1200GS Gear position indicator problems.

[(RIP) Miff]

As per title.

When I start the bike (2005, R1200 , 14k on clock) from cold, it cranks over once, then stops. The gear indicator is showing that it's in 2nd gear (which it isn't). If I push the gear lever down, then it usually "realises" that it's in neutral. It only does it when it's cold.

Also, recently, the gear changes haven't felt quite right (iykwim).

I've stripped the gear linkage and greased it. I've split and cleaned the little multi plug behind the gearbox.

The gearbox has oil in it (and was serviced 2k ago).

Now the bike is mostly used in dry weather. It's a toy. It doesn't get much use in the winter.

It's always parked on the center stand.

I've tried the search button, with no success.

Anyone got any ideas???
I would prefer sensible answers. I know whay some of you lot are like

 

[Pukmeister]

I suspect it needs more than a clean of the multi plug, probably a replacement gear position sensor which could be internally at fault.

 

[Yellow Peril]

Gear position indicator and it will get worse till it goes totally then to start you'll need side stand up and clutch lever in. My second one has just failed but that may be dealers fault.

 

[Engineer]

Very common issue on the earlier 1200s, especially if the gear position sensor got wet. Not sure if it is still an issue on the later bikes.

 

[the shepard]

gearchange indicator

my 07 1200rt with 15000 mls on it does not show 1st or neutral until warmed up

 

[Mr K]

Just had bother with the gear position indicator/neutral light - Like the shepard it seemed to clear as the bike warmed up/after a few miles.
I found the cable going to the sensor was resting on top of the mounting point for the cat/exhaust collector and was melted onto it.
Moved it clear and all works again, but at a loss as to why this should occur at random now... (04 model, 55k+ miles)

I'll have to rig something permanent to stop this happening again, when I have more time.

Hope this helps?

 

[BillWright]

Hi

The potentiometer is at the rear of the gearbox. Mine was just reprogrammed using the BMW software link and has been okay since. I think its about £175 for the part.

Bill

 

[Mr K]

Just had bother with the gear position indicator/neutral light - Like the shepard it seemed to clear as the bike warmed up/after a few miles.
I found the cable going to the sensor was resting on top of the mounting point for the cat/exhaust collector and was melted onto it.
Moved it clear and all works again, but at a loss as to why this should occur at random now... (04 model, 55k+ miles)

I'll have to rig something permanent to stop this happening again, when I have more time.

Hope this helps?

Just had a nother try.... still bolloxed.

 

[TeaPig]

Just had a nother try.... still bolloxed.

There are loads of posts about this, though few in the last year or so. It's normally water getting in the potentiometer. If you are lucky a darn good blasting with WD40 followed by a period to dry out will fix it. Avoid jet washing that area too. I had a 20k mile 1150 do this but after WD-ing it slowly sorted itself out and did another 80k without a problem. If it won't fix itself, the unit can allegedly be replaced without taking the swing-arm off

 

[Kaybe]

Teapig's response is what I have found worked for me, and the problem "touch wood" has disappeared for last c10months.

I initially put wd40 on the sensor housing a few times and always before washing the bike.
That seemed to stabilise it then at the end of this last year, gave it a good coat of ACF-50, and periodic spray of same during the winter months of lay up.
Not been an issue this year, apart from once when driving along, and it corrected itself after a minute or so.

 

[jules]

1200 ADV Gear Indicator

Had this problem with mine a while ago after being stood outside in the wet for a week, then started working again, then not and just come back from a 2500mile EU trip without any bother. Bit of a pain when not working but seems a lot of money to fix so being a tight Yorkshire man will try to remember which gear I am in if it happens again! Bike is a 2006 1200ADV with not a lot of miles on it.

 

[sven]

Had this problem with mine a while ago after being stood outside in the wet for a week, then started working again, then not and just come back from a 2500mile EU trip without any bother. Bit of a pain when not working but seems a lot of money to fix so being a tight Yorkshire man will try to remember which gear I am in if it happens again! Bike is a 2006 1200ADV with not a lot of miles on it.

Mine failed on my K1200S after I'd washed it. It was nearly a costly failure as it indicated neutral when I switched the ignition switch on but was actually in first, so the bike rolled off the side stand when I pressed the starter button - managed to catch it before it hit the floor thankfully