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Neutral Light Switch

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by twerth, Dec 17, 2007.

  1. twerth

    twerth Member

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    I've got an '86 XJ700XS with a neutral light that stays on. I suspect it's just a bad switch, but I'm having trouble locating it. The schematics I've seen show it under the engine somewhere near the middle of the bike, but I haven't been able to spot it. Will I need to remove the exhaust to get to it? Is there a way to confirm that the switch is actually the problem once I finally find it?

    Thanks in advance.
     
    twerth, Dec 17, 2007
    #1
  2. daveflick

    daveflick Member

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    daveflick, Dec 17, 2007
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  3. Fraps

    Fraps Member

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    The switch is located almost right under the frame rail - you need to get under the bike to really see it. You probably have a loose or pinched wire that is grounding and causing the light to come on. Check your wiring before you try to pull the plug.

    Note: The neutral switch location I mention is for 82 secas and most likely a lot of other XJ's. Not sure about yours.
     
    Fraps, Dec 17, 2007
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  4. twerth

    twerth Member

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    Wow! What a pain to reach. I had to take the exhaust off to get to that bad boy. Turns out the PO or his mechanic had unhooked the wire from the switch and grounded it to a casing bolt. Don't ask me why. Once I connected it back up to the switch everything works like it oughta.

    On a semi-related electrical note, when I bought the bike, the two wires that are supposed to be connected to the radiator fan thermo switch were unhooked and jumpered together. Result was that the fan ran continuously when the key was in the on position. I reconnected the wires to the switch and the fan never comes on no matter what the engine temperature is. I think it's safe to say a new switch is in order. Any thoughts?
     
    twerth, Dec 19, 2007
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  5. Fraps

    Fraps Member

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    Does your bike have a thermocouple to detect the engine temp? If so, I would start there.
     
    Fraps, Dec 20, 2007
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  6. twerth

    twerth Member

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    Yes, it does. That's the thermo switch I mentioned. I just wanted to run that idea up the flagpole before I spent $40 on a new one. Thanks for the input.
     
    twerth, Dec 20, 2007
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  7. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    I've found non-functioning thermoswitches tend to need cleaning. I've pulled the units on most of my vehicles and wire-wheeled the element bung nice a clean and fixed most of my switch problems.
     
    Robert, Dec 20, 2007
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