Shifting problem - SE6 won't select N without using R button! Ideas?

[GaryBlevins]

Hi Folks,
I hope someone can help with a shifting problem that has developed. I have a 2018 Spyder RT LTD, SE6 version. Just recently I am not able to shift into reverse from neutral. When I start the machine it goes into neutral and I can shift to 1 and then up to 6 as I ride. No problems upshifting or riding. However. When I stop I cannot shift from 1 into Neutral or Reverse. I am using the R button on top when trying to go into reverse. It will not shift to N from 1 without the R button being pushed either. I am thinking that it is the Multi-Function switch or the Reverse actuator. Any way for a layman to trouble shoot to see what might be going on? Isn't there supposed to be an LED light on the top of the Reverse button to show when you hit it? I do not see a light coming on.

I have checked the fluid level, it looks ok.

Thanks,
Semper Fi
Gary Blevins

[Joel The Biker]

There is no light on the R button. Press and hold the R button, then press the downshift paddle. If that doesnt work, are you able to downshift manually when riding? If not, then your paddle shifter is most likely bad and requres repacement of the left hand comtrols.

[BertRemington]

When I start the machine it goes into neutral

Do you leave the transmission in gear when you turn off the ignition?

When I stop I cannot shift from 1 into Neutral or Reverse.

This is the new symptom -- correct?

If you are pushing the shift paddle without any change in the console display (N or R), the left hand control is probably the problem. There's a good possibility cleaning will fix the problem but I have no experience with that.

If you are pushing the shift paddle and are hearing noise from the gearbox solenoids, then a linkage adjustment or lubrication may be needed.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

There is no light on the R button. Press and hold the R button, then press the downshift paddle. If that doesnt work, are you able to downshift manually when riding? If not, then your paddle shifter is most likely bad and requres repacement of the left hand comtrols.

.... The "R" button must be depressed and held down then use the down paddle ..... use two hands to do this ..... Mike

[canamjhb]

And, make sure you are putting your foot on the brake. If memory is correct, the brakes need to be on before the bike will go to reverse. A good cleaning of the micro-switches involved should help too. Good luck...... Jim

[EdMat]

And, make sure you are putting your foot on the brake. If memory is correct, the brakes need to be on before the bike will go to reverse. A good cleaning of the micro-switches involved should help too. Good luck...... Jim

For some strange reason BRP made sure that going from neutral to first required the use of the brake pedal. Going from first or neutral into reverse does not, only that the Spyder not be moving.

[Little Blue]

Welcome to the Spyder Forum.
Need a little more information about your Spyder problem.
First off, have you tried the tips that have been presented.
Did anything change for you?
Is this something new or has this been happening off and on?
Please Help us out so someone can help you with this issue. .......

[ottawa-rider]

Have you tried manually downshifting while riding and did it work.

There was a service bulletin in 2018-2019 about the shifting paddle going bad on the 2018's and it had to be replaced, that problem mostly affected downshifting. Sorry for the poor quality of the poster.

[GaryBlevins]

Thanks for the help. I am applying the brake when I try to shift into R. I am pushing the R button and using the downshift paddle, but it is not shifting into R. This is a new problem. I have not tried to manually downshift, but I will give it a try today.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Do you have any extended warranty left? If so, have the dealer replace the left hand switch module. If you're not aware, the shift signal from the switch to the transmission control module is a digital signal. The left hand module is a processor connected to the Canbus so most likely it is not sending the proper signal. The switches on the printed circuit board are bubble switches which means they are very difficult, if not impossible, to fix.

[woods]

18s had a switch problem as ottawa said. Mine needed replacing after 1000mi. As stated if you can't downshift manually at all it's the whole left assmbly.

[GaryBlevins]

Thanks for your help. I just dropped it off at my dealer. They are closed today, so I will not have word from them till Tues. or Wed. I was able to drive over fine, it would manually upshift and auto downshift, but it will not manually downshift. As several folks have suggested I am pretty sure that it is the left Multi-Function switch. It is out of warranty, but if it is a known defect is there a chance that Can-Am/BRP would replace the switch for me?

[fatboy]

there was a service bulletin so the should take care of it

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Thanks for your help. I just dropped it off at my dealer. They are closed today, so I will not have word from them till Tues. or Wed. I was able to drive over fine, it would manually upshift and auto downshift, but it will not manually downshift. As several folks have suggested I am pretty sure that it is the left Multi-Function switch. It is out of warranty, but if it is a known defect is there a chance that Can-Am/BRP would replace the switch for me?

The next question will be is there one in stock anywhere? You may end up going to eBay or a motorcycle salvage yard to find one.

