Won’t start in neutral with side stand down 2008 Model

[Glenfruin]

I have a problem need some advice, I tried to start my bike today while it was on the side stand and in neutral the starter was turning over but bike wouldn’t start not a flicker of life.I know these bikes have a side stand safety feature to stop it starting in gear but it was in neutral so I thought I will try it with the stand up and it fired up straight away so I headed down to the petrol station to top it up and when I tried to start it up with the side stand up this time but nothing again so I wiggled the stand while it was cranking and it fired up. does anyone have an idea what it could be ? Can I bypass the switch or something any help is appreciated thanks

 

[RossKean]

In neutral, it should start on the sidestand or with the sidestand raised.
Perhaps you have an issue with the neutral switch?
Note: if the sidestand interlock is not right, the engine won't even crank, let alone start. I can't figure what would let it crank but not start.

What happens in neutral, on the side stand with the clutch lever pulled?

 

[Glenfruin]

I’ve not tried it with clutch lever pulled, I will try that if or when It happens again but I’m sure it’s something to do with the side stand. after it started I went for a 20 mile run then parked up went for a 15 minute walk came back and it started up with the side stand down no problem this time really strange

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

Agree with Ross; bike shouldn't spin the starter if it was the sidestand switch acting up. Any of a billion possibilities now, since it seems intermittent. Start simple....check for loose connections, kill switch, etc.

 

[RossKean]

Agree with Ross; bike shouldn't spin the starter if it was the sidestand switch acting up. Any of a billion possibilities now, since it seems intermittent. Start simple....check for loose connections, kill switch, etc.

Possible that the OP had "Fast starter syndrome" due to flooding and it cleared between attempts. Other than that, I would look for a spark issue - coil, wire, or plug cap although that doesn't tend to resolve itself. Even with one of two coils being bad or a bad wire or cap, I would expect SOME ignition indication. If it was the kill switch, it wouldn't crank at all.

Might be worth checking to see if the ignition switch recall has been done for his 2008...

 

[Glenfruin]

Possible that the OP had "Fast starter syndrome" due to flooding and it cleared between attempts. Other than that, I would look for a spark issue - coil, wire, or plug cap although that doesn't tend to resolve itself. Even with one of two coils being bad or a bad wire or cap, I would expect SOME ignition indication. If it was the kill switch, it wouldn't crank at all.

Might be worth checking to see if the ignition switch recall has been done for his 2008...

Agree with you bet the fact that the twice it didn’t start all it took was a movement of the side stand to get it started? But I am stumped as to why it was cranking if it was a side stand issue it wouldn’t have cranked at all very strange… I wonder if the side stand switch was shorting somehow but allowing it to crank it doesn’t make sense to me either, I was hoping this had happened to someone else on here but it looks life I’m the only one It’s worrying me in case it happens when I’m far from home and get stuck. I think it’s a case of stripping off the side stand etc and see if any thing obvious. I only bought the bike last weekend and I doubt tge previous owner would admit to it happening to him. I have read some posts on here about the starter spinning and not starting due to petrol washing off the cylinder oil and losing compression fingers crossed I can figure it out if anyone can shine a light on this I would appreciate it cheers guys and gals

 

[Glenfruin]

Possible that the OP had "Fast starter syndrome" due to flooding and it cleared between attempts. Other than that, I would look for a spark issue - coil, wire, or plug cap although that doesn't tend to resolve itself. Even with one of two coils being bad or a bad wire or cap, I would expect SOME ignition indication. If it was the kill switch, it wouldn't crank at all.

Might be worth checking to see if the ignition switch recall has been done for his 2008...

Ahh I don’t know if the ignition switch was recalled? I am a new owner so don’t know history of the bike yet it’s only had 3 previous owners in its 15 years how could I tell if it’s been done ? Thanks

 

[Archer]

Yes they can, and you can too via: https://www.yamaha-dealers.com/public/web/techpubs/nhtsaPublications.html

says fellow forum member-Tim - most recently.

 

[Whooshka]

Start by cleaning the side stand switch and then the neutral switch. Don't over think it, doubt it's the fast start thing.

 

[RossKean]

Start by cleaning the side stand switch and then the neutral switch. Don't over think it, doubt it's the fast start thing.

Won't hurt, but neither of those things will allow it to crank but not fire. Do you mean the neutral switch or the clutch switch? Gen II neutral switch is sort of internal - contact surface with six copper "pads" - one for each gear and one for neutral. #10 on this parts fiche. Dirty clutch switch can do some odd stuff with respect to starting in gear with clutch pulled. Won't start but won't crank either. I had to replace the neutral switch early in the life of my '07. Gear indicators worked OK but there was a discontinuity in the neutral connection which couldn't be fixed by cleaning. (Didn't prevent starting.)
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/yamaha/motorcycle/2008/fjr1300a-fjr13axcb/electrical-1
It COULD have been flooded. To the OP, never start the bike unless you expect to bring it up to full operating temperature. Flooding and the "fast starter syndrome" may result.
https://www.fjrforum.com/threads/fjrf011-fast-starter-syndrome.135171/

Ahh I don’t know if the ignition switch was recalled?

