Neutral light now only on when im in first gear.

[dogmeat]

Ok so my 1997 Yamaha Xvs 650 was running great but yesterday it went a little nuts.

Now when Im in neutral the neutral light is off, when I shift into first it pops back on again.

Very odd,

Is it something I can fix my self?

Thanks.

[SillyMe]

I know this is of no use but I have lost count on the amount of times this has happened to me on loads of bikes.
My Condolences friend.
https://img183.imageshack.us/img183/7105/chimpanzeelaughing.gif
____________________
Once made equal to man, woman becomes his superior.
The man who says "I may be wrong, but -" does not believe there can be any such possibility
Owned and rode: Honda 100H, Honda MBX 125, Kawasaki AR 125, Suzuki RG 125 Pepsi, Honda NSR125 RK, Honda NRS 125 race bike, Suzuki GSXR 400 Bandit, Aprilia RS 125 O2, Honda CG125, Kawasaki KMX 125, Aprilia RS 125 O6, Suzuki XT225 and now Honda XR 400. ( A few scooters and other dead beats in between)

[stinkwheel]

There is usually a raised portion on the end of this selector drum (or elsewhere on the selector mechanism) that lines up with the neutral switch when the bike is in neutral. It presses against the switch (usually a simple sprung plunger) when you're in neutral, completing a circuit and making the light come on.

It is highly unlikely that the selector drum has moved, meaning it's more likely to be down to the switch itself being loose or bent.

The switch normally screws in from the outside of the gearbox and is often located somewhere around the front sprocket, often under the sprocket cover (but can be elsewhere on the outside of the gearbox, even on the other side). It looks like a small, 8 or 10mm bolt with a single wire attached to the end of it. In the case of your bike, it is a light blue wire.

I'd suggest you find this switch. Check the function of the wiring by disconnecting the wire and touching it against a bare metal piece of the bike (the neutral light should come on) then remove the switch and inspect it.

The switch should simply unscrew but beware, they often have a spring under them, sometimes with a small ball bearing which can ping out so be ready to catch it. Check it's straight, not too loose, give it a good squirt of WD40 to clean it up and put it back again, this may well fix it.

Depending on cost, I might consider replacing the switch anyway, they ought to be cheap enough.

If this doesn't fix it, the problem is probably in the gearbox selector mechanism which is more of a pain to do anything with and quite possibly isn't worth the hassle.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Vincent]

The neutral switch is probably like my RD one - a cream colour plastic affair with three countersunk screws recessed somewhere near the gearbox drive shaft. Whip it out and have a look at it. Be warned though, one of the countersunk bolts may have been "punched" on the edge to stop it working loose. If there isn't one, that might be your problem, ie, it's worked loose. Don't overtighten them when replacing, you'll crack the switch

New one is about £13.

[dogmeat]

Perfect!

Thanks for all the pointers guys, I'll have a good fiddle this weekend.

Thanks again.

Oh one other thing,

After driving home in a rain storm from work today I noticed the indicator switch has packed in, plus the dipped and full beam switch, and the horn. I'm guessing that that control cluster filled with water somehow.

I'll see what happens when/if it ever drys out.

None of this is related is it?

[stinkwheel]

I think it is unlikely to be anything to do with your previous problem in that the neutral light is actually working, just at the wrong time.

Odd for the entirity of that switchgear to have stopped working all at once though, even in heavy rain. I'd be more suspicious of it having come unplugged or that one of your fuses has blown.

To get rid of the water, squirt loads of WD40 in there. The WD stands for "Water Displacing", getting rid of water from electrical switches is what WD40 is actually designed for.

You may find a link to a wiring diagram handy.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[SillyMe]

[dogmeat]

Well I did notice that when I used the turn signals the little flasher next to the neutral light didnt flash either & it was a little dim.

Another thing i dont get is that i have an alarm fitted. When you arm/turn it off it the indicators flash. They are still doing that now even though the switch to use the indicators doesnt do anything.

I hate water and i hate electricity, but you guys are being very helpful, thank you.

So I'll see if she has dried out in the morning and I'll take a good look at this neutral switch at the weekend.

[stinkwheel]

[Walloper]

[SillyMe]

Why don't idiots read before they post flippant unrelated offensive gestures?

