Bike won’t crank with kickstand up and clutch pulled in

[strawbobrob]

Working on my 01 Interstate today, trying to chase away the ghouls in the wiring, and could use some knowledgeable advice.

Great bike, everything always works.  A few months ago, the bike started refusing to crank when I’m on it with the kickstand up, in first gear with the clutch pulled in.

I thought the issue would be a bad clutch switch or a bad kickstand switch, but I’ve check both and they’re fine.  It starts fine in neutral with or without the clutch pulled in.
Is there a known issue with this?  Thoughts, suggestions?

PS Idk if this is relevant, but for a long time I had to move my handlebars lock to lock before it would crank with the starter button. Also, I went down on the freeway and the bike was totaled. Big Mac and I had to rebuild it, but the wiring seemed fine at the time.  Thanks, Rob

[da prez]

Under the fairing , right side is a 9 (?) pin plug.  Kind of hard to explain exact location, Remove lower cover. Plug is white. (old age may have it dis-colored it) The last on I did , unplug and plug back in. If it  works ,unplug , clean and I use silicone dia-electric (someone will challenge this item) . I chased this issue for about three hours.  Good luck ,let us know.

                                                    da prez
                                           

                                                     

[WintrSol]

FWIW, clean the actual contacts with contact cleaner, or CorrosionX, then seal the connector with the silicone grease, but don't coat the contacts with the grease, just apply it so it keeps water out. CorrosionX will likely make the grease unnecessary, but I don't have enough experience with it to confirm that.

BTW, does the stand down light show the stand switch working properly? The switch itself could be sticking; clean and lube it.

[strawbobrob]

(Running to the garage to try out these recommendations). Thanks very much.  I will give that a whirl. When i checked my sidestand switch i did take the opportunity to clean and lube it.  Why is it that every time I take the time for things like that it makes me happy.

[strawbobrob]

So I removed The lower right panel, and I found two 9 pin connectors. One red and one black. I opened and cleaned them and reconnected them but still no dice. I will start on fuses next in case that’s the issue. With regard to a kickstand down light, I do have one on my Valkyrie standard inside the tachometer, but I do not see one anywhere on my interstate. Is there one? If you know where it is let me know and thanks again.
Strawbob

[WintrSol]

You are correct about the SS light; I just read the schematic for the Interstate, and it doesn't have the third wire from the switch to the dash. Using the light as confirmation isn't ideal for the C or CT either, since it isn't the actual switch output used for control.

Best you can do is open the 2P connector and check it with a continuity tester or Ohmmeter, while exercising the switch. Not great, given its location.

[strawbobrob]

Thanks for that.  I went ahead with your suggestion and eliminated the side stand switch as a suspect. I found the problem.  It was the clutch switch.  The clutch switch was the first thing I checked, and it was fine.  I was thorough, so I removed the switch to check it, and that was my mistake.  The switch itself is fine, but when I checked continuity again, this time leaving the switch in place and using the clutch handle to actuate it, I got no continuity between the connectors. I’m guessing after 156k the switch nub has worn down so far the handle can’t activate the switch. Crazy.  Anyway thanks all.

[Valker]

And the brass bushing has been known to get worn enough to prevent the lever from triggering the clutch switch.

[klb]

And the brass bushing has been known to get worn enough to prevent the lever from triggering the clutch switch.

Had to replace that brass bushing on both of mine. Amazing that the exact same part from Suzuki is about half the price as the one from Honda.