New shifting problem 2012 RTL SE5 - won't shift at all & stuck in 3rd - any thoughts/ideas that might help?

[pegasus1300]

So after fixing the the shift shaft problem and the starter problem, the Spyder ran great for a short time. It has now developed a new shifting problem. It won't shift at all. It is stuck in 3rd gear. It will not even go into Neutral upon shut down and restart. I found an independent shop that will work on it, but he has not found the problem yet. He has determined it is not the left hand module. It is not the shift lever sliding on the shaft as before, this is new. Any thoughts I can pass along to Rusty the mechanic?

 

[Mikey]

Will it shift by hand?? Are the connections to the solenoid clean and tight? Have you ever had any issues with the hand control?

 

[mecsw500]

Perhaps problems with a solenoid itself? If it didn't make horrible noises I suspect it's not a mechanical failure within the transmission itself.

Perhaps it is a sensor with the clutch not letting the clutch disengage or recognizing the clutch has disengaged so the transmission doesn't know it can shift?

It might be worth taking a multimeter to the sensors for the clutch position or the solenoids themselves. The only thing with the solenoid is it would probably have to be one mechanically jammed, otherwise turning the bike on and off again should otherwise get the solenoid to withdraw, but who knows?

I would start with electrical rather than mechanical checks if it didn't make some catastrophic noise before it stuck in third.

I don't know if any of that helps at all?

 

[Snowbelt Spyder]

So after fixing the the shift shaft problem and the starter problem, the Spyder ran great for a short time. It has now developed a new shifting problem. It won't shift at all. It is stuck in 3rd gear. It will not even go into Neutral upon shut down and restart. I found an independent shop that will work on it, but he has not found the problem yet. He has determined it is not the left hand module. It is not the shift lever sliding on the shaft as before, this is new. Any thoughts I can pass along to Rusty the mechanic?

Geez. Knowing the nature of your past work, I have an ill feeling. But first, you know the drill. The first thing to check when an SE5 doesn't shift is oil level in the tank. Plus, I trust that you have verified it is ACTUALLY in gear and this isn't an indication problem. Easy enough to do. Start it up, give it some throttle and see if it tries to move.

So, the left hand switch sends an electronic shift command signal to the HCM via the TCM. It is processed into a hydraulic signal and moves the shift rod back and forth, moving that pesky shift arm back and forth to shift the gearbox. An automatic downshift signal originates in the Transmission Control Module (TCM), independent of the left hand switch, to do the same thing. A quick Go/No Go check. Have Rusty get down on the floor on the left side and watch the shift rod and the shift arm. You put your foot on the brake and start up the machine. If the shift rod and the shift arm moves normally, meaning the the HCM is trying to shift to neutral - I believe it tries 3 times - then the problem may lie at the other end of the shaft that you just replaced. Sorry. If it doesn't try to shift at all, then the issue is localized to the TCM and HCM area. Maybe an oil filter collapsed or installed backwards, or other failure. Check fuses and codes.

Back to Mikey's thought. If you guys see that the HCM is trying to shift it normally, but the gearbox isn't shifting, then get your 13mm wrench. Put it on the back side of the shifter arm where the wrench flats are. Bet you forgot about that trick. Use the wrench and try to shift the gearbox with the wrench. Pretend the wrench is a foot shifter. That’s what you’re doing. Upshift and down shift. You may have to rock the machine back a forth a bit, and disconnect the rod if you want. Don't do it with the engine running, but you can have the key on. If the gearbox still won't shift with the wrench, and you'll be able to feel and hear it sound like a regular motorcycle gearbox or not, then I'm afraid you're tearing apart the other side again, to look at the shift pawl and the index star wheel to find out why the shift drum isn't turning.

Is this enough homework for you? Actually, it won’t take but a few minutes. Keep us posted.

 

[pegasus1300]

Actually, I did remember about the 13mm trick. I got it from 3rd gear to 2nd gear, but no more. At least in 2nd, the Spyder will move. The HCM is trying to move the shift lever, but it only twitches a little and does nothing.
As to the oil filters, I haven't checked them as it has been shifting fine, then just stopped. Also, it had good pressure, at least according to the light and there being no bad noises from the motor or trans. All the filters came from BajaRon. I too fear that we may have to go into the clutch side and look at the shaft again. As soon as Rusty gives me more info, I'll let you all know.

 

[Snowbelt Spyder]

Actually, I did remember about the 13mm trick. I got it from 3rd gear to 2nd gear, but no more. At least in 2nd, the Spyder will move. The HCM is trying to move the shift lever, but it only twitches a little and does nothing.
As to the oil filters, I haven't checked them as it has been shifting fine, then just stopped. Also, it had good pressure, at least according to the light and there being no bad noises from the motor or trans. All the filters came from BajaRon. I too fear that we may have to go into the clutch side and look at the shaft again. As soon as Rusty gives me more info, I'll let you all know.

It does take some elbow grease to shift that with the wrench. Especially, if the rod is still attached to the shift arm, and it’s a short wrench. A lot of drag from the hydraulic piston. So, if you disconnect that, helps to have two people so you can rock the bike back and forth, give the wrench a good push and pull. If you can run it through all the gears, then focus on the hydraulics. By the way, when you installed the shift arm onto the splined shaft, you did line up the punched dot to the slot, right?

 

[pegasus1300]

. By the way, when you installed the shift arm onto the splined shaft, you did line up the punched dot to the slot, right?

, When I went to pick it up from the dealer the service writer brings it out and tells me oh BTW it wont shift. The mechanic thinks there is a problem inside the transmission and wants to pull the engine and take the engine apart. I was so mad I just took the Spyder and went home. Upon getting home I looked at the lever and saw it was 45° out of phase. After setting it right it shifted fine until now.