[jeffmoats]

2004 RANCHER 400 FA. I've had bike nine years and sometimes it would not start in gear with front brake pulled. Now it won't start in gear any of the time. After all these years starting in gear and now trying to remember to put in neutral first it is a real pain in the ar!!xs. Anybody else and what fixed it? thanks in advance.

 

[SamUK]

As your issue has been intermittent for quite some time and gradually worsened the first thing I would do is to clean the switch connections at the lever, these get quite corroded and the corrosion quite often works it’s way down the core of the wires. While your cleaning in that area get out your ohmmeter and check your switch is working correctly.

 

[ATC4ever]

See if your brake light comes on with the front brake applied.

 

[jeffmoats]

Thanks going to check with multimeter now.

 

[jeffmoats]

Thanks SamUK, dirty connections was it now works "good as old again".

 

[SamUK]

Thanks SamUK, dirty connections was it now works "good as old again".

Excellent, glad I could help you. If you keep those connections lightly oiled (a quick mist with penetrating oil or spray grease) they should be fine for years to come