Intermittent Starting 1050r

Discussion in 'Speed Triple' started by Cole, Aug 17, 2021.

  1. Cole

    Cole New Member

    Apr 21, 2016
    0
    1
    Isle of Wight
    hi... this is my first post even though i have been a member for over 5 years :blush:...
    i have a beautiful yellow and black 2015 speed triple 1050r same as wasp's i think...her name is rumble bee :grinning:.. every now and then she just will not start.. turn the key lights come on every thing primes up push the button and nothing.. sometimes if you keep button pressed in for a few seconds she will start up.. sometimes you can keep the button pressed for ages and nothing.. usually if i take key out and back in again she will start..i have replaced battery and have taken clutch safety switch out completely but still have the same outcome ..please help... just to say she always starts eventually , thank you for looking...
     
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  2. Abirnie

    Abirnie Well-Known Member

    Oct 31, 2020
    155
    93
    Ontario, Canada
    Sounds like a loose or bad battery cable connection. Start at the battery, then at the starter and the main ground connections at the engine block. Use some maintenance spray such as Truck-lite on all battery cable connections to minimize corrosion. Replace the starter relay for good measure maybe also.
     
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  3. Col_C

    Col_C I can't re...Member

    Aug 5, 2015
    1,431
    800
    Cornwall
    All the above is good advice.
    When you check the start button, check and clean the kill switch too.
    Have you checked the voltage on your new battery just in case you have a dud, the ecu is designed to inhibit starting if the voltage is too low which I believe is done to avoid problems with the starter sprag clutch (that was not uncommon on earlier Triumphs).
    You say it starts if you remove the key and replace, so this might point towards a problem with the ignition switch or wiring to it. There have been a few cases of broken wires around the headstock (which are sods to find), check for tight cables and if moving handlebar to a different position has any effect.
    Also my 2015 has factory immobiliser which reads a chip in the key so I'm guessing yours does too (it's a module fixed to the airbox near the seat), try your second key to see if that makes a difference. There's a short cable from the bottom of the ignition switch assembly to the top which I expect feeds a pickup coil at the top, check that is undamaged.

    So many things it could be, Have fun! :)
    And don't forget to let us know what it was when you've cracked it.
     
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  4. joe mc donald

    Subscriber

    Dec 26, 2014
    14,596
    1,000
    slough / burnham
    Cole
    Yes you have all the good answers here already. That starter button can corrode and cause problems. And really if you miss the start you should let the button go as holding it in that position can also over heat things and damage the connectors on the switch. Let us know how you get on please.
    Joe
     
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  5. Alan Gilbert

    Alan Gilbert Senior Member

    Nov 22, 2018
    302
    113
    UK
    If you have disconnected the clutch switch, make sure to clean it but above all, do not leave it disconnected or bypass it as it has other functions beyond a mere safety cutout. I believe it also plays a role in updating the sensor data for the fuel tank etc.
    As others have said - dismantle and clean the starter button and kill switch - very likely to be the source of your problem!
     
  6. Bolosun

    Bolosun Well-Known Member

    Aug 25, 2020
    244
    93
    Crewe/Cheshire
    Mine does exactly the same. I will replace the battery as it is over 5 years old and the bike can labour sometimes when starting. I'll keep trying to find the problem, and if I do I'll pass it on.
     
  7. 03_triple

    03_triple Member

    Dec 8, 2022
    34
    18
    belgium
    Reaction to an old topic but anyway: Same here (2016 R). An old battery doesn't help of course: it seems like the safety cutout does work! But that is not the cause.
    I have to open the starter/killswitch up every 6 months, clean the contacts as far as possible (they never look dirty/corroded or something) and soak it in contactspray. Will work for another 3-6 months and repeat the above.
    Could my starter/killswitch be a improbable failure and will be solved if exchanged for a new one?
    It is a bit annoying to be honest.
     
