brand new from the dealer I stalled at an intersection and it would not re-start in gear (stop light had just turned green, 6-8 cars behind me wondering who is this noob). I just assumed this was a quirk of the Tenere, but about a week later I noticed while riding that the clutch switch plug was dangling. It was pretty well hidden behind the all the junk in that area so was not easy to spot. After plugging it in I was able to start in gear with the stand up.

So ... if this is a brand new bike make sure that plug is fully inserted. If it is then I agree with what others have said - likely either a bad clutch switch or a bad kickstand switch.

 

[Boondocker]

I'm going to chock this up to a dirty clutch switch. My last 4-5 in-gear start attempts have succeeded, and the only thing I changed was to spray out the switch.
case closed ::008::

 

[Liteitup]

My Tenere was delivered from the dealer with the clutch switch disconnected (plug was not plugged in). Of course I didn't know that at the time. Riding it home brand new from the dealer I stalled at an intersection and it would not re-start in gear (stop light had just turned green, 6-8 cars behind me wondering who is this noob). I just assumed this was a quirk of the Tenere, but about a week later I noticed while riding that the clutch switch plug was dangling. It was pretty well hidden behind the all the junk in that area so was not easy to spot. After plugging it in I was able to start in gear with the stand up.

So ... if this is a brand new bike make sure that plug is fully inserted. If it is then I agree with what others have said - likely either a bad clutch switch or a bad kickstand switch.

Sorry for the necro-bump, but this is exactly what happened to me. Stall at the busy intersection and all.
Unfortunately, plugging it in made no difference. Neither did jumping the plug. Bike will not start unless it's in neutral. Brand new 2013 leftover just picked up and ridden 1945 miles home, so zero mods. I'll troubleshoot more extensively later this week or weekend, but I'm open to suggestions.

 

[TheHelios]

My '12 will start in gear with the kickstand up. It won't do anything with the kickstand down which is expected. I haven't done the CJM mod. Is this bike not supposed to be able to start in gear and I'm just lucky?

 

[trainman]

I assume on a gen 2 bike if the clutch m/s stops working you will notice the gear indicator not disappearing when cutch pulled, ?? maybe an early indication of problems??

 

[Liteitup]

Tonight it works. Then it doesn't. And doesn't. And doesn't.

Then it does. And does. And does. Seven or eight times

I don't know why, but I do know
::021::