2018 Starter Fix Thread - Continued.
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Mark Berg - CPD
Site Sponsor
Tech Bulletin
In the new world of social media, instant response, and hidden identities, along with the crazy political world of lies, democrats, versus republicans and everything in between that is considered fake news.
Let me stress again that there has indeed been a fix for some of the new 18's that are starting electric start issues.
#1. A tech bulletin to our dealer network was sent on November 14th. We have emailed several times and it is the first item dealers see when logging into our dealer portal. We will start calling EVERY dealer starting tomorrow to speak directly to the service manager of each location as it would appear that some communication isn't getting to the customers that are experiencing a starting issue. (or there are those that just want to continue a dead end thread to see whose buttons they can push)
#2. There was and is no intent AT ALL of deceiving anyone or ignoring the situation as some had previously claimed. Again, tech bulletin was released in North America in the middle of November after extensive testing, research and communication between the factory, ourselves and some dealers that sampled our simple repair.
#3. Most all of the bikes after the simple first two tech repairs do and are starting great. If after the AUTHORIZED DEALER has accomplished the first two tech updates, and the bike will not start, there is a 3rd step that will be the final resolve.
#4. Please allow time for this tech bulletin to happen at your dealership.
#5. GasGas will stand by our warranty to the fullest in comparison to any other manufacturer. We are trying to catch up on those bikes on show room floors and hope all resolved very soon.
#6. New containers on the ocean already have the updated starter as well.
#7. If for some reason you wish to continue disbelief or have conspiracy theories, please private PM me so we can have that discussion. The previous thread was closed by the moderators because it had ran its course and the fix is out there.
In the new world of social media, instant response, and hidden identities, along with the crazy political world of lies, democrats, versus republicans and everything in between that is considered fake news.
Let me stress again that there has indeed been a fix for some of the new 18's that are starting electric start issues.
#1. A tech bulletin to our dealer network was sent on November 14th. We have emailed several times and it is the first item dealers see when logging into our dealer portal. We will start calling EVERY dealer starting tomorrow to speak directly to the service manager of each location as it would appear that some communication isn't getting to the customers that are experiencing a starting issue. (or there are those that just want to continue a dead end thread to see whose buttons they can push)
#2. There was and is no intent AT ALL of deceiving anyone or ignoring the situation as some had previously claimed. Again, tech bulletin was released in North America in the middle of November after extensive testing, research and communication between the factory, ourselves and some dealers that sampled our simple repair.
#3. Most all of the bikes after the simple first two tech repairs do and are starting great. If after the AUTHORIZED DEALER has accomplished the first two tech updates, and the bike will not start, there is a 3rd step that will be the final resolve.
#4. Please allow time for this tech bulletin to happen at your dealership.
#5. GasGas will stand by our warranty to the fullest in comparison to any other manufacturer. We are trying to catch up on those bikes on show room floors and hope all resolved very soon.
#6. New containers on the ocean already have the updated starter as well.
#7. If for some reason you wish to continue disbelief or have conspiracy theories, please private PM me so we can have that discussion. The previous thread was closed by the moderators because it had ran its course and the fix is out there.
Thanks Mark for the post. I have an 18 ec and just want to congratulate you for your input on the forum. Also, my faith in the brand has not been tarnished whatsoever by things being said on this forum. I put a new battery in mine today and it seems to have fixed my starting issues at the moment. I've been injured since purchasing the bike so haven't really been able to give the starter a good test as yet. Hopefully Australian dealers are made aware of the tech bulletin just incase I do come across issues down the track.
One thing for certain, every thing I disliked about my 2012r 300 was fixed with the release of the 2018 model so I know that the powers that be are actually listening to us, the consumer. Something that the old company to some extent failed to do to some extent. Once again thankyou and I encourage you to have an input on this forum. To anyone on this forum who is an Australian dealer it would be great for an input from you guys too. I do realise that this forum is mainly for US owners but for the rest of us it's really all we have.
I look forward to be a long time customer of the brand.
Regards
JC
One thing for certain, every thing I disliked about my 2012r 300 was fixed with the release of the 2018 model so I know that the powers that be are actually listening to us, the consumer. Something that the old company to some extent failed to do to some extent. Once again thankyou and I encourage you to have an input on this forum. To anyone on this forum who is an Australian dealer it would be great for an input from you guys too. I do realise that this forum is mainly for US owners but for the rest of us it's really all we have.
I look forward to be a long time customer of the brand.
Regards
JC
hadfield4wd
New member
It doesn’t seem anybody here is in manufacturing! If they were they would know just how amazing it is that Mark the Operations Manager for NA actually responds in this fashion. This sort of communication and transparency is just unheard of. Other brands have struggled with starters for YEARS, not weeks. This may seem slow to some in this day with social media and immediate information but a consumer will not speak with an Ops Manager for any reason in any industry for the most part.
And also maintain the integrity of the dealer network while doing so.
My hats off to GasGas.
And also maintain the integrity of the dealer network while doing so.
My hats off to GasGas.
The system may be sensitive to the amount of charge in the battery. Did you charge it? Does it do any better if you jump it from a car battery?
Is there an upgrade for my 07?
The starter seems a little lazy especially after the 2nd lap or if he's fallen off.
Same issue here with my 06...
Trying to get it fixed at the local gym
chunkysoup
Gold Level Site Supporter
What are some of the symptoms of the starting issue on the 2018?
