Engine warning on clutch pull

[FatherTed]

This just started recently - on a Yamaha MT07.

When cold and I move off, as soon as I pull the clutch in to change to second the entire bike cuts out, engine lights etc. When I release the clutch it (sometimes) comes back on and starts to fire up, but not always successful. It's as if the ignition key was turned off when the clutch was pulled!

I have also noticed that sometimes when I pull the clutch in the engine warning light (small yellow one) comes on and goes off again when I let the clutch out.

It is very intermittent and doesn't always happen. Seems to happen about once or twice a week now. But very scary on a dark country road!
The bike is an MT07.

Any idea what to start looking for?
The only electrical contact on the clutch is the cut off connector?

Any ideas?

[DavyH]

Originally Posted by FatherTed

This just started recently - on a Yamaha MT07.

When cold and I move off, as soon as I pull the clutch in to change to second the entire bike cuts out, engine lights etc. When I release the clutch it (sometimes) comes back on and starts to fire up, but not always successful. It's as if the ignition key was turned off when the clutch was pulled!

I have also noticed that sometimes when I pull the clutch in the engine warning light (small yellow one) comes on and goes off again when I let the clutch out.

It is very intermittent and doesn't always happen. Seems to happen about once or twice a week now. But very scary on a dark country road!
The bike is an MT07.

Any idea what to start looking for?
The only electrical contact on the clutch is the cut off connector?

Any ideas?

So the clutch switch is doing 2 things,it’s a safety switch and also it communicates with the ecu for fueling purposes. Have a look at the external contacts for the switch firstly,they’re pretty exposed to the elements. Failing that you could open the switch but probably best just to replace it.
Without plugging it in I’m guessing here....but it would explain the 2 symptoms. Ideally you should get it plugged it an see what it throws up

[Frankkilty]

Could it also be the gear position sensor?

[FatherTed]

Originally Posted by DavyH

So the clutch switch is doing 2 things,it’s a safety switch and also it communicates with the ecu for fueling purposes. Have a look at the external contacts for the switch firstly,they’re pretty exposed to the elements. Failing that you could open the switch but probably best just to replace it.
Without plugging it in I’m guessing here....but it would explain the 2 symptoms. Ideally you should get it plugged it an see what it throws up

Would I have to do that at a specialist or would most garages be able to do that?

[DavyH]

Originally Posted by Frankkilty

Could it also be the gear position sensor?

It could,or even the side stand switch....

[DavyH]

Originally Posted by FatherTed

Would I have to do that at a specialist or would most garages be able to do that?

Anywhere that has even basic Yamaha diagnostics should be able to read it

[FatherTed]

Originally Posted by Frankkilty

Could it also be the gear position sensor?

Would that cause the entire bike to shut down?

[DavyH]

Originally Posted by FatherTed

Would that cause the entire bike to shut down?

When you say the entire bike,do the instruments stay on? Or is it just stalling out,the headlight will go off if it stalls too

[FatherTed]

Originally Posted by DavyH

When you say the entire bike,do the instruments stay on? Or is it just stalling out,the headlight will go off if it stalls too

Everything off...engine, headlight, dashboard. As soon as I release the cluthch it all comes back on. Like turning the ignition key off when the clutch is pulled in. And only when changing gear. Clutching in when at rest is ok, apart from the engine warning light coming on when the lever is pulled.
Very bizarre.

[DavyH]

Originally Posted by FatherTed

Everything off...engine, headlight, dashboard. As soon as I release the cluthch it all comes back on. Like turning the ignition key off when the clutch is pulled in. And only when changing gear. Clutching in when at rest is ok, apart from the engine warning light coming on when the lever is pulled.
Very bizarre.

That is bizarre...all signs would point to the clutch switch/safety circuit if it was a simple stall,however complete loss of power is pointing elsewhere,there are so many systems interlocking one way or another that it’s going to come down to something very simple. Seeing as the clutch switch is looking like the catalyst I’d say that would be a starting point. I’ll have a scout through the wiring diagrams on Saturday if you’re still stuck and give you a bit of direction

[FatherTed]

Originally Posted by DavyH

That is bizarre...all signs would point to the clutch switch/safety circuit if it was a simple stall,however complete loss of power is pointing elsewhere,there are so many systems interlocking one way or another that it’s going to come down to something very simple. Seeing as the clutch switch is looking like the catalyst I’d say that would be a starting point. I’ll have a scout through the wiring diagrams on Saturday if you’re still stuck and give you a bit of direction

Cheers for that!

