Triumphrat

tbspete · 11-14-2009, 09:02 AM

Hi guys,

My Thunderbird sport had the temp light flashing on and off so I took it back to the shop (as I'd only just bought it) and they replaced the wiring loom... as they did this they found the throttle cable had some how been glued in?!

So they replaced this.....

Now usually.... when you start your Triumph you have to pull the clutch in?

I went to ride the bike today... pulled the clutch in to start and got nothing... spent 45mins thinking the battery was dead and checking other things when I accidently pressed the starter (without the clutch) and it fired right up.

My question:

Anyone ever had this before?

Is there a switch or some cables that could be the wrong way around? (It was raining so I didnt check this far)

I wouldnt worry about it if I could start it with the clutch in aswell but I pull it in and hit the button and nothing happens.

Any thoughts please?

IrlMike · 11-14-2009, 11:01 AM

There's a clutch switch interlock which operates with the neutral switch also. As they've been at the wiring I suppose it's possibly related, but can't think how the connections could be reversed, off the cuff..

The clutch switches can & do fail, with strange behaviour the result...something similar happened to me, engine would cut out pulling clutch in. Note there's both a starter cct inhibit & an Igniter inhibit too. You really a wiring diag. to trace things thru' - as in the Haynes manual, well worth it if you don't have one.

Ah..see my post here for a Wiring Diagram I posted earlier:

http://www.triumphrat.net/maintenanc...-h-switch.html

pathunderbird · 11-14-2009, 11:42 AM

Since the Issue is directly related to problems the bike had before your bought it,
take it back to the dealer and let them fix it. It is possible to instal a problem when trying
to fix another.

Best Regards

tbspete · 11-14-2009, 11:57 AM

Thanks for the diagram Mike, I will get myself a haynes manual.. have been meaning to since I bought it.

I have to ride the bike 50 miles to the shop (which I've done 4 times now, in the wet) for them to have a look at it.. I just thought it would be easier to see if it was a simple fix. Its not beyond my ability either its just having the time.

NeilD · 11-14-2009, 01:18 PM

one thing I had with mine was the starter button itself... sometimes if I didnt hit it in the right place, nothing happened... took it out and cleaned it up and no probs since..

Slinky · 11-14-2009, 01:20 PM

My bike occasionally does the same thing when the clutch switch gets cranky.

Clutch in = no start
Clutch out and it starts.

On the couple of times it has happened a shot of WD40 has cured it, so I expect it is damp in the switch that causes the problem.

tbspete · 11-14-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slinky

On the couple of times it has happened a shot of WD40 has cured it, so I expect it is damp in the switch that causes the problem.

Now this could be a winner.. as I had to ride it home in the pi**ing rain, it was horrible. Will give that a try while checking the wiring.

tbspete · 11-15-2009, 01:09 PM

It now starts either way! Have given it some WD40 so we will see. I'm off to Scotland till wednesday so it has a few days to set in.

Slinky · 11-15-2009, 01:19 PM

Good luck with that, you are bound to encounter plenty of rain in Scotchland.