I've just got done breaking in my motor and took it on it's first real ride today. Some times I would press the starter button and absolutely nothing would happen. Other times it would turn over maybe one time and then stop.
Other times it started up with no problems... just wanted to check on this. I'm hoping it doesn't get worse. Absolutely loving the 2018 though. gasgas's best bike to date!
I've just got done breaking in my motor and took it on it's first real ride today. Some times I would press the starter button and absolutely nothing would happen. Other times it would turn over maybe one time and then stop.
Other times it started up with no problems... just wanted to check on this. I'm hoping it doesn't get worse. Absolutely loving the 2018 though. gasgas's best bike to date!
Jakobi
Super Moderator
The demo I saw would crank over really strong. No issues with the starter motor engaging, however the bike would simply not fire. Throwing out the kick starter and giving it a boot it would fire straight up.
chunkysoup
Gold Level Site Supporter
Good to know, thank you. Im sure if I toss in a new Shorai battery, my starting will be a little more consistent.
Gasser Nate
New member
I have been working on Gassers in Australia since about '02. I love the bikes to death and this 2018 update/revamp is so good I went out and bought one!
One test ride and I was hooked. Kyb's and that grunty 300 motor
On the starter issue, from what I have seen Is like the Mark from GG has said it is not all bikes that are affected. I have seen the 'spin all day long but not start' fault (as if no spark) and the usual effects all two stroke starter motor 'stall when the battery/motor seems to struggle to get past tdc.' This one was simply overcome by another stab of the starter button.
From what I have seen is the main battery earth doesn't go to the starter motor like previous gassy's so adding a earth strap is one thing owners could do to eliminate voltage drop. And the bike that previously had the fault had it's cdi swapped between a few others and since then never failed to start.. so maybe just a dirty cdi plug. Also worth a try.
I am sure these things will be/should be checked by your dealers but worth mentioning.
One test ride and I was hooked. Kyb's and that grunty 300 motor
On the starter issue, from what I have seen Is like the Mark from GG has said it is not all bikes that are affected. I have seen the 'spin all day long but not start' fault (as if no spark) and the usual effects all two stroke starter motor 'stall when the battery/motor seems to struggle to get past tdc.' This one was simply overcome by another stab of the starter button.
From what I have seen is the main battery earth doesn't go to the starter motor like previous gassy's so adding a earth strap is one thing owners could do to eliminate voltage drop. And the bike that previously had the fault had it's cdi swapped between a few others and since then never failed to start.. so maybe just a dirty cdi plug. Also worth a try.
I am sure these things will be/should be checked by your dealers but worth mentioning.
Adrian200xc
New member
I missed all the drama! I?ve been too busy riding this amazing bike. I?m having the starting problem as well but I haven?t taken it to the dealer because I can?t stop riding it! This hasn?t bothered me much, especially after I rode with a friend and his battery died on his new beta. It doesn?t have a kicker! 
*
*I have been working on Gassers in Australia since about '02. I love the bikes to death and this 2018 update/revamp is so good I went out and bought one!
One test ride and I was hooked. Kyb's and that grunty 300 motor
On the starter issue, from what I have seen Is like the Mark from GG has said it is not all bikes that are affected. I have seen the 'spin all day long but not start' fault (as if no spark) and the usual effects all two stroke starter motor 'stall when the battery/motor seems to struggle to get past tdc.' This one was simply overcome by another stab of the starter button.
From what I have seen is the main battery earth doesn't go to the starter motor like previous gassy's so adding a earth strap is one thing owners could do to eliminate voltage drop. And the bike that previously had the fault had it's cdi swapped between a few others and since then never failed to start.. so maybe just a dirty cdi plug. Also worth a try.
I am sure these things will be/should be checked by your dealers but worth mentioning.
Hey Nate,
I just bought mine - super stoked with it!
Quite easy to ride too for a 300 2t!
I am having issues with my electric start though - it will spin the motor no worries but won't start it. Sometimes it gets "hung up" but pressing the button again lets it spin up.
It will not start in gear with the clutch in, seems to start in neutral though
Gasser Nate
New member
What model is it? 2018 or 2019? How many hours on it so far?
Have you tried any of the listed fixes yet?
Have you tried any of the listed fixes yet?
I only picked it up today. Really clean low hour bike. Has done 6 hours.
Have not seen any fix's in the forums yet. Still trying to figure out everything.
Do you have a link to the fixes ?
I think the battery ground was suspect from some reading earlier?
Also do they have a steering lock key? Mine didn't come with one and I couldn't see it.
I have so many other questions about it too though
Have not seen any fix's in the forums yet. Still trying to figure out everything.
Do you have a link to the fixes ?
I think the battery ground was suspect from some reading earlier?
Also do they have a steering lock key? Mine didn't come with one and I couldn't see it.
I have so many other questions about it too though
SS109
Active member
No links but the fixes that have been brought up...
1. Stronger battery
2. Larger ground cable
3. Having CDI re-mapped
4. Cleaning all ground points between battery and starter
5. Replacing the bearings in the starter mechanism
6. Replacing the starter itself
Least the first 4 items seem straight forward.
How do you remap the CDI? Are dealers the only one who can do it?
Are there any trouble shooting methods to determine if it?s the starter itself? I have done the first 4 and have good voltage everywhere
