Bike is in neutral but green light on instrument panel doesn't come up and bike won't turn over

WJHamel

WJHamel

Joined
Nov 9, 2019
Messages
42
Age
58
Location
Shalimar, FL
2002 ST1300. Everything's been fine up to today, this is the first instance i've had with this bike in 4 years. Got on it today put the key in turned it shifted into neutral and noticed that the green light on the dash did not indicate neutral. Shifted it in and out of gear and back to neutral several times, verified it was in neutral still no green light. Therefore the starter won't kick on when I push the button. What could be causing this?
 
It should start if you pull the clutch lever.

My guess is the side-stand-down switch.

I'd have to look at the wiring diagram.
 
Look down by the oil inspection window, you will see a green wire and a small screw. This is your neutral light wire.
Make sure that the wire has not touched the engine and melted, and shorted out. (common)
 
Larry Fine said:
It should start if you pull the clutch lever.

My guess is the side-stand-down switch.

I'd have to look at the wiring diagram.
Click to expand...
Damnit. I thought it would, but it turns out I had the kickstand down when i tried. I was in a hurry, so i'll use that in the future. The green neutral light always comes on whether or not the side stand is down. I see other people suggesting i check the neutral switch and i'll tackle that tomorrow. Thanks.
 
WJHamel said:
Is there a specific fuse for the neutral indicator switch?
Click to expand...
Not exactly. It grounds two separate wires through a pair of diodes.

The diode is actually two diodes in a single package in a wye configuration.

One wire is solely for the neutral light, the hot side of which comes from the display.

The other wire is in the ground side of the starter-solenoid (-relay) circuit.

I'm guessing the neutral switch because it affects both the light and the starting.

It's unusual for both of the diodes to fail simultaneously.

Absolutely follow Igofar's advice. Always check the easiest to check first.
 
WJHamel said:
Damnit. I thought it would, but it turns out I had the kickstand down when i tried. I was in a hurry, so i'll use that in the future. The green neutral light always comes on whether or not the side stand is down. I see other people suggesting i check the neutral switch and i'll tackle that tomorrow. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Sorry! I misread your reply and thought that the side stand was the issue and corrected the problem. It is a mistake I have made multiple times hence the laugh.
 
The clutch lever and side stand do not affect the neutral light unless the diode is blown. I have seen the neutral light come on each time the clutch lever is pulled in when one of the diodes has blown - but that will not always happen.

The engine will always start if the bike is in neutral.
If the system thinks that the bike is not in neutral then the engine starting will depend on the clutch lever switch and the sidestand switch.
Mine will start if the clutch is pulled in and the sidestand is up - if the bike is not in neutral. (ST1300A9)
(Although I seem to remember that one of my previous bikes would cut the engine if I tried to let the clutch out when the sidestand was down - which suggested that bike would start if the clutch was pulled in regardless of the side stand position).
 
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Igofar said:
Look down by the oil inspection window, you will see a green wire and a small screw. This is your neutral light wire.
Make sure that the wire has not touched the engine and melted, and shorted out. (common)
Click to expand...
Yep. This was it. Literally just touched that wire and now all is well. Had my wife watch the light while I wiggled the wire, and not even a flicker. Should I worry about this recurring? There is no visible damage to the wire
 
The wire should be routed through a metal pigtail, and not touching the engine.
Problem is, that wire is part of your lower sub wire harness, and it may be damaged further up than you can see.
Check all the harness, don’t want to see you stranded anywhere when you could be out riding.
Glad you found the cause.
 
I have this problem while my bike in working temperature
And planning to replace the switch
 
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