NC35 RVF400 Neutral Light and Engine Shut Off Issues

[Jibber]

Hi all, here's the problem:

First issue: My bike starts when the neutral light is on and the stand is down, however it won't start with the clutch in and the stand up - is it supposed to do this?

Second: When I do get the bike started it will idle away in neutral but as soon as I change it into gear the engine shuts off (yes the stand is up and the stand light is off).

Help would be greatly appreciated.

[magg]

Yes, engine should start with stand up and clutch in. From your description, it sounds like the "stand up" signal is missing, although you appear to be getting the "stand down" signal as the lamp illuminates. Suggest you check the side stand switch to make sure there is an earth on the green/white wire when the stand is up.

[Jibber]

I can see the green/white wire, how do I check if there's an earth?

[magg]

The easy way is to use a multimeter, otherwise a lamp and battery can form a simple continuity tester. Do you have a multimeter.

[Jibber]

I used a multimeter and checked the continuity of the stand switch at the wire harness connection under the tank. All seems to be working properly, stand up and stand down. What I noticed was that when I pull the clutch lever in, the stand light comes on...this is probably why it shuts down the engine if I go to select a gear or start with the clutch in. Thoughts?

[magg]

Was the bike in neutral when you pulled the clutch in and the stand light illuminated.

[Jibber]

Yes, it was...when a gear is selected it doesn't do it.

[magg]

I suspect that the side stand switch is either stuffed or somehow incorrectly connected. Just to confirm, when the stand is down there is continuity between the green and yellow/black and no continuity between green and green/white. With stand up there is no continuity between the green and yellow/black and continuity between green and green/white. Finally there is continuity between the green and the chassis always.

[Jibber]

All correct. Wouldn't this mean that the switch is working properly? Could it be something to do with the clutch diode? Tomorrow I will try bypassing the stand switch and see how that goes.

[magg]

That was to be my next suggestion, green/white connected to green. Do you need a side stand switch. Part of the puzzle is why the side stand lamp illuminates when you pull the clutch lever in. The side stand lamp gets its earth from the side stand switch, it has no other connections. When did this problem start.