won't start - no green light (2012 250r)

ubercat · July 18th, 2015, 04:33 PM

Hi All
Complete noob - just done my one day learners course - just bought the bike. It was sitting around for long time at last owners but it had full service just before I bought it.

Bike's sitting outside on deck - roof and under bike cover. Its been cold here.

Yesterday took it for my first spin on the backroads. I had to give it full choke to start but it started OK. Yesterday if I started and then engaged to neutral light would go from red to green and it would start.

Today only red light - won't go green whatever I do. I've got clutch lever in and kill switch is in the correct position and I can see and hear gas in the tank.

accumack · July 18th, 2015, 04:58 PM

If you are sure it's in neutral it could be the clutch switch. If it's in gear the kickstand need to up if it is check the kickstand switch.

johncrist1988 · July 18th, 2015, 05:10 PM

I didn't know the light ever turned red. For my '10 it's either green or off.

Agreed, though, check the switches for the clutch lever and kickstand first. As long as it's actually in neutral, which you can check by trying to rock the bike back and forth with the clutch out, it'll start whether the stand is down or up or whether the clutch is pulled in or let out. It won't matter, it'll just start.

Also, try pulling in the clutch and shifting ALL the way down until the shifter won't move anymore. You may be sitting in a false neutral.

ubercat · July 18th, 2015, 05:42 PM

Thanks guys - bit frustrating on yr 2nd ride ever.

I was trying with the kickstand up. John - do you mean if its in neutral you should be able to walk it and the wheels will turn freely?

choneofakind · July 18th, 2015, 06:13 PM

Uhhh... unless you've got either a) some weird idea of what the dummy lights should be doing or b) some weird wiring that makes your dummy lights function differently, then idk how to figure out what you're even talking about.

Green: neutral light. Only comes on when it's in neutral. Off when not in neutral.
red: low oil pressure light. Comes on when oil pressure is low. Off when oil pressure is deemed "okay" for running.
yelllow: turn signal indicator. Self explainatory.
blue: high beam indicator. Self explainatory.

SO! What's up with yours?

Notes: choke is fine. It's carbureted, that's how it starts. With choke. Don't use choke as the judge of what condition your bike is in, that's just silly.

Permissive conditions (all conditions need the kill switch and ignition to be "on") for the bike to start:

neutral, with or without the clutch pulled in, side stand up or down
in gear, with the clutch pulled in, side stand up or down. Note, it will die in this situation as soon as you let the clutch out, because the side stand is down

jkv45 · July 18th, 2015, 06:36 PM

Double check that it's in neutral.

Rock the bike forward and backward (engine off) while tapping down on the shifter until you no longer feel any movement, then a light tap up to neutral - that should give you a green light unless there are other issues.

The red light should be the oil pressure sensor. It should be on when you turn on the ignition, but go off immediately when the engine starts.

Motofool · July 18th, 2015, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubercat

....... do you mean if its in neutral you should be able to walk it and the wheels will turn freely?

Yes, the rear wheel is completely disconnected from the engine and clutch when the selector is in the Neutral position and that is what the green light is telling you.
I wonder if the Australian models have different indicator lights.

If you cannot walk it, put the bike on the center stand, and manipulate the gear shifter with your left hand while you turn the rear wheel with your right hand (be careful with your fingers next to the lower point of engagement between chain and sprocket).

Be aware of the Kawasaki positive neutral finder:
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Acceler...changing_gears

Please, read these also:

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_do_...the_shifter%3F

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/My_bike...this_normal%3F

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/E-Z_shifting_for_beginners

Welcome, Kevin!!!

NevadaWolf · July 18th, 2015, 09:31 PM

Just to help clear up the light confusion, @ubercat, does your gauge look like this?

InvisiBill · July 19th, 2015, 06:48 AM

Yeah, the stock (US) dash uses clear bulbs with colored lenses over them. It's physically impossible for the lights to change color.

The way that chone described the safety switches is correct. Basically as long as it's turned on and in neutral, it should always attempt to start. The neutral sensor provides the continuity for both the dash indicator and the starting circuit. So if the dash light is on, then the starter stuff should see it as being in neutral.

If it's not in neutral, the clutch switch will override the neutral sensor. If you're in gear and pull the clutch, it will also be allowed to start.

Once it's started, having it in gear and releasing the clutch will kill the engine if the sidestand is down.

wardie · July 21st, 2015, 02:39 PM

First like everyone says check that the bike is in neutral by pushing bike forward if it's in gear you'll know it. Second if in neutral make sure side stand is up. Third if above is ok then disconnect the wires to the side stand switch and jump between them, that should allow the bike to start. Someone else chime in if there's a handlebar clutch lever switch? I think their is but haven't had any trouble so I can't say for sure...