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  8. glenn smith

    glenn smith Member

    Dec 13, 2024
    22
    8
    CALIFORNIA
    #8 glenn smith, Jan 28, 2025
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2025
    When it will not start pull the rubber boot on the clutch switch and see if there is 12v at the terminals...if not it could be the ems main relay under the seat
     
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  9. glenn smith

    glenn smith Member

    Dec 13, 2024
    22
    8
    CALIFORNIA
    #9 glenn smith, Feb 3, 2025
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2025
    Funny thing is after three weeks of ownership i have the same problem, did it twice... i was stopping to make adjustments to suspension..turned of at ign switch, few minutes later turned key on all dash lights came on, pushed button ..nothing.. key off key on it started...second time five minutes away...same thing exept only the green icon on the dash nothing else... key on and off three ..then it started...got home tried twenty times to start all ok?...i suspect the imobilizer or
     
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  10. glenn smith

    glenn smith Member

    Dec 13, 2024
    22
    8
    CALIFORNIA
    It did this when i first got the R..after disconnecting battery.. last owner said it was no trouble past three years of ownership :neutral:
    At that time i pulled the rubber boot off the clutch switch to check.. zero voltage..it was dead.... then came back to life..three weeks later duh again
     
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  11. TRIPLE X

    TRIPLE X Senior Member

    Sep 1, 2021
    393
    113
    Downham Market, Norfolk
    #11 TRIPLE X, Feb 4, 2025
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2025
    The battery terminals need to be nice and tight. Nip them up with a spanner (wrench) rather than a screwdriver but don't overdo it and strip the threads. Never figured out why this is when they appear to be tight, but tightening them a tad more has solved issues for me in the past.
     
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  12. glenn smith

    glenn smith Member

    Dec 13, 2024
    22
    8
    CALIFORNIA
    #12 glenn smith, Feb 4, 2025
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2025
    Battery all connections tight...
    I did a search and found other owners with the same problem..i read this...
    Triumph admitted they are aware that sometimes the immobilizer and and ECU have a communication problem..
    key 1 has to be re learned..
    I contacted the dealer waiting for cost on the key and pairing.....update..
    New key $58...postage to me $10....locksmith for key cut....dealer price for pairing $49-50
     
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  13. 03_triple

    03_triple Member

    Dec 8, 2022
    34
    18
    belgium
    I'm really curious if this solves the problem. I'm still suspecting the killswitch: after cleaning up the starter/killswitch everything works fine for a while.
    Of course: this could be a coincidence... Wouldn't be the first time... :(
     
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  14. Bolosun

    Bolosun Well-Known Member

    Aug 25, 2020
    244
    93
    Crewe/Cheshire
    When I had this on mine I cleaned all the switches and the starter motor. All seemed fine for awhile, but then failed to start again. Then I changed the battery as the one fitted was 6 years old, and that seemed to cure it. But it would happen again every now and then, until I changed the way I started the bike. If I don't let the starting process complete - clocks sweep and the shift lights complete, it will fail to start. I make sure the process finishes and now it starts first time every time.
     
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  15. 03_triple

    03_triple Member

    Dec 8, 2022
    34
    18
    belgium
    I recently (after cleaning the switches) cleaned the batteryterminals, sprayed them with contact spray and connected the battery to a tricklecharger as well. If it doesn't help, if surely doesn't hurt.
    Nothing helps reliability as periodically cleaning and contactspraying all connectors, i learned from my P6 (not completely comparable to a relatively new motorcycle, but anyway). :)
     
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  16. glenn smith

    glenn smith Member

    Dec 13, 2024
    22
    8
    CALIFORNIA
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  17. glenn smith

    glenn smith Member

    Dec 13, 2024
    22
    8
    CALIFORNIA
    After swapping the esm relay with the one next to it no problems stopping/starting
     
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  18. joe mc donald

    Subscriber

    Dec 26, 2014
    14,596
    1,000
    slough / burnham
    @glenn smith Great news mate and glad you sorted it and that you let us all know the fault it can only be helpful. Ride safe and enjoy.
     
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  19. glenn smith

    glenn smith Member

    Dec 13, 2024
    22
    8
    CALIFORNIA
    Iet me give it a month i will return with update...
     
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  20. sprintdave

    sprintdave Nurse, think it's time for his medications.
    Subscriber

    May 25, 2014
    1,588
    750
    Birmingham
    Fingers crossed for you mate
     
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