Gear position indicator switch

[aksel13]

My neutral light was illuminating for a while and decided to clean the Gear position indicator switch as i have y piece of bits which is relatively easy to reach to the Gear position indicator switch . last weekend i unplugged the switch using a tall screw driver then sprayed though out with gt85 and it was dirty though. i can say it helped to the neurtal light and have been easy to find since then HOWEVER i lost the 1st 2nd and 3rd gear of indicators on the dash.it only shows 4th gear (for 1,2,3) it was showing 4th,5th and 6th correctly . so i decided to spay with wd40 this weekend i thought that could cure the problem . this time i only have 4th gear showing on the dashboard for the all gears. Neutral light still easily and correctly can be found.
i searched on the forum but could not found anything close to my solution . it is mentioned that there are 3 small pins and spring inside the gear switch and to be careful when unplugging however i have not noticed those items . i hope that they did not come off .
does anyone know how to fix this ?

 

[fizzer]

yes my r1100rs 98 year does a similar thing,it has a mind of it own,i will get round to it one day ,but i think maybe the swing arm may have to come out get at mine,it may be worth taking the switch out a leaving it in some sort of cleaning fluid overnight.

 

[Ian J Hartley]

My neutral light was illuminating for a while and decided to clean the Gear position indicator switch as i have y piece of bits which is relatively easy to reach to the Gear position indicator switch . last weekend i unplugged the switch using a tall screw driver then sprayed though out with gt85 and it was dirty though. i can say it helped to the neurtal light and have been easy to find since then HOWEVER i lost the 1st 2nd and 3rd gear of indicators on the dash.it only shows 4th gear (for 1,2,3) it was showing 4th,5th and 6th correctly . so i decided to spay with wd40 this weekend i thought that could cure the problem . this time i only have 4th gear showing on the dashboard for the all gears. Neutral light still easily and correctly can be found.
i searched on the forum but could not found anything close to my solution . it is mentioned that there are 3 small pins and spring inside the gear switch and to be careful when unplugging however i have not noticed those items . i hope that they did not come off .
does anyone know how to fix this ?

If cleaning hasn't fixed your problem, the chances are that the internals of the switch are defective. The pins and springs are inside the actual plastic switch assembly.

You can pry the plastic switch apart and inside you will see the pins and springs.

What you do is really up to your level of competence. If your bike is an R1150, then the switch is a combined neutral light and gear indicator, so if you take it apart and can't reassemble it correctly, then you could loose the Neutral light as well as the gear indication. If you loose the neutral light because of a deffective switch, then you will also loose one of the earth paths for the starter relay.

You might want to consider replacing the switch assembly. It's easy enough to do. The assembly consists of a connector, wiring loom and switch. The connector connects into the bike loom on the left hand side of the bike under the fuel tank, and as you know, the switch attaches to the back of the gearbox.

Ian

 

[tanneman]

I don't know how difficult the 1150GS gear indicator switch is to get off with access and all that. Similar setup on the 1100S except the switch is only for the neutral light. Motorworks sell used ones and I used the 1150GS to build a gear indicator. Also check the connector halfway to the dash. Maybe the pins corroded but if you have messed around at the gearbox end and are losing gear indication I will go with above recommendation.

Something I have found useful when I refitted the gear indicator. Use a tiewrap to hold the retaining clip ends. Once the gear indicator is seated just snip the tiewrap and presto. Check for security and you are done. On the 1100S with the cat it is a right B***d to get to.

 

[aksel13]

I would not touch and take the switch apart as i can mess things up easily. The cleaning only solved to find neutral light seems to be. if there is no other chance to fix it , i could probably prefer to replace it in the near future.

 

[fizzer]

well after reading this thread it spurred me on to replace mine as it has been iffy for a while,i have just took the old one off tonight ,the swingarm need to be removed ,along with a alot of other bits and bobs,i have unplugged it and brought it in the house and took it apart ,believe me dont bother just buy a replacement ,yes it comes to bits but tiny springs and little brass poles just ping out ,unless you have eyes like a hawk its not going back together because you will never find the bits that ping out.

 

[King Rat]

well after reading this thread it spurred me on to replace mine as it has been iffy for a while,i have just took the old one off tonight ,the swingarm need to be removed ,along with a alot of other bits and bobs,i have unplugged it and brought it in the house and took it apart ,believe me dont bother just buy a replacement ,yes it comes to bits but tiny springs and little brass poles just ping out ,unless you have eyes like a hawk its not going back together because you will never find the bits that ping out.

How about if you take it apart inside a large freezer bag? You can see what you are doing, and the bag will contain the flying springs and bits - just a thought, I haven't had cause to take one apart. I have used the method for other things though.

 

[fizzer]

How about if you take it apart inside a large freezer bag? You can see what you are doing, and the bag will contain the flying springs and bits - just a thought, I haven't had cause to take one apart. I have used the method for other things though.

good idea mate .i just gave up and bought a replacement ,second hand of ebay last night