Neutral light issue

Bobby Bueller · Oct 26, 2024

Hi guys. New owner and new member here. I've just bought a very nice, low mileage xb12s and I'm loving it. There is, however a small niggling issue. The neutral light!
With the bike in neutral, turn key on. Turn run switch to on, neutral light comes on. Select gear with clutch in, obviously. Pull away and NL goes out. Pull in clutch to change gear, NL comes on then goes off when clutch out. Does the same with engine off. The side stand has no effect on anything to the point where I can ride off with stand down. I'm guessing PO has bypassed, eliminated or other wise f@#kd about with it for reasons unknown. What should I be looking for to cause the symptoms. What is the wiring sequence for the lock out circuit? There are no obvious signs of bodgery .

Rays · Oct 26, 2024

Bobby Bueller said:
Hi guys. New owner and new member here. I've just bought a very nice, low mileage xb12s and I'm loving it. There is, however a small niggling issue. The neutral light!
With the bike in neutral, turn key on. Turn run switch to on, neutral light comes on. Select gear with clutch in, obviously. Pull away and NL goes out. Pull in clutch to change gear, NL comes on then goes off when clutch out. Does the same with engine off. The side stand has no effect on anything to the point where I can ride off with stand down. I'm guessing PO has bypassed, eliminated or other wise f@#kd about with it for reasons unknown. What should I be looking for to cause the symptoms. What is the wiring sequence for the lock out circuit? There are no obvious signs of bodgery .

Assuming you have an earlier XB (< 2008) it sounds like you have the diode in the fusebox inserted the wrong way around.
It is a thing that looks like a fuse but has a symbol on the top that is similar to '->|-'.
This is a picture of the fusebox layout of my '06 Uly - the layout may differ with other models but I'm not sure about that.

This forms part of a 'wired OR' circuit that is designed to let the clutch switch OR the neutral switch provide a ground for the start relay while preventing the clutch switch falsely lighting the neutral switch.
The other less likely options would be a shorted diode or having a fuse put in instead of the diode.
If you have a later XB (2008 ->) this is handled by the ECM.

Ray

Bueller-Bueller? · Nov 14, 2024

Rays, that is some impressive diagnostics.
New owner here of a 2006 Ulysses with 12k miles that sat in someone’s garage for a long time. my neutral light is sticking. It works properly if I leave it in neutral overnight where the spring can pop it out, but if I leave it in gear it doesn’t. Guess I’ll order a new one.

Cooter · Nov 14, 2024

They are cheap, but so am I

I have had good success in removing it, depressing the ball and spraying contact cleaner in it.

Bueller-Bueller? · Nov 15, 2024

I replaced neutral switch all is good. I modified a socket that allows one to change the neutral switch without removing the belt (or sprocket) if anyone needs one.

Barrett · Nov 16, 2024

Bueller-Bueller? said:
I replaced neutral switch all is good. I modified a socket that allows one to change the neutral switch without removing the belt (or sprocket) if anyone needs one.

Generous offer on your part. I don't know why but through the years I've found that Mobil-1 20W50 V-twin Jaso-MA2 rated oil solves these sticky neutral light switches.

Neutral light issue

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