LCD gear indicator / filling with petrol

[RWelch]

I've been riding all through the bad weather and since the really cold days I've had a problem with the LCD indicator either not showing any gear or showing the wrong gear. On a couple of occasions it has shown 1st or 2nd when the box was in neutral so I had to hold the clutch in to start the bike. Gearbox is working fine so its just a nuisance, but since the fault is intermittent I'm guessing its a bad connection.

I'm told it is likely to be to do with the gear selector switch somewhere on the back of the gearbox ... but the Haynes doesn't even mention it ... any ideas or pics would be great.

Also filing the petrol tank (GS) has to be done really slowly to get it full ... any tips. I've tried inserting the pump nozzle in all sorts of directions over the past year of ownership.
thanks

 

[Pukmeister]

Theres a big plastic bit on the back of the gearbox between the 'box and the swingarm. It has a wiring cable/connector which gets a damned good wash from the water off the rear tyre when it rains.

It's worth a spray of WD-40 on it to displace the water, then once it dries out an works properly again, a good spray of ACF-50 or similar to protect it from further water ingress.

Mine used to play up until I did the above, since then I have been fording streams etc with no problems.

If you still have the rubber tube inside the fuel tank filler neck, you can use your index finger to fish it out with a bit of effort. Keep it for posterity afterwards if you like, most people just bin it. Removing it lets the air out quicker as the fuel goes in, plus it lets you squeeze more each fill up into the tank.

 

[Dainese Brave]

I've not found an answer to the slow filling tank....only to be patient

.....I find it awkward in filling stations abroad, where they fill the tank for you...

....when you say 'no, it's ok, I'll do it'..knowing that as they try their best to fill you up as fast as possible, all they are going to get is that stop-start clunk as the pump keeps backing up!

....then the look of indignace you get as if you've insulted them for not being capable, or been ignorant of their well intentioned offer of assistance!

....then they look in disbelief as you fill it up so slowly they think you're taking the ps!

 

[bmwrich58]

After the cleaning an drying,pack it full of Dielectric grease.
Works great and weather proofed too!

 

[gavin@iow]

Also filing the petrol tank (GS) has to be done really slowly to get it full ... any tips. I've tried inserting the pump nozzle in all sorts of directions over the past year of ownership.
thanks

There is a mod to drill the filler neck, on the forum somewhere, once done you can fill up quicker, and to the top of the neck if need be.

 

[RWelch]

thanks

thanks to all the above .. I also got directed to the pictures of the tank drilling technique on the club forum .... looks simple enough but I think I'd use a hand drill not an electric with all that vapour around!

I'll have a go at the selector switch, thanks again

rwelch

 

[LiquidLAN]

I've been riding all through the bad weather and since the really cold days I've had a problem with the LCD indicator either not showing any gear or showing the wrong gear. On a couple of occasions it has shown 1st or 2nd when the box was in neutral so I had to hold the clutch in to start the bike. Gearbox is working fine so its just a nuisance, but since the fault is intermittent I'm guessing its a bad connection.

I'm told it is likely to be to do with the gear selector switch somewhere on the back of the gearbox ... but the Haynes doesn't even mention it ... any ideas or pics would be great.

Also filing the petrol tank (GS) has to be done really slowly to get it full ... any tips. I've tried inserting the pump nozzle in all sorts of directions over the past year of ownership.
thanks

I had the same problem on a 12GSA, actually a worse problem as I then discovered that the clutch cut out switch was also knackered - I seem to remember it not being the simplest thing to replace as I believe you had to remove the rear drive train to get to the switch to replace it

if it's still under warranty I'd drop it back into a dealer and get them to look at it, as it's a right pain in the arse

filling... just take your time and do it slowly, enjoy the surroundings, etc... remember you're not on a sports bike any more so you're not going to get to see petrol stations so often

 

[Wally]

Gear Position Sensor

The gear position sensor is shown in the Haynes manual on page 2.64 the top left pictures, although this does not show its position with the engine in the bike. You have to crawl on the floor on the left hand side of the bike and look between the swinging arm and rear of the bike engine/gearbox to see it.

