Turns off when put in gear

BeninSC

BeninSC

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2023 BMW R18B here. I was out riding last weekend when I had a strange issue come up. I'd been riding straight for about 2 hrs when I pulled over to run into a store to pick up some items. I put the bike in 1st gear (on a slight incline) and turned off the bike. When I returned to the bike, I powered up, put the bike in neutral, lifted the kickstand, and started the bike. It acted normal and gave no sign of trouble. However, when I would put in gear, it immediately turned off. I tried it 3 times before I put back down the kickstand and got off the bike and started looking for any issue that could create the problem. Nothing appeared to be out of order. I got back on the bike raised and lowered the kickstand a few times thinking there could be an issue with the sensor that tells the bike the kickstand is down. I powered back up and this time I got a warning on the screen. "Fault in the engine control. Onward journey possible. Ride carefully to next specialist workshop." Unfortunately, that wasn't exactly true, as I wasn't able to get into gear without the engine turning back off.

I called the Dealer where I purchased the bike and told them what was going on and asked if there was a "limp mode" that would bypass the sensor and allow me to get the bike home. There's not as the kickstand issue is a safety feature and can't be disabled. I called roadside assistance but they couldn't locate an acceptable towing company as it was a Saturday, and apparently their approved vendors only work Monday through Friday. Long story shorter, after multiple conversations with the mgr of the business I was broken down at, I was told it would be ok to leave the bike overnight, but would need to have it removed by the end of day the next day or they would have it towed. Ended up having it towed 90 miles to the dealer on my own. Hopefully, BMW will reimburse me as they couldn't locate a towing service but I could.

As of this past Tuesday, (Dealer is only open Tuesday through Saturday) it's been at my dealership with no word as to what the issue could be. I was hoping to have it back sooner than later as I had planned to go to Bike Week in Myrtle Beach for the first time this upcoming week. Here's to it being a simple issue and unlikely to happen again, at least that's my prayer.

Just wondering if anyone has come across this issue before. Unfortunately, this has made me think twice about all the electronics and cool features of this bike. When something goes sideways, there may not be an easy solution. It also makes me wish I kept my Honda as a secondary bike, it was bare bones, but never gave me a single issue in 4 years.

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It's probably worth taking a closer look at the kickstand sensor and what satisfies the ECU when properly stored in the UP position; it would be great to have a work around if any of us find ourselves stranded in the middle of no where on a Sunday...

I would imagine the circuit is something simple like an normally OPEN or CLOSED condition; or perhaps there's some resistance that the ECU is looking for?

BeninSC - see if you can get the details of your issue; again, I'm assuming it's the kickstand sensor, perhaps it's something else. See if the dealership will give you the failed part or perhaps the wiring got damaged while you were out on the road. See about taking lots of pictures and or replacement part numbers, all of the above mentioned would be super helpful..
 
D04011 said:
Sorry I can't help with you bike problem but I am in Myrtle Beach and the big MB Bike Week is May 10-19...
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Thank you for correcting me. Its Daytona that's this week. I guess I had MB on my mind. If I still don't have it by May, I'll have a larger issue
 
Scott Semone said:
It's probably worth taking a closer look at the kickstand sensor and what satisfies the ECU when properly stored in the UP position; it would be great to have a work around if any of us find ourselves stranded in the middle of no where on a Sunday...

I would imagine the circuit is something simple like an normally OPEN or CLOSED condition; or perhaps there's some resistance that the ECU is looking for?

BeninSC - see if you can get the details of your issue; again, I'm assuming it's the kickstand sensor, perhaps it's something else. See if the dealership will give you the failed part or perhaps the wiring got damaged while you were out on the road. See about taking lots of pictures and or replacement part numbers, all of the above mentioned would be super helpful..
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Excellent idea. I wasn't able to speak with the service advisor outside of verifying they did get the bike on Tuesday as I was out of town on business. When I texted the advisor on Friday afternoon, they didn't have any additional information.
 
Scott Semone said:
It's probably worth taking a closer look at the kickstand sensor and what satisfies the ECU when properly stored in the UP position; it would be great to have a work around if any of us find ourselves stranded in the middle of no where on a Sunday...

I would imagine the circuit is something simple like an normally OPEN or CLOSED condition; or perhaps there's some resistance that the ECU is looking for?

BeninSC - see if you can get the details of your issue; again, I'm assuming it's the kickstand sensor, perhaps it's something else. See if the dealership will give you the failed part or perhaps the wiring got damaged while you were out on the road. See about taking lots of pictures and or replacement part numbers, all of the above mentioned would be super helpful..
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+1 ... that was the first thing that came to my mind as well.
 
Fwiw.... on my first ride home my bike died and I rolled to a stop.... anyway I reckon my heel had hit the stand rather then the gear lever.... I deducted .... motor in gear, sidestand activated (a bit down) and clutch out = bike off.....

I'D be looking at the stand switch.... been thinking of wiring around mine.... seems a common thing to do. Also.... if really stuck with nothing to loose.... pulling the battery lead for a bit is worth a try.


On a different note.... i have a drum coffee roaster that failed recently.... best world logic said a small cooling fan for the electronics had failed so replace it. After getting access to it I tried to spin it and big spider ran out of it.... so now I approach things with an open mind.
 
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Noelpolar said:
Fwiw.... on my first ride home my bike died and I rolled to a stop.... anyway I reckon my heel had hit the stand rather then the gear lever.... I deducted .... motor in gear, sidestand activated (a bit down) and clutch out = bike off.....

I'D be looking at the stand switch.... been thinking of wiring around mine.... seems a common thing to do. Also.... if really stuck with nothing to loose.... pulling the battery lead for a bit is worth a try.


