Gearbox sensor problems

  • Thread starter Thread starter Blackadder
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Blackadder

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My 2005 1200 thinks it's permanently in gear. I've lost the display telling me which gear I'm in or even when I'm in neutral. Has anybody had such a problem and what are the possible solutions?
 
My 2005 1200 thinks it's permanently in gear. I've lost the display telling me which gear I'm in or even when I'm in neutral. Has anybody had such a problem and what are the possible solutions?

Blackadder, I'm just going to move your thread over to the 1200 section, hopefully you'll get a better response there.

Welcome to UKGSer BTW, hope you get the bike sorted soon.
 
Hello.

It's a gear position switch problem, usually caused by an ingress of water. You are not alone.

Go here: http://www.r1200gs.info/faq/index.html

A search on the 1200 section will turn up lots of info.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172807&highlight=gear+position+switch

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29150&highlight=gear+position+switch

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97645&highlight=gear+position+switch

Easy to fix, either by yourself or a dealer.
 
Had this myself in January- turned out to be the sensor. Costs about £80:eek:

Easy enough to change- a bit fiddly but not that difficult. It may not work first time- mine didn't. A quick trip to SSB to clear the fault code and it now works properly.
 
hi blackadder
your problem is identical to what happened to my 06 gs. my gear indicator would be intermittent, work fine for an hour then either stop working altogether or flash on and off. was a pain if it didn't register neutral as the bike wouldn't start as it assumed it was in gear, so it was a matter of side stand up and pull clutch in then she would go.
as described by previous posts it was a faulty gear indicator sensor which is bolted to the back of the gearbox, apparently they fail if water gets in.
easy job to fix
hope this helps
:beerjug:
 
Thanks guys. Armed with all the info, I'll have a go at replacing the sensor. I assume the exhaust will have to be removed to access the switch.
 
It may help, but there is no need. I found it easier from the left hand side of the bike and removed the starter motor cover- I had to buy some torx spanners as I couldn't get a socket in the gap, plus it was 1/4 of a turn at a time, but managed it in the end.

As I mentioned before don't be surprised if when you replace it that it still doesn't work correctly- mine only worked properly again when Southport Superbikes cleared the fault code.
 
Thanks guys. Armed with all the info, I'll have a go at replacing the sensor. I assume the exhaust will have to be removed to access the switch.

Not strictly necessary.
I replaced the male torx bolts with hex head stainless bolts for easiler future access when I removed and lubed the unit, which paid off later when the fault repeated itself and I replaced the unit.
The new unit cured it immediately.
Top tip, seal the unit with silicon prior to fitting as it is two halves pressed together.
 
Gearbox sensor.

Spot on chaps. A new sensor was installed without any great difficulty but without any visible effect or effect on the performance of the engine. I used the GS 911 diagnostic tool to sort out the fault code. Everything back to normal and a clean bill of health. The GS 911 is a super piece of kit and worth every penny.
 
Gearbox sensor

I replaced the fiddly torx fasteners with stainless bolts and liberally daubed the sensor with Lanotec, a multipurpose grease which is naturally occurring in sheeps' wool! It's very useful as a barrier against water, salt and acid corrosion and should do an admirable job protecting the sensor against the gunge thrown up from the wintery roads.
 


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