You can contact Yamaha direct or through your local dealer and they should be able to tell you if the recalls have been done or not.
Are there any stored fault codes?

Any other odd symptoms? High beam light on when high beam isn't? Both signal light indicators lit (dimly)? Malfunctioning glove box solenoid or windshield mechanism? All symptoms of a possible grounding fault. Can cause issues with starting and running.
TONS of reading
https://www.fjrforum.com/threads/fjrf009-0-ground-spider-research.137181/https://www.fjrforum.com/threads/fjrf009-1-intermittent-ground-wire.138982/https://www.fjrforum.com/threads/fjrf009-2-intermittent-ground-wire-connection.139216/
Many other threads as well but there are always electrical anomalies along with (sometimes) running/starting issues. Grounding faults may come and go but ALWAYS come back eventually. If there are no issues with lights, dash or electromechanical devices then this is unlikely to be the problem. (Always something to watch for, especially in an early Gen II - usually easily fixed once to know where the problem is.)

Edit: The three related Grounding threads and the Fast Starter Syndrome thread used to be present as "Stickies" in the Technical & Mechanical Problems sub-forum. (along with other known issues) They are all still there but no longer as "Stickies" that appear at the top. If you want to look through them, do a search of that forum using FJRF0* as a search term. Search titles only. Used to be easier to find...

 

[Whooshka]

Ah you're right. I meant clutch switch when I said neutral. My bad, sorry for the confusion.

 

[Road_Runner]

Another thought... Is the situation that the bike is heeled over when you try to start it on the sidestand, then it starts when put upright? If so, maybe try leaving the sidestand deployed and put it upright and see if it starts. It may be the lean of the bike and a loose connection, and nothing to do with the sidestand.

 

[waynevb]

Also check the kill switch. I never use mine but I dropped the bike in a shallow river trying to cross a ford. I managed to get it upright and the starter wouldn't operate. It was still in gear! Second attempt was with the clutch pulled in. No joy! I then noticed that I had flicked the kill switch as I dropped the bike.

I started the bike in 1st gear and walked it out slipping the clutch. Embarassing

 

[road runner]

It sounds like dirty contacts inside the ignition switch. I had this happen. The bike will crank but not start. When this happens check for a fault code 19 to be displayed on gage. I think you will see it while cranking and no start. Once it starts code goes away. You should check the fault code history, write them down, then clear the history. If you cycle the key off, on a few times then it may start. The contacts inside the switch are dirty, and you can take the switch apart, clean, and put some di-electric grease in there then you'll be all set.

It was not the side stand going up and down it was the key being cycled.

 

[RossKean]

Also check the kill switch.

Bike cranked but didn't start. No crank if kill switch is engaged.

 

[RossKean]

It sounds like dirty contacts inside the ignition switch. I had this happen. The bike will crank but not start. When this happens check for a fault code 19 to be displayed on gage. I think you will see it while cranking and no start. Once it starts code goes away. You should check the fault code history, write them down, then clear the history. If you cycle the key off, on a few times then it may start. The contacts inside the switch are dirty, and you can take the switch apart, clean, and put some di-electric grease in there then you'll be all set.

It was not the side stand going up and down it was the key being cycled.

I agree that the ignition switch is a good possibility and worth checking. Also make sure that the recall was done. Checking fault codes is always one of the first things to do with any failure.

 

[Glenfruin]

Thanks for all this information, I’m thinking it can’t be ignition switch as I had it cranking over and I wiggled the side stand and it started up without touching the key again, it’s a strange situation

 

[Azor50Ron]

Ahh I don’t know if the ignition switch was recalled? I am a new owner so don’t know history of the bike yet it’s only had 3 previous owners in its 15 years how could I tell if it’s been done ? Thanks

Try this site to check recalls...
https://www.yamaha-dealers.com/public/web/techpubs/nhtsaPublications.html

 

[RossKean]

Try this site to check recalls...
https://www.yamaha-dealers.com/public/web/techpubs/nhtsaPublications.html

From the referenced web page. Good for US customers but maybe not UK...
A Yamaha dealer should be able to help.

NOTE: Only U.S. spec street motorcycle VINs are supported on this website for recalls after December 2000.
Please call Yamaha's customer service number to inquire on recalls for other products (1-800-962-7926).

 

[Glenfruin]

Another thought... Is the situation that the bike is heeled over when you try to start it on the sidestand, then it starts when put upright? If so, maybe try leaving the sidestand deployed and put it upright and see if it starts. It may be the lean of the bike and a loose connection, and nothing to do with the sidestand.

Good idea I will try that out thanks