If you hadn't noticed the subject changed from neutral light to indicator switch not working, indicators only working when alarm is switched on and indicator light on dash being dim.
This is potentially related to water causing a short, cross connection, bad battery or alternator.

[Walloper]

Fight fight fight.
____________________
W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[SillyMe]

LOL!
____________________
Once made equal to man, woman becomes his superior.
The man who says "I may be wrong, but -" does not believe there can be any such possibility
Owned and rode: Honda 100H, Honda MBX 125, Kawasaki AR 125, Suzuki RG 125 Pepsi, Honda NSR125 RK, Honda NRS 125 race bike, Suzuki GSXR 400 Bandit, Aprilia RS 125 O2, Honda CG125, Kawasaki KMX 125, Aprilia RS 125 O6, Suzuki XT225 and now Honda XR 400. ( A few scooters and other dead beats in between)

[SillyMe]

If you hadn't noticed walloper, the subject changed and a potential solution found with a few checks which would eliminate any major problems.

[Walloper]

[SillyMe]

[N cee thirty]

not been an astronaut aswell have you ? D:
____________________
'00 Aprilia RS50 > '92 Honda CG > '99 Yamaha Fazer > '91 Yamaha RXS > '79 Suzuki X5 > 01' Honda Cg > 07' Honda Cg > 82' Kawasaki Z200 > suzuki gsxr 400 gk73a > honda vfr 400 NC30 Mod 2 Passed 09/06/2011

Jewlio Iglesias wrote: I actually did vote BNP once

[SillyMe]

LOL, not yet!
They wouldn't have me if you lot were anything to go by.
____________________
Once made equal to man, woman becomes his superior.
The man who says "I may be wrong, but -" does not believe there can be any such possibility
Owned and rode: Honda 100H, Honda MBX 125, Kawasaki AR 125, Suzuki RG 125 Pepsi, Honda NSR125 RK, Honda NRS 125 race bike, Suzuki GSXR 400 Bandit, Aprilia RS 125 O2, Honda CG125, Kawasaki KMX 125, Aprilia RS 125 O6, Suzuki XT225 and now Honda XR 400. ( A few scooters and other dead beats in between)

[Phoenix]

[SillyMe]

None of your business.
Oh and one negative from you above, where's all your positives jump on the band wagon bully keyboard warrior?

[Frost]

[SillyMe]

Wish I had.



LOL.
____________________
Once made equal to man, woman becomes his superior.
The man who says "I may be wrong, but -" does not believe there can be any such possibility
Owned and rode: Honda 100H, Honda MBX 125, Kawasaki AR 125, Suzuki RG 125 Pepsi, Honda NSR125 RK, Honda NRS 125 race bike, Suzuki GSXR 400 Bandit, Aprilia RS 125 O2, Honda CG125, Kawasaki KMX 125, Aprilia RS 125 O6, Suzuki XT225 and now Honda XR 400. ( A few scooters and other dead beats in between)

[Walloper]

[SillyMe]

LOL.

Points taken.

I have rebuilt two bike engines though and sold them on.

We will have to hope they are OK won't we.

A police officer from Wales bought one of them.
____________________
Once made equal to man, woman becomes his superior.
The man who says "I may be wrong, but -" does not believe there can be any such possibility
Owned and rode: Honda 100H, Honda MBX 125, Kawasaki AR 125, Suzuki RG 125 Pepsi, Honda NSR125 RK, Honda NRS 125 race bike, Suzuki GSXR 400 Bandit, Aprilia RS 125 O2, Honda CG125, Kawasaki KMX 125, Aprilia RS 125 O6, Suzuki XT225 and now Honda XR 400. ( A few scooters and other dead beats in between)

[chris-red]

If it is the alternator I'll eat my bollocks, E1 is talking shit again.

I'd say they may be related If the neutral light problem is consistent then I image it is an issue with the switch, if it is abit random with when it comes on it could be related to the other issue.

For the other issue first check the fuses (unlikely but easy to do) After that I'd strip the switch check the connections and go mad with WD40.

If that doesn't sort it I think you may have a bad earth with cause all kinds of gremlins. I had one on my bike and it was pure luck I found where it was. The best course first off is to pull apart all the connector bollocks and WD40 the shit out of them and make sure there is all round good connections. If that still does solve things you will have to break the multimeter out.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.