[gkamer]

Hi Folks,
I hope someone can help with a shifting problem that has developed. I have a 2018 Spyder RT LTD, SE6 version. Just recently I am not able to shift into reverse from neutral. When I start the machine it goes into neutral and I can shift to 1 and then up to 6 as I ride. No problems upshifting or riding. However. When I stop I cannot shift from 1 into Neutral or Reverse. I am using the R button on top when trying to go into reverse. It will not shift to N from 1 without the R button being pushed either. I am thinking that it is the Multi-Function switch or the Reverse actuator. Any way for a layman to trouble shoot to see what might be going on? Isn't there supposed to be an LED light on the top of the Reverse button to show when you hit it? I do not see a light coming on.

I have checked the fluid level, it looks ok.

Thanks,
Semper Fi
Gary Blevins

The good news, if you can call it that, is you’re not alone. I am having the exact same problem. Bike will not shift into Reverse. Bike will not shift into Neutral unless I turn the engine off and restart it. Bike will not allow me to manually downshift, though it does automatically downshift on its own. The problem was traced to a faulty Left Hand Switch Cluster.

Replacement was covered under my warranty, so there is not going to be any out of pocket expense for me. Now for the bad news. According to my dealership, that particular part is on back order, and BRP was not expecting to “release it” (whatever that means) until July. I’ve been waiting on this part since the 19th of Oct, 2021. My guess is it’s sitting on a container ship someplace god only knows where. It might even have been held up by the “Freedom Truckers” up on the Canadian border, I don’t know. The dealership told me those electrical components come out of Asia. I talked with the dealership last month and they said it was not expected to be released by BRP until July. I don’t think it is something you can just take apart, clean and put back together again. I called a number of dealerships in Washington, and after checking their computers, they all told me the same thing, out of stock and not expected to be released by BRP until July.

Hopefully your dealership has one on a shelf in the back room someplace.

[BertRemington]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/36327168902...gAAOSwvd1gD2hT
Left hand switch.jpg

https://www.ebay.com/itm/13401088670...IAAOSwm7Jh-B0k
Left hand switch.jpg

[gkamer]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/36327168902...gAAOSwvd1gD2hT
Left hand switch.jpg

This one looks like the right one. My concern is if it's DOA or not the right one, the seller does not accept returns.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

The part # for this one matches the part # for the 2018 & 2019 F3. Whether it will work on the RT I don't know. The RT part # is 710006574.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/36327168902...gAAOSwvd1gD2hT
Left hand switch.jpg

This is for older Spyders so no, it's not the right one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/13401088670...IAAOSwm7Jh-B0k
Left hand switch.jpg

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Here's a little bit clearer copy of the warranty bulletin I happened to come across. I can email you the PDF if you want.

2018 LH switch bulletin pg 1..jpg

2018 LH switch bulletin pg 2.jpg

[Little Blue]

Here's a little bit clearer copy of the warranty bulletin I happened to come across. I can email you the PDF if you want.

2018 LH switch bulletin pg 1..jpg

2018 LH switch bulletin pg 2.jpg

Just noticed that the Warranty Bulletin has already Expired. It shows the date of 7/31/2020. Not sure if BRP will make it happen for you.

[Little Blue]

Thanks for your help. I just dropped it off at my dealer. They are closed today, so I will not have word from them till Tues. or Wed. I was able to drive over fine, it would manually upshift and auto downshift, but it will not manually downshift. As several folks have suggested I am pretty sure that it is the left Multi-Function switch. It is out of warranty, but if it is a known defect is there a chance that Can-Am/BRP would replace the switch for me?

See Post Number 20.

[gkamer]

The part # for this one matches the part # for the 2018 & 2019 F3. Whether it will work on the RT I don't know. The RT part # is 710006574.



This is for older Spyders so no, it's not the right one.

Your right, I just noticed that. Since they have different part numbers I'm guessing they are not compatible.

[GaryBlevins]

Just talked to the dealer, they first said 4-5 days for the part now they are saying back ordered till July also. Guess I will get it back from them and try to ride it w/o reverse until July.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Deleted because of incorrect info.

[gkamer]

Just talked to the dealer, they first said 4-5 days for the part now they are saying back ordered till July also. Guess I will get it back from them and try to ride it w/o reverse until July.

Yup, that's the same thing I'm being told. Back in Oct it was 8-10 days. Then it was early Dec. then Jan, then June, now July. I plan to go get mine here in the next week or so. I didn't mind it sitting at the dealership over the winter, but July is like half the riding season gone already. And what happens in July when they say Sept or Oct? I'll just have to be sure not to park anyplace that requires me to back up.