2004 1200GS neutral indicator (or not)

[Neil A]

2004 1200GS 48k miles
Last week, filled up with fuel, turned back on, no neutral light, no gear showing in gear indicator window (just blank). Everything else normal. Wouldn't start (obviously, as not apparently in neutral, although it actually was). It wasn't raining.
Pushed to side of filling station, switched on & off a few times, eventually got the neutral light & 0 in the gear indicator, all happy again. Not happened since.

Likely to be a one-off, or worth doing something about now before it leaves me stranded somewhere?

Thanks!

Neil

 

[trainman]

i had the same a while back, 1st, N and 2nd went blank, 3rd and up were ok, for some reason never stopped the bike from working, seemed to only happen when engine cold, once a few miles done it was ok

the sensor is on the back of the gearbox and there is a plug which on mine was full of crap, cleaned out, remade plug and covered in acf50

after this things were better but it still happened on the odd occasion, since this has happened have changed the g/box oil and now its fine!

not sure if much applies to your issue but would check the sensor is tight and the plug is not full of gunk

 

[GrinningGSer]

Its a known issue with the gear position sensor, which does not like getting wet . I am on my third and that also fails occasionally
I dont think anybody really knows if it is damp wiring or a wet/faulty sensor, or both which causes the issue
The sensor is on the back of the gearbox and the wiring, especially, is reasonably hard to get at:

You'll need a female torx ring spanner E8 and they are not easy to find
There is not enough room to get a socket head on.

When off, you see this:

The position switch looks like this on the inside. Note the sealing O ring and worth some extra silicone grease:

I have sprayed everything with a waterproofing laquer and have been OK since, but haven't tested
it with and fords yet.

A new gear position sensor may cost approx £90

As you will have discovered, when the bike does not know the gear position, then you'll have starter and side stand issues

It is not a critical component, but a real pain in the a*** when it fails

 

[Neil A]

Thanks

Thanks, GrinningGSer and Trainman. Much appreciated! This forum is great for stuff like this. Now the only issues are getting hold of the right Torx spanner and getting at the damn thing....
Cheers
Neil