[the landshark]

first thing i'd be checking is the integrity of the earthing points.

[nednedned]

May not be related. Have a read of his comments. one mentions a mt-07. goto abt 6.30

https://www.fz07oc.com/forums/fz-07-...ems-issues.14/

[chopper]

I'm kinda hectic here at the mo . I'll get back to ya later . Think I've fixed this same prob before

[chopper]

Maybe ring me

[FatherTed]

Originally Posted by nednedned

May not be related. Have a read of his comments. one mentions a mt-07. goto abt 6.30

https://www.fz07oc.com/forums/fz-07-...ems-issues.14/

That is the EXACT same issue! Great find dude.
Turns out the cold weather was causing the starter to become "stuck" and not returning to its start position. I also noticed the "autostart" feature and thought it was a cool feature of that bike.

Thanks a million for the find.

[AndyK]

That happened to mine as well.

From what I understand the original spring that returns the switch to its idle position is really weak and when any dirt etc gets in there (with our weather it's pretty much a given that dirt will get in) it simply cant push it back up from the starter position, so if you don't notice it you end up driving around with the starter on.

Give it a quick google search, it seems to be a common problem. Yam decided to reinvent the wheel for no good reason and did a shitty job of it. The design is apparently also being brought to other models too (hopefully with a better spring).

Thankfully I heard the noise difference when it happened first, then just got used to manually moving it back when starting the bike. Eventually got it fixed under warranty, hasn't happened again since. Some other guy they had to fix it for wasn't so lucky, he never noticed it was stuck on. I'd say the only reason I heard it was because I still have the wimpy quiet stock exhaust.

[FatherTed]

Originally Posted by AndyK

That happened to mine as well.

From what I understand the original spring that returns the switch to its idle position is really weak and when any dirt etc gets in there (with our weather it's pretty much a given that dirt will get in) it simply cant push it back up from the starter position, so if you don't notice it you end up driving around with the starter on.

Give it a quick google search, it seems to be a common problem. Yam decided to reinvent the wheel for no good reason and did a shitty job of it. The design is apparently also being brought to other models too (hopefully with a better spring).

Thankfully I heard the noise difference when it happened first, then just got used to manually moving it back when starting the bike. Eventually got it fixed under warranty, hasn't happened again since. Some other guy they had to fix it for wasn't so lucky, he never noticed it was stuck on. I'd say the only reason I heard it was because I still have the wimpy quiet stock exhaust.

I agree, it is a totally useless design. Why change it and introduce these kind of issues?
Have you ever tried removing it and cleaning it? Is it an easy task?

[AndyK]

The only cleaning I tried was spraying a bit of contact cleaner in followed by some rummaging from a long soft bristle paintbrush - which helped, but after a dozen trips in crappy weather the problem reappeared. I'd say the cleaner probably got rid of some needed lube as well as the dirt so not a permanent fix.

I never went through taking it apart as it was covered by warranty so no need, just brought it in to be fixed (along with a stubborn gear changing problem which persists, budget parts me thinks)

I did find a thread when I first looked into it of a guy who opened it up to upgrade the spring.

https://fz07.org/thread/5810/fix-sticky-starter-switch/

Read the whole thread. One of the posts has pictures. One guy broke something. Seems it's easy enough to fix, just need to be careful - small parts that can be easily dropped or broken. You'll need a get and possibly cut a new spring for it too, Radionics might have something suitable.

[DavyH]

Actually had a similar issue with an mt09...far as I remember bike still ran but starter stuck on...same switch. Was replaced under warranty. In saying that there has been heaps of them through the doors and mt07’s and that’s the only one I recall failing. The switch on the the Fjr is a much more stout unit,would be a better job if it could be retrofitted