Indicator timeout/engine restart in gear

[cmm1150rt]

Tried to find out but no luck, so forgive me if this has already been dealt with.

The indicator timeout is a pain. there are at least two places on my commute where I have to restart the indicator because it doesn't go on long enough. Is there a firmware fix for this?

And while I'm on the subject of firmware, mine's a 2004 and still doesn't let you restart the engine while in gear if you manage to stall it and pull the clutch. Bloody dangerous. Again, anyone know of a fix?

 

[casperghst42]

The indicator timeout is much discussed and most people dislike it - unfortunately BMW have not made it optional....

As for staring in gear, make sure that you hear a click sound when you pull the clutch, if not then it might be the switch which is wrongly adjusted, if you do then it might be the switch which is dead.

Casper

 

[cmm1150rt]

Thanks for the swift response, Casper. Bloody nuisance, but there you go.

As to the non-restart, when I bought the bike the dealer told me that's what's supposed to happen. That is:

1. Pull away a bit too sharpish.
2. Stall engine.
3. Disengage clutch (smartly).
4. Press start.
5. Nothing, nada, zilch, nul points usw.
6. Somehow find neutral before grinding to halt and being mown down.
7. Etc.

Apparently the only other way to restart is to switch off and on again, but that's not exactly a realistic fix.

/C

 

[WindyChuffer]

I've had a '54, and '06 GS and now have an '09. All of them start in gear with the clutch in.

Dicky clutch switch?

As for the indicators, best work around I can think of is keep pressing the indicator switch from every few seconds.

 

[cmm1150rt]

Not a dicky switch - been like it from new (04 plate). Starts in gear with clutch in when stationary. It's only when rolling it won't do it.

The reason it's taken me so long to grumpfle about it is a long story, which also accounts for the extremely low mileage for its age. Good job I'm a long-time Landy owner as well - lots of mtterings under breath about the multifarious foibles (like second gear sleeping in on cold mornings).

/C

 

[WindyChuffer]

Not a dicky switch - been like it from new (04 plate). Starts in gear with clutch in when stationary. It's only when rolling it won't do it.

That's so weird, and as you say, dangerous.

What happens if you try and bump start it then? Ignition is on, put in gear suitable for the speed, dump clutch and apply gas... What happens?

 

[st247]

As to the non-restart, when I bought the bike the dealer told me that's what's supposed to happen. That is:

1. Pull away a bit too sharpish.
2. Stall engine.
3. Disengage clutch (smartly).
4. Press start.
5. Nothing, nada, zilch, nul points usw.
6. Somehow find neutral before grinding to halt and being mown down.
7. Etc.

Apparently the only other way to restart is to switch off and on again, but that's not exactly a realistic fix.

/C

Reckon your dealers talking shite. I can start mine whilst rolling. The fact that you can't is downright dangerous. I'd be taking it to see BWM.

 

[cmm1150rt]

Er, not tried that. Might give it a go on a quiet bit on the way home tonight (if it's stopped tipping it down).

 

[st247]

Have a look at this thread. Does it sound the same? If so have a butchers at the sidestand switch.

 

[cmm1150rt]

Nope, don't think it's that. Thing is, it's been like it from new, and when I remonstrated with the dealer about it he said it was supposed to be like that (as did the mechanic, who was one of the few people I'd have trusted with any bike of mine).

A. So, it starts/doesn't start when at a standstill according to the rules (in respect of state of gears, clutch and sidestand). So there's unlikely to be a switch problem.

BUT

B. Once engine has been running and stalled when in gear, will ONLY start in neutral unless the ignition is switched off and on again, in which case we are, in fact, in situation A above.

Alles klar? Not to me it ain't.

 

[st247]

Nope, don't think it's that. Thing is, it's been like it from new, and when I remonstrated with the dealer about it he said it was supposed to be like that (as did the mechanic, who was one of the few people I'd have trusted with any bike of mine).

A. So, it starts/doesn't start when at a standstill according to the rules (in respect of state of gears, clutch and sidestand). So there's unlikely to be a switch problem.

BUT

B. Once engine has been running and stalled when in gear, will ONLY start in neutral unless the ignition is switched off and on again, in which case we are, in fact, in situation A above.

Alles klar? Not to me it ain't.

Right just been out to mine and disconnected the sidestand switch. With it disconnected (or faulty) the bike displays the exact fault you describe (will not turn over in gear with the sidestand up).

You can't check it stationary because it won't let you start it in gear with the sidestand down and clutch in.

It will only let you start in neutral because the bike thinks that the sidestand is down all the time when the switch fails.

So i'd say either the switch is u/s or loose or the connector under the left black sidecover is disconnected.

 

[cmm1150rt]

OK, thanks for all that, chaps. I'll have a play with it over the weekend and see what transpires.

/C

 

[OldCroc]

Regarding the indicator timeout ... does anyone know if Kissan do a minder for the 1200. It was a brilliant piece of kit on the 1150 allowing you to set the timeout to various settings, cancel the indicator using either switch, use the indicators as running lights etc.

OldCroc

 

[Pukmeister]

If you know any forum members with a GS911 device you can do a quick diagnostic check of real-time values. This will show you when the switches change state, simply operate the sidestand, clutch switch etc and see it change from open to closed on the screen of your laptop. As stated, the clutch switch should let you start the bike in gear.

I know that very early firmware on the bike meant that if the rear wheel turned on the centrestand when in neutral (due to oil drag in the cold gearbox) the engine would stop. Perhaps there is something wrong with your bikes firmware or you have the early version: If the bike senses the rear wheel is moving with the original firmware, it will NOT allow the engine to run.

Do you 'jab' at the starter button or keep it pressed? Sometimes my bike needs about a second of 'thinking time' after holding the starter button before it engages the starter motor after a stall.

A dealer with a BMW GT1 diagnostic computer can check release versions and load an updated firmware version for your bikes ECU if necessary.

As for the indicator self-cancel, it is designed for urban use. If you press the indicators at the 300 yard exit slip marker of a motorway, by the time you reach the slip road it has self-cancelled. Either trigger the indicators at the second exit slip marker, or do a repeat signal just before reaching your exit from the motorway.