Neutral Indicator

08-01-2014, 10:01 PM

Ow Do, First post and probably an obvious answer somewhere but can anyone shed some light on reasons why my neutral indicator is starting to light up very dimly while its in gear, its intermittent and sometimes happens in all gears sometimes in only a couple of them. I ride a 2002 750ie Dark, also can any of you recommend a decent mail order parts company for Ducati bits and pieces. Cheers guys.

utopia · 08-01-2014, 11:28 PM

I haven't had a close look at mine, but I believe that the neutral switch has shim-washers to adjust its position in/out of the cases.
Could be that yours has worn slightly such that it needs re-shimming ......maybe.....?

I'm only repeating what I've heard/read though.

Kato · 09-01-2014, 08:43 AM

Sounds to me like the switch is about to fail, it a spring and plunger type switch, easy enough to replace and will cost around £25 from Ducati, no shims ....just a copper washer fits in the back of the engine on the right hand side

Part No:- 539.1.021.1A

slob · 09-01-2014, 10:44 AM

or moisture...

10-01-2014, 02:41 PM

thanks guys I'll take a poke around there and see what I find, I'm not the most mechanically minded but I don't use hammers for everything either. I shall report back in due course. All the best.

Darren69 · 10-01-2014, 02:59 PM

This is a common failure with these switches. They're a bugger to get out/replace too!

jonzi · 10-01-2014, 03:34 PM

If the one from a 600ss fits in to your bike then I can send you one that I think works, but has had the wires snipped off.

it's only one, possibly two wires so could easily be soldered.

If you want it (and I can find it) PM your address.

Flip · 10-01-2014, 03:35 PM

The switches are not the best to be honest, I replaced mine when the bike was about four or five years old and the second one didn't last that long so I gave up as you can always tell when the gearbox is in neutral anyway and I'd rather trust my 'feel' than a potentially dodgy switch with I hit the starter while it's on the side stand (no in-gear cut out on the early bikes remember).

As Utopia says (on the early bikes at least) the switch was supplied with some shims to enable the switch to light at the correct time (I presume there must have been some tolerance issues with the engine cases?).

gary tompkins · 10-01-2014, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonzi

If the one from a 600ss fits in to your bike then I can send you one that I think works, but has had the wires snipped off.

it's only one, possibly two wires so could easily be soldered.

If you want it (and I can find it) PM your address.

Bit of a long shot. There's a world of difference between the 600SS and M750ie motor, both in terms of design and year of manufacture. Would be a miracle if they used the same switch. I would rather replace with a brand new rather than a used, and potentially well worn part. Especially as the neutral switch is a complete PITA to swap on ducati twins. I wouldn't personally want to do it once... let alone twice

Darren69 · 10-01-2014, 04:37 PM

Check the connection into the main loom and also try spraying copiuos amounts of wd40 into the switch itself and see if that makes it any better, as I and others have said they are a complete faff to get in and out.

Dirty · 10-01-2014, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rage Monkey

but I don't use hammers for everything either.

If a hammer ain't fixing it you probably need a bigger hammer

11-01-2014, 09:46 PM

thanks again guys, I've drowned it in WD40 and the problem seems to have resolved, at least temporarily so hopefully its just the moisture demons that are causing the problems. Jonzi thanks for the offer, I've asked a Ducati mech and he reckons they are slightly different but the thought is very much appreciated.

08-01-2014, 10:01 PM	#1
Rage Monkey Guest Posts: n/a	Neutral Indicator Ow Do, First post and probably an obvious answer somewhere but can anyone shed some light on reasons why my neutral indicator is starting to light up very dimly while its in gear, its intermittent and sometimes happens in all gears sometimes in only a couple of them. I ride a 2002 750ie Dark, also can any of you recommend a decent mail order parts company for Ducati bits and pieces. Cheers guys.

09-01-2014, 08:43 AM	#3
Kato Dismantled Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: East Molesey Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,247	Sounds to me like the switch is about to fail, it a spring and plunger type switch, easy enough to replace and will cost around £25 from Ducati, no shims ....just a copper washer fits in the back of the engine on the right hand side Part No:- 539.1.021.1A __________________ "Political correctness is just intellectual colonialism and psychological fascism for the creation of thought crime" Last edited by Kato; 09-01-2014 at 08:46 AM..

10-01-2014, 02:59 PM	#6
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,095	This is a common failure with these switches. They're a bugger to get out/replace too! __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

10-01-2014, 03:34 PM	#7
jonzi Mary Mary Quite Contrary Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Berkhamsted Bike: M796 Posts: 1,398	If the one from a 600ss fits in to your bike then I can send you one that I think works, but has had the wires snipped off. it's only one, possibly two wires so could easily be soldered. If you want it (and I can find it) PM your address. __________________ #48

10-01-2014, 03:35 PM	#8
Flip Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Beachtown Bike: M900 Posts: 2,188	The switches are not the best to be honest, I replaced mine when the bike was about four or five years old and the second one didn't last that long so I gave up as you can always tell when the gearbox is in neutral anyway and I'd rather trust my 'feel' than a potentially dodgy switch with I hit the starter while it's on the side stand (no in-gear cut out on the early bikes remember). As Utopia says (on the early bikes at least) the switch was supplied with some shims to enable the switch to light at the correct time (I presume there must have been some tolerance issues with the engine cases?). __________________ You're perfect, yes, it's true- But without me you're only you!

08-01-2014, 11:28 PM	#2
utopia No turn left unstoned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: leicester Bike: M750 Posts: 4,561	I haven't had a close look at mine, but I believe that the neutral switch has shim-washers to adjust its position in/out of the cases. Could be that yours has worn slightly such that it needs re-shimming ......maybe.....? I'm only repeating what I've heard/read though.

09-01-2014, 10:44 AM	#4
slob . Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: East London Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 9,736	or moisture...

10-01-2014, 02:41 PM	#5
Rage Monkey Guest Posts: n/a	thanks guys I'll take a poke around there and see what I find, I'm not the most mechanically minded but I don't use hammers for everything either. I shall report back in due course. All the best.

10-01-2014, 04:37 PM	#10
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,095	Check the connection into the main loom and also try spraying copiuos amounts of wd40 into the switch itself and see if that makes it any better, as I and others have said they are a complete faff to get in and out. __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

11-01-2014, 09:46 PM	#12
Rage Monkey Guest Posts: n/a	thanks again guys, I've drowned it in WD40 and the problem seems to have resolved, at least temporarily so hopefully its just the moisture demons that are causing the problems. Jonzi thanks for the offer, I've asked a Ducati mech and he reckons they are slightly different but the thought is very much appreciated.