Loopy Gear Indicator

[Engineer]

2005 1200GS, 43,000 miles.

My gear indicator started doing the

'I am confused, don't know which gear, if any, I am in'

thing yesterday.

So when I got home, I disconnected the battery; unplugged the gear indicator connector from the transducer; inspected the plug (it looked fine and dry); plugged it back in; reconnected the battery; turned ignition on and....... Hurrah! all working again.


Might be worth a try if you get the same symptoms.


P.S My gear indicator went wonky when the bike was fairly new; this happened if the bike got wet - dealer fixed it and never had a problem until yesterday; although this time it was NOT caused by water.

 

[scotty42]

Gear Indicator

I had the same problem when I was out on a 3 day tour, and found that if I didn't get a green neutral light before switching the engine off, I could not restart the bike, I then had to disconnect the battery and play with the gear selector, then reconnect the battery and hope for the neutral light, often took a number of attempts to work, in the end it was easier to get someone to push start the bike!

2005 Model 20,000KMs

 

[Snoopy]

It's caused by the plug at the back of the gearbox. It might not be wet but it will probably be oxidised which was the problem on my 05. Sandpaper and some copper slip will solve it more permanently.

 

[GSband]

It helps to spray some WD40 on it every time before you wash/clean your bike.

 

[Engineer]

It's caused by the plug at the back of the gearbox. It might not be wet but it will probably be oxidised which was the problem on my 05. Sandpaper and some copper slip will solve it more permanently.

It could have been exactly this - I didn't look that closely but just the act of removing and replacing the connector may have been enough to break through any corrosion.

 

[Demongroover]

Right then, mine has this problem now.
It's been in my garage for a while having a bit of a refurb, powder & paint etc.
Whilst on blocks I removed and cleaned the unit inside and the plug, refitted and first ride today. It's still the same, it will show gears (reluctantly) whilst riding but doesn't show 1st or neutral and as such won't start unless I flick up the stand and pull in the clutch.
Any ideas anyone?
And how much is a new one?

 

[scotty42]

Gear Ind

I tried the plug clean, and this did not fix my bike, only the replacement of the module fixed it.

 

[Engineer]

Right then, mine has this problem now.
It's been in my garage for a while having a bit of a refurb, powder & paint etc.
Whilst on blocks I removed and cleaned the unit inside and the plug, refitted and first ride today. It's still the same, it will show gears (reluctantly) whilst riding but doesn't show 1st or neutral and as such won't start unless I flick up the stand and pull in the clutch.
Any ideas anyone?
And how much is a new one?

I assume that you have disconnected and reconnected the battery as well.

I have no idea if this make a difference - because I do not know if the gear indicator transducer works by making an absolute resistance measurement or a relative one - I did the battery disconnect while the bike was in neutral.


P.S. It may have been a coincidence but my gear indicator started playing up shortly after I had parked the bike for a couple of hours with it left in first gear. When it was mis-reading you could often see the correct number displayed as one shifted between gears, but once they were fully home the screen gave either the wrong number or was blank - it was if it was just a bit out of calibration.

 

[Demongroover]

Right, I pulled the sensor off again last night and bathed it in WD40.
The wiring looks clean and ok inside as far as I can see, but gave it a squirt anyhow.
Removed the battery and left for 10 mins or so for everything to reset.

Riding to work this morning the gear indicator on the dash was flashing up random numbers when changing gear or when the clutch was in and doesn't show neutral at all, so cannot start bike unless stand is up.

Might have to get a new unit

 

[Demongroover]

Took bike on a decent run to a rally at the weekend and the gear indicator started working perfectly again! Weird, maybe it needed to re-calibrate itself?

 

[GrinningGSer]

I was told that they can be recallibrated... but I am on my third gear position sensor on my 07GSA. All replaced under warranty. I believe £100 ish if not warranty

 

[cmm1150rt]

Mine's gone now

I removed the gear position sensor on Saturday (much easier than I thought) and there was absolutely no sign of water ingress anywhere.

Gave it a clean anyway, stuffed everything with Vaseline, bunged it back on. No dice.

Disconnected battery for half an hour. Reconnected. No dice.

And for some reason mine won't start at all in gear irrespective of gear/sidestand/clutch position, and never has done since new (March 2004).

The strange thing is that by the time I get to work (40 miles, lovely benderies) all's fine and dandy, and I even get a Neutral light when I'm in neutral. Eight hours later (no rain) it's at it again.

Is the received wisdom that only a replacement sensor will sort this? Because it's getting embarrassing at petrol stations.

 

[Snoopy]

It's done on resistance I think which is why the water affects it. If oxidised it'll be different ohm - wire brush or even a round chisel first?

 

[cmm1150rt]

But but but.

Absolutely no water in it, totally clean. Hasn't rained for ages, and I haven't cleaned the bike either. It's really getting on my wotsits.

 

[Snoopy]

But but but

Condensation causes it to oxidise.

 

[cmm1150rt]

Yerss. S'pose I'll have to track down a s/h one or something.

No way of testing it, I suppose, other than paying an arm or a leg to a dealer to wave his magic box at it?

 

[Demongroover]

Took bike on a decent run to a rally at the weekend and the gear indicator started working perfectly again! Weird, maybe it needed to re-calibrate itself?

Tip:

Mine failed again so I replaced the unit.
I noticed that the unit isn't properly sealed. It is two halves stuck together but not actually bonded together.
So, for piece of mind, I sealed mine in silicone sealant and left to dry before I fitted it.

 

[BillWright]

Hi

I had the same problem with mine. It would either clear itself of have a spray of WD40, be okay for a while and then play up.

The potentiometer has to be set by the workshop when the bike is being prepared. The mechanic reset mine by plugging in the diagnostic lead and iots been perfect ever since. Might be a cheaper alternativeto replacement


Bill

 

[jablake]

mine also

is the unit that needs cleaning on the back of the gearbox
thanks

 

[ianran]

My old Suzuki GT750 used to haver an 8 speed gearbox in the rain!!!