Bike wont start after 04 09 left control swap

[Kevin142001]

Title says it. 2004 gs500 switched my trashed left control for a new 09 one. Connector is different but the wires are the same. So i cut both in the middle and connected the wires. Literally everything works but the bike wont start.

My left and right turn sig work my horn works the light switch works. Ignition literally does nothing.

I dont understand im reading the wiring diagram and as far as i can tell you dont even need this damn thing to start the bike. And each switch has a connection because every switch works.

[Kevin142001]

The fuse isnt blown. Everything near the connectors appear to be connected as far as  can tell. The clutch seitch wires were identically colored so i didnt think that mattered, but  flipped the plug both ways and  seem to recall it not even being plugged in on the old one.


If i wasnt so angry this post would make more sense and be easier to read. I just need to know if the left control is necessary in anyway for the bike to start. I.e. is one of the 10 wires i spliced inccorect or lose and not connected. Is there anything other than the fuse that could have blown from plugging the controlled in with bike off and batt connected. Does the clutch switch matter, does its orientation matter.

If all of these are no or irrelevant to the problem then i know when trying to get the connectors in  i pulled something loose and just need to lift the gas tank and check everything. Which is what im getting ready to do anyways.

[Watcher]

I know someone other than me is going to have a better answer but I think the only thing the left side has that would affect starting would be the clutch switch.

Other than a short or bad ground somewhere, I'd guess the clutch would be the issue.

[Kevin142001]

I  could be wrong but i thought mine wasnt plugfed in before. It has identical wire coloring so i didnt think the orientation mattered. If its a simple switch it works either way, i initially tried to start the bike with that unplugged, then plugged it in and tried it both ways.

[Arpee]

I  could be wrong but i thought mine wasnt plugfed in before. It has identical wire coloring so i didnt think the orientation mattered. If its a simple switch it works either way, i initially tried to start the bike with that unplugged, then plugged it in and tried it both ways.

Sometimes the entire switch mechanism (clutch safety switch I'm talking about) is faulty.  That's how mine is.  I just have the two ends jumped together with a wire. 

[cloud2692]

Try bridging the connector for the clutch switch, I have had a few of those switches just stop working on me over the years. That should be the only thing stopping it on the left side, oh and make sure the wire didn't get earthed anywhere in the process or she won't start

Sent from my m1 note using Tapatalk

[Kevin142001]

You were right Cloud, turns out my clutch switch is bad. I dont know where it was modded on the old control because i couldn't see anything but it was never plugged in and started. I stick a wire in both holes on the clutch plug and it starts right up. Im going to pull the switch off and see if i can find anything. I mean it should be a simple mechanical switch. Clutch squeezes in makes two conductive pieces of metal touch, circuits made, bike starts.

[Watcher]

If you've survived this long without a proper clutch safety switch, just cut the connector off and twist the two wires together...

If you want a prettier solution you could modify the switch on the clutch lever perch to always be closed...

It's a good idea to prevent you from starting in 1st, but I was taught to clutch in when starting regardless of gear or neutral and at this point it's hard wired into my subconscious.


Does N override the clutch switch on these?  It does on my Buell, so at least I could start it when the switch went bad.  Turns out the contacts just needed cleaning...

[gsJack]

..........Does N override the clutch switch on these?  It does on my Buell, so at least I could start it when the switch went bad.  Turns out the contacts just needed cleaning..........

With the tranny in neutral you still had to close the clutch switch to crank the starter.  I'd say the clutch switch overrode the N.  I didn't like it that way so I connected the two wires together bypassing the switch and rode it 80k miles that way. 

Left it stock on my 02 for it's 100k miles and no problems that way either.  Just tied the clutch lever back with my hanky if I needed a free hand while cranking the starter while working on it.

[Kevin142001]

I learned to start a bike with the clutch. I always park in neutral but use the clutch out of habbit. Figure its a good habbit and it ever happens to be in first im fine.

Wouldnt it just damage  starter motor trying to turn the engine in first or is the damage worse than that?

[Watcher]

Wouldnt it just damage  starter motor trying to turn the engine in first or is the damage worse than that?

I'm sure there's some extended wear on the starter motor that could be measured after repeated starts in gear, but the real danger is an unprepared rider receiving the lurch and dropping the motorcycle.  Most notably if the rider tried to start the motorcycle while astride the bike, not straddling it.

[Janx101]

FWIW .... I used a spare left control set from a mate's bike a while back... had same plug tho....
My bike 06 gs500f
His bike 98 GSXR 600 !!

So it's not a  'must have exact same bike' thing

You may be able to borrow another left side bundle and test with that? ... undo your current splices... twist the wires nice and tight coming from the chassis side of things then just piggy back/slide them into rear of the borrowed plug...

See if that does any good maybe?

[Kevin142001]

Well i know the splice is solid because if i stick a wire in both ends of the plug that goes into the actual clutch switch. The bike starts. But if i take a wire out of both ends, and actually plug it into the clutch switch, well nothing happens. I have yet to look at the switch itself. Im sure its easy to fix.