Wouldn't Start Until in Neutral

[nashville_bill]

I was able to ride the FJR for a while today, but the second time I tried to start the bike, it wouldn't start until I put it in neutral. This was true the next three times I tried to start the bike, even though I held the clutch lever in. After I returned to my house it started in gear, with the clutch pulled in. Could this be anything besides a bad clutch lever switch?

 

[slapnpop]

more likely sidestand switch. easier to get dirty.

 

[nashville_bill]

Thanks; that makes sense.

more likely sidestand switch. easier to get dirty.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Did ya have a neutral light bill? My neut switch started acting up giving the same symptoms, 'course after I fixed that, the clutch switch wanted love..

Oh yeah, The neutral switch is a real joy to get to!

:jester:

 

[FJRBluesman]

Thanks; that makes sense.

more likely sidestand switch. easier to get dirty

Gunny +2.

 

[BobOdenweller]

That happened once to me. Later in the day the problem went away. Hasn't happened again, yet.

 

[RadioHowie]

I was able to ride the FJR for a while today, but the second time I tried to start the bike, it wouldn't start until I put it in neutral. This was true the next three times I tried to start the bike, even though I held the clutch lever in. After I returned to my house it started in gear, with the clutch pulled in. Could this be anything besides a bad clutch lever switch?

Pretty much narrows it down to the sidestand switch....unless you were overly negligent and didn't put the sidestand up.

Well...didja??? Wereya???

 

[Fred W]

Actually, I'd bet that it is the clutch switch. If the sidestand switch is bad the engine will die as soon as you put it into gear after starting it in neutral. When the clutch switch goes bad it will inhibit starting if in gear (even with the sidestand up), but after you start it in neutral it will run fine.

I've had a dirty clutch switch twice and never had a problem with my sidestand switch. The clutch switch is out there in the weather and for some strange reason it isn't designed to be weather tight. It can get pretty crusty inside real easily. But it is easy to disassemble, clean up, and reassemble.

My Post from the Past

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I just serviced my gen I side stand switch. Its ALOT easier to get to if you just remove the entire left side foot peg assembly (bike on centerstand) as there's not much room between the muffler/switch.

It'll be bolted to that with loctite (needed a vise grip for one phillips head screw).

Once out, very simple to clean up. Two springs and neither will fly out...

I didn't un-plug the wire, just serviced it on a short stand next to the bike. After cleaning the contacts, I used lots of di-lectric grease. Also replaced the phillips head screws (main mounting machine screws) with 2 SS allan key head bolts.

Mine was clean but got serviced anyway.

 

[dbvolfan]

Mine did that for a while...cleaned the sidestand switch and never had the issue again.

I did however run into an issue soon afterwards where the bike would not start/turn when in gear with the clutch pulled in. I had to shift into N to get it to start. It lasted about 3 weeks off an on and havent had an issue since but I never did figure that one out.