Big Red Reverse light problem

[MFW]

Reverse light on my Big Red never worked since I bought it from the previous owner. I changed out the bulb and nothing. For some reason the guy rigged it so you don't have to press down on the R button and pull in. The break. Would this cause the light not to work? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Matt

[Flyingw]

On the bottom of the clutch cover, there is a small cover. Remove the small cover with a 10mm socket. Under that cover you will find a wire harness with two connectors molded in to one piece. The front one is for the Reverse light and the back one is for the Neutral light. That connector is connected to two single ground switches. One of two things has happened, either the copper nub that makes the electrical connection on the inside of the motor has worn down or the wire connector is faulty. I would first unplug the connector and clean the socket. You can take a piece of wire and stick it in the socket and short it to ground and that should turn the light on just as a test of the circuit. If that doesn't work, follow the wire harness across the front of the swingarm to the left side of the frame by the solenoid and check the connections where it connects to the main harness. If that looks good then your switch that screwed in to the clutch cover may be bad. There is also a short harness the light sockets are connected to. Follow that harness down to where it connects to the main harness and check those connections. This would be under the headlight. Check the double connector on the clutch cover first.

[MFW]

Thank you kind sir. I will take a look and see what I can find.

Matt

[Flyingw]

You are most welcome. The ground switch for reverse has but one purpose, to turn on the reverse light indicating you are in reverse. The neutral ground switch not only turns on the light but also provides a ground to the starter solenoid to enable it.

[MFW]

Well, i pulled that cover off and couldn't believe all the mud,grease,water and gunk in that spot. So, I degreased the area rinsed it off and cleaned the connectors. WORKS LIKE A CHAMP! Also, FlyingW I got that carb that you rebuilt for me and it looks great. The trike fired up right away which it had a hard time before doing when it was cold. I will be sending you the carb off of it for rebuild.

Matt

[Flyingw]

AWESOME!!! Glad to hear. Let me know when its on its way.

[Keepah Rolln]

Would this be the same as a 85 sx..minus the bypass part. I got another one and the reverse light dont work but i found a bunch of fuses in the trunk area?? Not sure if that has anything to do with it..I would say check my fuses..lol

[bigred22]

On the bottom of the clutch cover, there is a small cover. Remove the small cover with a 10mm socket. Under that cover you will find a wire harness with two connectors molded in to one piece. The front one is for the Reverse light and the back one is for the Neutral light. That connector is connected to two single ground switches. One of two things has happened, either the copper nub that makes the electrical connection on the inside of the motor has worn down or the wire connector is faulty. I would first unplug the connector and clean the socket. You can take a piece of wire and stick it in the socket and short it to ground and that should turn the light on just as a test of the circuit. If that doesn't work, follow the wire harness across the front of the swingarm to the left side of the frame by the solenoid and check the connections where it connects to the main harness. If that looks good then your switch that screwed in to the clutch cover may be bad. There is also a short harness the light sockets are connected to. Follow that harness down to where it connects to the main harness and check those connections. This would be under the headlight. Check the double connector on the clutch cover first.

thanks flyingw.......you prompted me to take a look at the plug sockets at the clutch cover on my 250es that was having a no reverse light issue, turned out my reverse socket had worked off the plug, re crimped the socket and reconnected it and its working fine now..............

[Flyingw]

Would this be the same as a 85 sx..minus the bypass part. I got another one and the reverse light dont work but i found a bunch of fuses in the trunk area?? Not sure if that has anything to do with it..I would say check my fuses..lol

The fuses have nothing to do with the reverse light. The fuses are to protect the entire harness and the accessory circuits. if it starts and runs, its not the fuses.