A forum for owners of Yamaha TTR250 trail and enduro bikes!

Had a new issue this weekend that I've not come across before. Thought I'd share it:

For some time now, my neutral light has glowed dimly  whatever gear I was in, in wet weather. Came on brightly in neutral as normal. I just assumed it was damp causing a mild short across the neutral switch which is frequently covered in mud, with the added factor of my warning light being a green led. I went out this weekend in heavy rain and it was glowing as usual, then about 10 miles in, I noticed the led glowing brightly every time I pulled in the clutch. No problems with starting the bike in gear or in neutral, just annoying.

I got home and started pulling things apart, starting at the front checking the clutch switch for correct operation and no shorts to earth. Disconnected the neutral switch wire and the problem persisted - not a muddy switch then! I eventually got to the diode (funny little cuboid thingy under the seat/left hand side panel, which is part of the engine start inhibitor system) unwrapped it's "waterproof" tape wrapping to find mud, water and general grot all round the connector. Cleaned it all off and dried it out. No glow from the light when in gear. Result. Wish I'd done this years ago! But the led still flashes on with the clutch pulled. Put the diode from my other bike on and bingo, it all works properly again. So my diode had blown. Never had that before. You live and learn.