800GS not starting

[Gavin]

my 2009 f800GS starts fine in Neutral but if I try start it in gear with the clutch engaged it wont start.

The side / centre stand safety thingy doen't appear to be the problem as if I engage the gear after statring in Neutral it runs fine.

I even read the manual and only emgaged the clutch after turning on the ignition ;-)

any pointers / advice?

rgds

Gavin

 

[freeloader]

my 2009 f800GS starts fine in Neutral but if I try start it in gear with the clutch engaged it wont start.

The side / centre stand safety thingy doen't appear to be the problem as if I engage the gear after statring in Neutral it runs fine.

I even read the manual and only emgaged the clutch after turning on the ignition ;-)

any pointers / advice?

rgds

Gavin

Why would you want to start it in gear with the clutch engaged?

 

[everywherevirtually]

Why would you want to start it in gear with the clutch engaged?

+1 freeloader. So based on what he said. The bike is in gear and the clutch is let out... ie engaged. Of course it wont start or is something lost in translation here.

 

[ide508]

Why would you want to start it in gear with the clutch engaged?

I do this every times when I arrive home, the road is quite up hill and I stop the bike there while in first gear in order to open the gate. I found it easier... but mine does start

Cheers
Bernard

 

[freeloader]

I do this every times when I arrive home, the road is quite up hill and I stop the bike there while in first gear in order to open the gate. I found it easier... but mine does start

Cheers
Bernard

I'd presume you pull the clutch lever in before starting though (ie, disengage it)?

 

[Gavin]

Why would you want to start it in gear with the clutch engaged?

ok - I mean disengaged then ie clutch lever is pulled in as if I was about to pull away

 

[ide508]

I'd presume you pull the clutch lever in before starting though (ie, disengage it)?

You bet

 

[Greggers]

Gavin - Yes, you should be able to start the bike in gear with the clutch disengaged (lever pulled in!) ... Can you hear the switch on the clutch lever clicking when you pull it in?

I think there are a few switch conditions that the ECU looks at before triggering the starter but I'm guessing that your friendly local BMW dealer will be able to verify the condition of all the sensors by plugging in the diagnostic reader...

Greg

 

[E. Buygum]

Stumbled across this...don't have an 800 but do know that on some bikes you have to disengage clutch AFTER ignition is turned on so that ECU "sees it being disengaged". You are probably doing that anyway so please ignore but if you pull in the clutch before you turn on the ignition, that could be the problem...or possibly not.

Sorry-please ignore...have actually read original post...always a good idea.

 

[Gavin]

Gavin - Yes, you should be able to start the bike in gear with the clutch disengaged (lever pulled in!) ... Can you hear the switch on the clutch lever clicking when you pull it in?

I think there are a few switch conditions that the ECU looks at before triggering the starter but I'm guessing that your friendly local BMW dealer will be able to verify the condition of all the sensors by plugging in the diagnostic reader...

Greg

Thanks Greg - figured a visit to the dealer was on the cards - they can do the 10k km service at the same time

rgds

Gavin

 

[bris_mac]

If you're taking it to the dealer anyway, this is for academic interest only, but:

I had this problem myself, but on my Kawasaki, not the 800GS . It turned out just to be the physical operation of the switch itself. Squirted in some ACF50 and gave it a bit of a clean and lubricate. Could once again start with the bike in gear and the clutch pulled in

 

[Tim Cullis]

I had a pile of problems with the side stand switch on my F650GS which UK dealers were unable to solve. In the end an emergency repair by a German dealer (my fourth BMW Assist recovery for that bike) disengaged the whole of the switch and connected the wires together to bridge the signal.

Some of the misery is documented on http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162512, but there was an awful lot that continued to happen after the last post on that thread.

 

[GunZenBomZ]

ignore me

 

[Gavin]

update

ok take the bike out yesterday and..........it starts with clutch lever pulled in & when in gear - a bit of "hesitation" in that it doesn't fire immediately & sometimes "wiggling" the clutch lever helps.....maybe a switch in the housing?

off to the dealer today to book it in for 10k km service & no way can I replicate the problem

Tim - can't see that it is related to the side stand switch as the bike started fine in neutral and then ran fine when I put it in gear - putting the stand down after that killed the bike correctly – but you never know

Anyway it is being plugged into the "machine" to see if any problems can be detected that way – I will find out tomorrow