Sunny's How To: NEUTRAL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CLUTCH IS PULLED

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sunnbobb
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Sunny's How To: NEUTRAL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CLUTCH IS PULLED

#1

Post by sunnbobb »

GL 1100 PROCEDURE: Neutral light powers up when clutch lever is depressed.

Goldwings are designed such that the Neutral light only comes on when the gearbox is in neutral. The neutral light is not supposed to come on when the clutch lever is pulled in; Unless. of course, the gearbox is in neutral.

If your neutral light is coming on when you pull in the clutch lever, here is how to fix the problem.

There is a silicon rectifier (diode) located in the neutral switch circuit. This diode only allows current in one direction. If the diode is burnt out, say, because someone plugged the starter solenoid plug block in backward, (not saying I did that..er moving right along), then the current will back feed from the clutch lever circuit and power the neutral light.

On the gl1100, the diode is located between the left side frame and the airbox. To get at it, you must remove the airbox. Once the airbox is removed you will see the diode (note picture)
Selenium Rectifer for Neutral light GL1100..jpg
Selenium Rectifer for Neutral light GL1100..jpg (68.58 KiB) Viewed 516 times
Pull and test the diode using a multimeter. A good diode will measure infinite ohms with the test leads connected one way and 6 ohms when connected the other.
diode.JPG
diode.JPG (55.75 KiB) Viewed 516 times
If the diode is bad, you can order another from Bike Bandit for about 23 bucks, part number: 628316. Purchase of a used one from Ebay or where ever is probably alright, as these seldom go out.

Plug the new diode in and test your clutch lever. Everything should now work as it is supposed to. Reinstall your airbox and ride free of the annoying neutral light coming on every time you shift.
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1978 Learning Experience
1980 County Road Hauler "Brain Damage"
1978 Cafe Custom Gl1000 "Vyper"
1977 Bulldog Inspired "Vaincre"
1981 Street Fighter GL1100 "No Quarter"
1983 Supercharged Street Drag "Anubis" (in worx)
1983 gl1100 mint restoration "Kristen"
1985 Aspencade..pondering.
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Re: Sunny's How To: NEUTRAL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CLUTCH IS PU

#2

Post by chewy999 »

Thanks Sunnbobb, going to check mine now as my light plays up, but may be the actual switch!

lolol lolol lolol
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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Re: Sunny's How To: NEUTRAL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CLUTCH IS PU

#3

Post by Oldest Sage »

Hmmm....mine acted up right after I had an issue with my starter solenoid...self induced? :-?
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Re: Sunny's How To: NEUTRAL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CLUTCH IS PU

#4

Post by Toehead »

You can also replace it with a 1$ radioshack diode.
2012 Golf TDI, fast and frugal oil burner
1980 CX500C, All around road warrior (Sold)
1975 TS125 (Sold), old smoker
1977 naked GL1000, Highway cruiser
'81 GL1100 14,000 (reconditioned and sold)
'81 GL1100 50,000 miles (under construction)
2X 1981 CM400 beginner bike (sold)
1980 CB750C (sold)
1994 Virago 750 (Wifey's bike)
'76 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow (Megasquirted efi build) http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=59774
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Re: Sunny's How To: NEUTRAL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CLUTCH IS PU

#5

Post by CYBORG »

Toehead wrote:You can also replace it with a 1$ radio shack diode.
Not any more. Radio Shack is out of business
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
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chewy999
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Re: Sunny's How To: NEUTRAL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CLUTCH IS PU

#6

Post by chewy999 »

Are you talking about item no. 1 on this link?

http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/H ... parts.html

I couldn't find it using the 6 digit number you listed.

anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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Toehead
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Re: Sunny's How To: NEUTRAL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CLUTCH IS PU

#7

Post by Toehead »

CYBORG wrote:
Toehead wrote:You can also replace it with a 1$ radio shack diode.
Not any more. Radio Shack is out of business
Then a 1$ digikey or local electronics store diode. Besides, they are in chapter 11. My local stores are still open.
Last edited by Toehead on Sun Mar 15, 2015 8:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2012 Golf TDI, fast and frugal oil burner
1980 CX500C, All around road warrior (Sold)
1975 TS125 (Sold), old smoker
1977 naked GL1000, Highway cruiser
'81 GL1100 14,000 (reconditioned and sold)
'81 GL1100 50,000 miles (under construction)
2X 1981 CM400 beginner bike (sold)
1980 CB750C (sold)
1994 Virago 750 (Wifey's bike)
'76 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow (Megasquirted efi build) http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=59774
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Re: Sunny's How To: NEUTRAL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CLUTCH IS PU

#8

Post by hmratbam »

But it's hard to find a diode in a little black box with the blade terminals! IMPROVISE!
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Re: Sunny's How To: NEUTRAL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CLUTCH IS PU

#9

Post by sunnbobb »

Chewy, yes, that is it, thanks for the diagram too.
I found the end of the internet

---- Bradshaw Bikes custom polishing for your wing. Visit us on facebook!

1978 Learning Experience
1980 County Road Hauler "Brain Damage"
1978 Cafe Custom Gl1000 "Vyper"
1977 Bulldog Inspired "Vaincre"
1981 Street Fighter GL1100 "No Quarter"
1983 Supercharged Street Drag "Anubis" (in worx)
1983 gl1100 mint restoration "Kristen"
1985 Aspencade..pondering.
User avatar
chewy999
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Posts: 3214
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Location: Haddenham, Cambs, UK

Re: Sunny's How To: NEUTRAL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CLUTCH IS PU

#10

Post by chewy999 »

sunnbobb wrote:Chewy, yes, that is it, thanks for the diagram too.
You are more than welcome after you did the real work. :bravo

anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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