raoufhakam Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 long story short, like title says its my '00 VFR800 won't start on gear with clutch pulled and kickstand up i thought that the VFR would only start on neutral normally, until i found there is a clutch switch and clutch diode that according to service manual are there to permit starting the bike on gear with clutch pulled and kickstand up -checked clutch lever switch, works fine -checked/tested clutch diode continuity, works fine - tried to short the clutch switch wires, still wont start on gear what else could be the cause of this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Terry Posted September 11, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted September 11, 2014 I think you've checked the obvious culprits. My only (very obvious but sometimes overlooked) suggestion, is the killswitch in the "Run" position??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Switchblade Posted September 12, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2014 You need to use the drawing above and chase your wires thru clutch switch to the sidestand switch and to the ECM. Mite be a broke wire . Clutch switch is 34 I believe. There is a service manual at the download section . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Cogswell Posted September 12, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2014 Maybe also separate the connector from the ECM to see if there are any continuity issues. Re-reading the OP, I wasn't clear on whether the sidestand switch also verified good. Both have to function for it to start it gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raoufhakam Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 Maybe also separate the connector from the ECM to see if there are any continuity issues. Re-reading the OP, I wasn't clear on whether the sidestand switch also verified good. Both have to function for it to start it gear. i'm assuming if the side-stand switch isn't functioning properly, the bike would die if i start it in neutral then shift to gear with the kickstand up, right? p.s. i tried starting it in gear with the clutch pulled with the kickstand down or up, still won't start Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Cogswell Posted September 12, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2014 Yes, good point - I slipped a tooth on that - in gear, clutch in, sidestand down kills the engine. Can't think of anything other than a break in the continuity from the clutch switch to the ECM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NRSPTR Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 I see that you confirmed that the clutch switch is good, but are you sure that the clutch lever is fully actuating the switch? I recently installed a new aftermarket clutch lever and had the same issue with the bike not starting in gear. Turns out there is a small amount of play between the screw and the hole on the clutch switch that can allow a fully depressed clutch lever to not quite actuate the switch. Try loosening the screw, and physically move the switch closer to the lever, then tighten the screw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee 2002 Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 On my North American market 2002 the circuit for starting is: (Gen 5 is the same from my memory of my brother's bike) To spin the starter motor with the motorcycle in gear: (POS Batt Term) - (30A Main Fuse) - (Main IGN Switch (Key)) - (10A Fuse "C") - (Engine Stop Switch) - (Starter Button) - (Start Relay Coil) - (Clutch Switch) - (Side Stand Switch) - (NEG Batt Term (via frame)) Alternately, to spin the starter motor with the motorcycle in neutral: (POS Batt Term) - (30A Main Fuse) - (Main IGN Switch (Key)) - (10A Fuse "C") - (Engine Stop Switch) - (Starter Button) - (Start Relay Coil) - (Clutch Diode) - (Neutral Switch) - (NEG Batt Term (via frame)) Of course you have: (POS Batt Term) - (Start Relay) - (Starter Motor) -(NEG Batt Term) I have no idea why some are mentioning the ECM.... the ECM has no function in the starter motor spinning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer taglicious Posted September 12, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2014 side stand... problematic of a lot of bikes. spring actuated, spring breaks no worky. buy a new switch or set wiring up for continual loop :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raoufhakam Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 I see that you confirmed that the clutch switch is good, but are you sure that the clutch lever is fully actuating the switch? I recently installed a new aftermarket clutch lever and had the same issue with the bike not starting in gear. Turns out there is a small amount of play between the screw and the hole on the clutch switch that can allow a fully depressed clutch lever to not quite actuate the switch. Try loosening the screw, and physically move the switch closer to the lever, then tighten the screw. I have the stock levers and i can see and hear it clicking the switch so im almost confident this is not the cause of the problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Switchblade Posted September 12, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2014 Remove the battery leads and check your connector at the ECM. Make sure the pins are clean and then re-connect. Reconnect the battery leads and try to start or have you already done this ? PS love the color . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee 2002 Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 I have the stock levers and i can see and hear it clicking the switch so im almost confident this is not the cause of the problem Sound means absolutely nothing. Until you put a multimeter on the switch and see it is passing voltage you have no idea how that switch is functioning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer FJ12Ryder Posted September 12, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2014 Just what I was thinking: the switch could be clicking, but non-functioning and not actually closing the contacts. Need to check the switch with a VOM to make sure it's really working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superfunkomatic Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Sidestand switch? Lots of gunk builds up down there. A quick clean and test with voltmeter should do it. If it isn't functioning at all it will prevent the starting of the motor. I can't remember on our bikes but on many others you can jump the terminals on that switch or close the circuit with a wire to test it when starting up your machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer FJ12Ryder Posted September 12, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2014 Yeah, I thought sidestand switch at first, but then it would shut off if put in gear while the engine is running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Switchblade Posted September 12, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2014 Yeah, I thought sidestand switch at first, but then it would shut off if put in gear while the engine is running. Yeap . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee 2002 Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Just what I was thinking: the switch could be clicking, but non-functioning and not actually closing the contacts. Need to check the switch with a VOM to make sure it's really working. That switch is out in the weather and the slightest bit of moisture infiltration can cause corrosion and oxidation on the contacts. They may be closing and the switch may sound "normal" and be mechanically functioning correctly. But the switch could have a high-resistance contact that doesn't allow enough current to pass to pull in the start relay. This switch needs resistance measured (ohmed out) to verify function. Until you've done that, you've done nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Switchblade Posted September 13, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted September 13, 2014 More Info . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raoufhakam Posted September 13, 2014 Author Share Posted September 13, 2014 I did test the switch, it is functioning, Howecer, i tried to test for continuity or voltage between the two wires going into the switch, voltage was 0.00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Switchblade Posted September 13, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted September 13, 2014 Now trouble shoot to the kickstand switch and kept going until you find voltage . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer FJ12Ryder Posted September 13, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted September 13, 2014 I did test the switch, it is functioning, Howecer, i tried to test for continuity or voltage between the two wires going into the switch, voltage was 0.00 Okay, you lost me. Did you test for continuity at the switch blades with the wires unplugged? It should read 0 when open and basically 1 when closed. With the bike on, there should be voltage, 12V most likely, at one of the wires when open and at both wires when closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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