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1989 BMW R100RT - Neutral Switch Removal and Replacement

b25bsaboy

New member
Good afternoon,

Just noticed that my neutral light transmission switch is leaking again. In order to remove this varmint, do you have to remove the whole transmission?
 
If you're already planning on replacing it, might be worth to just try and snug it up. I was already to replace mine last week and after I cleaned the whole area up I decided to see what would happen if I just tried tightening it ever so slightly. It worked!
It seems everywhere you look there are people cautioning about over-tightening these (good advice indeed, DAMHIK) but I think sometimes they can use a LITTLE more torque to stay sealed properly.
 
Don't they usually leak through the plastic insert and onto the spade connector? I read somewhere here where guys bought new ones and sealed them all up with JB Weld before installing to correct this more permanently. Seems to be a very common occurrence with these switches.

oooops, all is explained on snowbums site! :thumb
 
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+1 on cleaning it up then snugging it up

If that doesn't help, JB weld the plastic part on the new one.
20k miles & no leaks :dance
<a href="http://s1089.photobucket.com/user/brittrunyon/media/ZED/PB142545.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i358/brittrunyon/ZED/PB142545.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo PB142545.jpg"/></a>
 
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Good afternoon,

Just noticed that my neutral light transmission switch is leaking again. In order to remove this varmint, do you have to remove the whole transmission?

Thank you for all that responded, but the question was, do you have to remove the whole transmission to get at it? Or is there enough room to drop it without taking the whole transmission out?
 
do you have to remove the whole transmission to get at it?

The short of it. No. Pull the rear engine mount bolt and remove the spacer.

Here's a more complete description of the process (half way down the page) > http://jhau.maliwi.de/mot/r80gs.html

neutralswitch1.jpg
neutralswitch2.jpg


A past thread you might find helpful > http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?2374-Nuetral-Indicater-Light-Switch&highlight=leaking
 
Rick -

No, but at the very least I think you have to remove the frame spacer. Once removed and after the switch change, bevel the edges of the spacer, put it in the freezer, and then when ready, quickly put it in place. Snowbum talks about it here about mid way down:

http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/neutralswitch.htm
 
The short of it. No. Pull the rear engine mount bolt and remove the spacer.

Here's a more complete description of the process (half way down the page) > http://jhau.maliwi.de/mot/r80gs.html

neutralswitch1.jpg
neutralswitch2.jpg


A past thread you might find helpful > http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?2374-Nuetral-Indicater-Light-Switch&highlight=leaking

Lew,

Just in from the shop and did exactly what you advised. Worked like a dream, put the spacer into the freezer and I am on my way to get some JB Weld. Cleaned the electrical ends with some brake cleaner and air dried.

Guess this is one of the main reasons I like this board and club, as people are willing to share their knowledge. The last British Triumph Bonnie is now in Hong Kong and I will be starting to finish my 76 R75/6.

Lew, Thank you again for the direction and advise!:):wave
 
Bitte. It's been posted here before Rick, I just have good memory (for a while longer anyway).

And as Kurt mentioned...

Did what Lew said, "The short of it. No. Pull the rear engine mount bolt and remove the spacer."

Here is a picture of the neutral light switch after the JB Weld treatment. Before i put the spacer back in, replaced the battery to make sure that that the neutral light is working on the dash. The last thing I needed was to take it apart again!:banghead
 

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Lew!

The short of it. No. Pull the rear engine mount bolt and remove the spacer.

Here's a more complete description of the process (half way down the page) > http://jhau.maliwi.de/mot/r80gs.html

neutralswitch1.jpg
neutralswitch2.jpg


A past thread you might find helpful > http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?2374-Nuetral-Indicater-Light-Switch&highlight=leaking

Geeze Lew! You better change that leaking neutral switch....

I have the rear exhaust crossover on mine (R80RT). It's a bear even with the engine mount spacer tube pulled back...With a lot of patience, it's doable without removing the crossover pipe.
 
Exhaust

Okay, I have never worked on a bike newer than an 84. Isn't the crossover, "box" for the post 85 exhaust in the way? I take it the exhaust has to be removed? Just curious. St.
 
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