K11 Owners Group

philosophicalzombie · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 5:56 pm Post subject: Won't start with clutch engaged

My bike suddenly will not turn over with the clutch engaged. It's dead in the water unless it's in neutral.

Ideas?

Thanks,

Blake
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Blake
Mariposa, CA

1993 K1100RS Mystic Red

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 6:34 pm Post subject:

Greetings,
I presume you mean in gear, with the clutch disengaged.
Usually the clutch lever switch.
HTH
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Regards Tim,

Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
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#485

Jim · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 10:52 pm Post subject:

Sidestand up or down?
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Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

philosophicalzombie · Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 1:25 am Post subject:

Tim: sorry for the sloppy language. Yes, when it is in gear, with clutch disengaged, it won't turn over. Yesterday it did, and today it don't.

Jim: Sidestand up, of course.

Is the clutch lever switch connected to the wire that sits just to the rear of the clutch cable proper?

Blake
_________________
Blake
Mariposa, CA

1993 K1100RS Mystic Red

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 6:40 am Post subject:

Blake, it sounds like you need to replace the clutch lever switch.
Yes it screws into the "perch" right behind the cable.

Something you might try, grab some WD-40 or PB Blaster, or similar and carefully spray the switch plunger and see if maybe it's just stuck.

When I say carefully, try not to get any inside the clutch cable itself as it can mess it up as it's not supposed to be lubricated....
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Ride safe.

1997 K1100LT 0302488
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1995 K1100LT 0302044(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

philosophicalzombie · Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 3:56 pm Post subject:

Thanks Scott. Any other way to troubleshoot the switch?

Blake
_________________
Blake
Mariposa, CA

1993 K1100RS Mystic Red

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 5:47 pm Post subject:

samandkimberly · Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 10:02 pm Post subject:

Well, I feel a little stupid. Up until now, I've assumed that K1100s simply didn't start unless in neutral; I see now that I almost certainly have had a bad clutch switch. Ill fix that, but it got me wondering - why does the neutral/clutch interlock keep the starter from running at all, but the kickstand interlock allows the starter to run but not the fuel pump? That just doesn't make sense to me - is there some sensible reason you'd want to be able to turn the engine over but not have it start with the sidestand down?

Sam
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1993 K1100rs, r80, Montesas, Morinis, Hondas, Suzukis, and an MZ

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 10:17 pm Post subject:

Sam, you must have something else messed up.
Neither of mine will turn the starter with the side stand down, neutral or not.
_________________
Ride safe.

1997 K1100LT 0302488
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1995 K1100LT 0302044(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Inge K. · Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 4:52 am Post subject:

Sam's switch functions correctly, it's differently wired on the pre -94 models.

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 6:51 am Post subject:

Ernie-NH · Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 1:14 pm Post subject:

Good morning all..

Re Scott's comment .... ""..Doesn't make sense that they(bmw) would....etc ""

..... I've had 4 BMW bikes and 2 autos on both sides of the Atlantic, and I've never found anything that BMW Engineering did that made sense ! ( the first time around that is ! )

Best regards and good luck with that clutch switch !..... // Ernie in NH
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