July 18th, 2015, 04:33 PM	#1
ubercat ninjette.org newbie Name: Kevin Location: Melbourne Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r Posts: 2	won't start - no green light (2012 250r) Hi All Complete noob - just done my one day learners course - just bought the bike. It was sitting around for long time at last owners but it had full service just before I bought it. Bike's sitting outside on deck - roof and under bike cover. Its been cold here. Yesterday took it for my first spin on the backroads. I had to give it full choke to start but it started OK. Yesterday if I started and then engaged to neutral light would go from red to green and it would start. Today only red light - won't go green whatever I do. I've got clutch lever in and kill switch is in the correct position and I can see and hear gas in the tank.

July 18th, 2015, 06:13 PM	#5
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Uhhh... unless you've got either a) some weird idea of what the dummy lights should be doing or b) some weird wiring that makes your dummy lights function differently, then idk how to figure out what you're even talking about. Green: neutral light. Only comes on when it's in neutral. Off when not in neutral. red: low oil pressure light. Comes on when oil pressure is low. Off when oil pressure is deemed "okay" for running. yelllow: turn signal indicator. Self explainatory. blue: high beam indicator. Self explainatory. SO! What's up with yours? Notes: choke is fine. It's carbureted, that's how it starts. With choke. Don't use choke as the judge of what condition your bike is in, that's just silly. Permissive conditions (all conditions need the kill switch and ignition to be "on") for the bike to start: neutral, with or without the clutch pulled in, side stand up or down in gear, with the clutch pulled in, side stand up or down. Note, it will die in this situation as soon as you let the clutch out, because the side stand is down

July 19th, 2015, 06:48 AM	#9
InvisiBill EX500 full of EX250 parts Name: Bill Location: Grand Rapids-ish, MI Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): '18 Ninja 400 • '09 Ninja 500R (selling) • '98 VFR800 (project) • '85 Vulcan VN700 (sold) Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Aug '15	Yeah, the stock (US) dash uses clear bulbs with colored lenses over them. It's physically impossible for the lights to change color. The way that chone described the safety switches is correct. Basically as long as it's turned on and in neutral, it should always attempt to start. The neutral sensor provides the continuity for both the dash indicator and the starting circuit. So if the dash light is on, then the starter stuff should see it as being in neutral. If it's not in neutral, the clutch switch will override the neutral sensor. If you're in gear and pull the clutch, it will also be allowed to start. Once it's started, having it in gear and releasing the clutch will kill the engine if the sidestand is down. __________________________________________________ * Unregistered, I'm not your mom and I'm not paying for your parts, so do whatever you want with your own bike. *

July 21st, 2015, 02:39 PM	#10
wardie ninjette.org guru Name: Larry Location: Youngstown, Ohio Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 KLR 650,12 250 Ninja, 86 DR 125, 07 CRF 100, 09 Tomos Streetmate LEL Record Holder, 88 K100 RT Posts: 434	switches and other things First like everyone says check that the bike is in neutral by pushing bike forward if it's in gear you'll know it. Second if in neutral make sure side stand is up. Third if above is ok then disconnect the wires to the side stand switch and jump between them, that should allow the bike to start. Someone else chime in if there's a handlebar clutch lever switch? I think their is but haven't had any trouble so I can't say for sure... __________________________________________________ wardie

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July 18th, 2015, 04:58 PM	#2
accumack ninjette.org member Name: jim Location: texas currently in Temecula Valley CA Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): honda crf230l & 2013 ninja 300se wife has Honda crf230l & honda cbr250r repsol Posts: 222	If you are sure it's in neutral it could be the clutch switch. If it's in gear the kickstand need to up if it is check the kickstand switch.

July 18th, 2015, 05:10 PM	#3
johncrist1988 ninjette.org member Name: John Location: Phoenix, AZ Join Date: Apr 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2006 EX250-F "Sheldon" (Sold), 2010 Ninja 250R "Zeke" Posts: 129	I didn't know the light ever turned red. For my '10 it's either green or off. Agreed, though, check the switches for the clutch lever and kickstand first. As long as it's actually in neutral, which you can check by trying to rock the bike back and forth with the clutch out, it'll start whether the stand is down or up or whether the clutch is pulled in or let out. It won't matter, it'll just start. Also, try pulling in the clutch and shifting ALL the way down until the shifter won't move anymore. You may be sitting in a false neutral.

July 18th, 2015, 05:42 PM	#4
ubercat ninjette.org newbie Name: Kevin Location: Melbourne Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r Posts: 2	Thanks guys - bit frustrating on yr 2nd ride ever. I was trying with the kickstand up. John - do you mean if its in neutral you should be able to walk it and the wheels will turn freely?

July 18th, 2015, 06:36 PM	#6
jkv45 Rev Limiter Name: Jay Location: WI Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16	Double check that it's in neutral. Rock the bike forward and backward (engine off) while tapping down on the shifter until you no longer feel any movement, then a light tap up to neutral - that should give you a green light unless there are other issues. The red light should be the oil pressure sensor. It should be on when you turn on the ignition, but go off immediately when the engine starts.