On a different note.... i have a drum coffee roaster that failed recently.... best world logic said a small cooling fan for the electronics had failed so replace it. After getting access to it I tried to spin it and big spider ran out of it.... so now I approach things with an open mind.
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BeninSC - check for spiders in the kickstand sensor....FYSA - I f$#@ing hate spiders, they total freak me out... I crashed my dad's pickup in the Holland Tunnel because a spider dropped down in front of my face while driving. My ass almost pushed out the rear window, trying to create more distance between me and the Spider... I get the creeps just thinking about spiders..

I wonder if there is a forum for arachnophobia, also looking for a Ford Lightning forum that is as good as this forum community... I want a pickup truck for kayak fishing and thinking of trading in my Tesla for a Lightning...
 
Scott Semone said:
BeninSC - check for spiders in the kickstand sensor....FYSA - I f$#@ing hate spiders, they total freak me out... I crashed my dad's pickup in the Holland Tunnel because a spider dropped down in front of my face while driving. My ass almost pushed out the rear window, trying to create more distance between me and the Spider... I get the creeps just thinking about spiders..

I wonder if there is a forum for arachnophobia, also looking for a Ford Lightning forum that is as good as this forum community... I want a pickup truck for kayak fishing and thinking of trading in my Tesla for a Lightning...
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I share the spider situation with you
 
BeninSC said:
2023 BMW R18B here. I was out riding last weekend when I had a strange issue come up. I'd been riding straight for about 2 hrs when I pulled over to run into a store to pick up some items. I put the bike in 1st gear (on a slight incline) and turned off the bike. When I returned to the bike, I powered up, put the bike in neutral, lifted the kickstand, and started the bike. It acted normal and gave no sign of trouble. However, when I would put in gear, it immediately turned off. I tried it 3 times before I put back down the kickstand and got off the bike and started looking for any issue that could create the problem. Nothing appeared to be out of order. I got back on the bike raised and lowered the kickstand a few times thinking there could be an issue with the sensor that tells the bike the kickstand is down. I powered back up and this time I got a warning on the screen. "Fault in the engine control. Onward journey possible. Ride carefully to next specialist workshop." Unfortunately, that wasn't exactly true, as I wasn't able to get into gear without the engine turning back off.

I called the Dealer where I purchased the bike and told them what was going on and asked if there was a "limp mode" that would bypass the sensor and allow me to get the bike home. There's not as the kickstand issue is a safety feature and can't be disabled. I called roadside assistance but they couldn't locate an acceptable towing company as it was a Saturday, and apparently their approved vendors only work Monday through Friday. Long story shorter, after multiple conversations with the mgr of the business I was broken down at, I was told it would be ok to leave the bike overnight, but would need to have it removed by the end of day the next day or they would have it towed. Ended up having it towed 90 miles to the dealer on my own. Hopefully, BMW will reimburse me as they couldn't locate a towing service but I could.

As of this past Tuesday, (Dealer is only open Tuesday through Saturday) it's been at my dealership with no word as to what the issue could be. I was hoping to have it back sooner than later as I had planned to go to Bike Week in Myrtle Beach for the first time this upcoming week. Here's to it being a simple issue and unlikely to happen again, at least that's my prayer.

Just wondering if anyone has come across this issue before. Unfortunately, this has made me think twice about all the electronics and cool features of this bike. When something goes sideways, there may not be an easy solution. It also makes me wish I kept my Honda as a secondary bike, it was bare bones, but never gave me a single issue in 4 years.

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Update:
Thankfully, I've been able to pickup the bike from the dealer and found out what the culprit was. The sensor wire plugs in just under the back side of kickstand and apparently wasn't fully clipped in, The tech theorized it came from the factory a little loose and worked its way out enough to trigger the engine fault, but not enough to catch my attention during my visual inspection in the parking lot. We've had nonstop rain since I've picked it up, but when I get opportunity, I'll post pictures of the offending sensor and its location. Thank the lord it wasn't some exotic issue or spiders...can't stand 'em either. Left my jacket in the garage once for a week, hanging off the side of my workbench. When I went to put it on, noticed a small spiders web in the arm pit...convinced me never to leave my jacket, helmet or gloves in the garage again.
 
I finished adjusting my handlebars slightly forward today, afterwards; I took a closer look at the kickstand sensor and the associated wiring.

To my surprise, I can easily see how someone might be able to foul the connector with their foot while using the toe shifter; it is surprisingly exposed just beyond the toe shifter under the left cylinder.

I didn't start to sort out what makes the sensor or the wiring tick in order to shutdown the bike when the kickstand is out and the bike is put into gear; it's too cold today to start the engine and let all that moisture buildup within my exhaust system, I'll toy with this during the Spring-Summer months and come up with a solution to keep on the bike in case the sensor should ever fail while out riding.
 
Hi, yes yesterday I received the same message and same circumstances are happening with me. Are in position to share the photos for the sensors in order O can check mine.

Thanks
 
The kickstand on my former R1200C was acting up, so I traced the switch wires up through the engine and out the left side. There were 3 wires. I guessed wrong the first time, made the right connection the second time thus bypassing the kickstand switch. Since I had a lift for that bike, I removed the switch and put it in a round file.
 
I started to look at the kickstand sensor; the connector has three (3) PINs, it looks like in a pinch - you could jump PINs 2 & 3 to get around a faulty kickstand switch.

With the kickstand Up, PINs 2 & 3 are Normally Closed (N/C), and PINs 1 & 3 are Normally Open (N/O)

It looks like PIN 3 is common

The below diagram is looking into the connector, once removed from the kickstand switch:

Screenshot_20240408-185333.png
 
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Had a similar problem on a KLR. If you helped the kickstand up till it stopped, it would occasionally die when I put it in gear. But if I just kicked it up with my heel, it would never happen.
 
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