You can get your hand in to remove the connector and clean out the sensor contact with some contact cleaner if this helps. If you need to replace the sensor this can be done with a bit of careful manoeuvering of an E8 torx spanner to remove the two bolts and pulling the item gently to the rear to clear the operating shaft. Be careful not to damage the rubber seal.

I managed to replace mine in about 15 minutes

I would post a picture of the old one but I am relatively new to the site and have not sussed this out yet.

 

[RWelch]

Success on both items

Just spent a pleasant Sunday am under the bike. The gear selector switch was a doddle to do. approaching from the left of the bike I was able to pull the plug and socket apart (helped by some long nosed, and work discarded, artery clamps) and dose both ends with WD40. I would have used ACF50 but didn't have any to hand. Result .... gear indicator now back to normal function. I think it would be possible but difficult to change the switch without better access as you suggest ... someone on hand with small hands and good dexterity would be useful ... but SWthinksSMBO is out

Also had a go at the tank nozzle. 2 new holes drilled in the vertical wall of the spout so we'll see what difference it makes next fill up .... but again easy to do. Need to take top GRP tank moulding off and cover the tank hole with a cloth to stop any stray metal from the drill going into the petrol! Important to assess how the locking cap fits so that when you close the cap it still seals the spout including the new holes. The breather hole that is there by design and attached to a rubber pipe on the inside is not covered by the cap when closed, so I guess its there to allow expansion when/if we have warmer weather.
Thanks again to all who helped

 

[Wally]

Gear Position Sensor

Photo of the Gear Position Sensor if interested. Shown with the spanner used to remove it and a 2p for scale.

 

[scotty42]

Gear position indicator

I had aproblem with my gear indicator not showing the correct gear sometimes and occasionally showing no gear at all, if I stopped the engine with no gear number showing and no neutral light,the only way I could get the bike going again was to disconnect the battery a number of times until the neutral light showed up again. Pretty annoying on 2005 model that has only done 20,000KMs

 

[bmwrich58]

I had aproblem with my gear indicator not showing the correct gear sometimes and occasionally showing no gear at all, if I stopped the engine with no gear number showing and no neutral light,the only way I could get the bike going again was to disconnect the battery a number of times until the neutral light showed up again. Pretty annoying on 2005 model that has only done 20,000KMs

Bike should have started in any gear as long as the "CLUTCH" lever is applied.

Almost like riding and the bike cutting out,while coasting,you apply the clutch hit the starter and you're good to go.

Only reason this "would not work" is when the "clutch switch" (mounted in the clutch lever perch) is broken or a wire in the clutch system is broken.

 

[scotty42]

Gear position indicator

I didn't make any difference with the clutch lever in or out, if I didn't have a neutral light or gear indication the bike would not start.

Bike was diagnosed by Barcelona BMW in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, I assume they had the diagnostic computer on it, they told me that the neutral start switch needed replacing, unfortuanately the switch was not available, so I carried on riding the bike.

 

[Demongroover]

I'm having intermittent problems with this too.
As soon as I can find some 'electra-lube' I'm going to remove and clean up this component before it all corrodes.
Did you seal the unit on replacement? With Hylomar or silicon for instance?

 

[Gromit80]

Gear position Sensor

Hi all,
i have the same problem, have tried WD-40. but still not joy.
have been looking on the internet, but can't find anywhere to get one.
can anyone let me know where i can order one from

thanks

 

[Wally]

Gear position Sensor

I got mine from a breakers yard for £20

Cheshire Motorcycle salvage.

Unit 2
Pool St, Macclesfield, SK11 7NX
01625 502372

Coudn't say if they have any more but the sevice I received was excellent.

I think the price of a new one from a dealer is nearer £70.