Featured Tiger 1050 Fuel Gauge/clutch Switch

I took ownership of a 2008 tiger 1050 about 5 weeks ago. The bike is in great condition, with the only issue being a non functioning fuel gauge. The guy I bought it from reckoned the sender in the tank needed replacing, but I wasn't convinced. The low fuel light worked, which meant the sender was doing it's job, but I still was getting nothing on the gauge or distance to empty. I should also say that at startup, it would do the test and I could see the gauge working so wasn't a clock issue.

I did a few things, first I put a bit of redex in the tank just in case the float was sticking. Then I hooked up TuneECU to check for codes - nothing stored. I was changing maps anyway, which ruled out the map as an (unlikely) issue. I was going to replace the sender (thank goodness the Triumph dealer never rang me back with a price!) when I came across a thread somewhere which mentioned the clutch switch doing far more than people thought it did. It turns out if the switch is broken or bypassed, the gauge will run down to empty and then not "refill". Basically, the ecu will only take readings from the tank when the clutch is out so it's not taking a reading as fuel is sloshing around.

I took a look at my clutch switch and sure enough, it was disconnected. A previous owner had cut the cable and bridged the connection so the bike thought the clutch was "in" all the time. The clutch switch is known to give starting problems, so rather than reconnect a questionable switch, I replaced it. Triumph will say it can't be bought seperately, but part T2505005 (£16) is the same switch, it just has a connector on the end. Cut the connector, a few butt connectors and some heat shrink and I now have a functioning clutch switch ....and after a few miles the gauge is back working correctly! A nice win for very small money.

Anyway, I just thought I would share in case others are facing tthe same issue.