The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: Hrvatin on November 14, 2010, 06:36:41 AM

Title: Another neutral switch question
Post by: Hrvatin on November 14, 2010, 06:36:41 AM
My neutral light comes on sporadically, like once every 5-6 times I put it in neutral.  Also, and more importantly, the clutch lever has to be pulled in to allow the starter to spin.  Is it the switch under the transmission, or could it be a diode that was discussed in an earlier post?  By the way, it is an '84 R65.
Thanks for all the help so far, (I rebuilt and tuned the carbs, thanks to all the great info on this site.  Went for a shakedown ride yesterday, and she ran great.)

Ron
Title: Re: Another neutral switch question
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on November 14, 2010, 07:44:24 AM
I'm glad it is running great!
I'm bowing out of any comments on your neutral circuit, though! lol!
Title: Re: Another neutral switch question
Post by: montmil on November 14, 2010, 07:53:28 AM
Quote
... Is it the switch under the transmission, or could it be a diode that was discussed in an earlier post?...
Ron

Uh, yea. Could be that. Or maybe the hidden switch on the clutch lever perch? Sometimes that gets over-looked.

It's a real dog to get to, but you can disconnect the two wires at the neutral switch, temporarily join them and try the start procedure again. See if any thing changes for you.

Dirty and/or corroded connections can also play havoc with the Beemers electrics.

Check it out and call us back. ;)

Monte
Title: Re: Another neutral switch question
Post by: Bob_Roller on November 14, 2010, 10:14:47 AM
Your neutral switch on the transmission is the culprit, the OEM neutral switches aren't the greatest design .

With the transmission in neutral, the switch closes, this allows electrical power to be available at the starter relay .

If the neutral light doesn't come on the starter relay won't work, until the clutch lever is pulled in, the switch at the clutch lever now provides another path for electrical power to get to the starter relay .

Which is why you need a diode in the starter relay, you have two means of providing power to the relay, the diode prevents unwanted power back through the neutral light in the tachometer .