Reverse Engagement Voodoo - Nothing is Ever Easy to Troubleshoot, is it?

[hydraglide]

Hey fellow Tri Glider's!

Hoping to get some insights from you all regarding a recent development I've been experiencing on my 2021 Tri Glide.

A few rides ago, upon initial startup in my garage (flat floor for what it's worth), upon depressing the reverse button I observed the dreaded "flashing R" indicator light on my dash.

Parking brake off, trike in neutral I shut it off, restarted and attempted to put it in reverse. This time, "R" came on as it should be and I was in business.

I tried reverse on and off that day, no issues engaging it. Rode home, parked and then... a few days later, I started it up, and again, the flashing "R". This time, I just re-pressed the reverse button and the "R" was solid. Hmmmm.. off I went, again attempting to engage reverse throughout the day with no issues.

What I decided to do that day was avoid using the parking brake, in an attempt to see if perhaps there might be an issue with the parking brake switch perhaps sticking and causing a false "flashing R". Parked it in the garage at the end of the day, no parking brake.

Flash forward to today. Put the trike in neutral, started it up and attempted to back it out and again, the dreaded flashing "R". Once again, I immediately re-pressed the reverse button and it engaged fine. Reverse worked every time I tried it today over a 6 hour ride. When I got home, I parked it, waited 5 minutes, restarted it and reverse worked fine.

Soooo.. this issue seems to be happening ONLY on a cold start and cannot be replicated once the bike is warm. Should be noted there are no trouble codes. And obviously the fuse isn't tripped because it works immediately on the retry.

What I plan on doing is manually flipping the breaker and resetting it before the next cold start just for snicks. (maybe it is ever so slightly unseated and once juice is flowing, it improves contact... just a wild brain tease going on in my head). I'm also wondering if there might be an issue with the start/reverse switch (poor contact, although I have zero issues starting).

As always, I'd love to hear your theories and/or recommendations.

To this point, it's not been a ride breaker, but... something ain't right and I am on a mission to correct it before it becomes a ride breaker. Before I take this issue to my dealer, I'd like to try everything I can first.

Thanks!

[hardwickbv]

From my experience I have found that on a cold start the rpm's may be up for a short period and this will cause the Flashing R until they drop back down to normal.

Bob

[ultrafxr]

Happens on my 2020 TG also. As you found just pressing again (sometimes more than once) will get it to engage. No idea why it happens. They all do that!

[GTK]

I agree with hardwickbv. High rpm when first started cold will cause a flashing reverse lamp indicating conditions not met for engaging reverse. Next time let bike run for couple of minutes to let rpm drop down from fast cold idle. Engaging reverse at higher rpm's is a safety factor and will cause harm to starter motor and drive.

[hydraglide]

I agree with hardwickbv. High rpm when first started cold will cause a flashing reverse lamp indicating conditions not met for engaging reverse. Next time let bike run for couple of minutes to let rpm drop down from fast cold idle. Engaging reverse at higher rpm's is a safety factor and will cause harm to starter motor and drive.

From my experience I have found that on a cold start the rpm's may be up for a short period and this will cause the Flashing R until they drop back down to normal.

Bob

Bob, Gerald, you guys are on it! Thanks for your quick replies! Makes total sense with the mornings now chillier and the after cold start idle speed higher for a bit longer than in the summer.

Appreciate you guys! Why this forum rocks!

[hydraglide]

Happens on my 2020 TG also. As you found just pressing again (sometimes more than once) will get it to engage. No idea why it happens. They all do that!

Jerry... I think we have the answer... see Bob and Gerald's replies.

[Jack Klarich]

The reverse mode is set up to kick up the idle, the reverse motor draws big amps, when you try to put it in reverse on a cold start without waiting for the idle speed to stabilize, the ECM sees that and by default will cause the flashing R light

Let it warm up first, get the idle down and the juices flowing in the engine, primary and tranny first