[uvellani]

Getting my '08 AVL Electra X back on the road after a few months in storage and found a few issues.

Clogged pilot jet(dies without choke). I will clean the carb out thoroughly. Is the accepted practice to empty out the carb before putting it away for long periods?
Also it won't start in neutral. The neutral light comes on but I have to pull the clutch to start it. Would this be a neutral switch problem or simply wiring issues since the light comes on? I cannot remember now, but I think it was working fine the last time I rode it. And where is the neutral switch on this model? Is it inside the gear box?

Looking for some helpful pointers so I don't get it deeper than I have to.

Thanks
-uv

[Adrian II]

Is the accepted practice to empty out the carb before putting it away for long periods?

Yes.

And where is the neutral switch on this model? Is it inside the gear box?

It's on the back of the gearbox, there's a quite thin plastic hex head to it for unscrewing it, I managed to find an A/F box spanner the right size.



The sticking neutral light switch thing used to happen with mine, too. I seem to recall from the wiring diagram in the shop manual that it's in parallel with the clutch switch, so just pulling in the clutch will be fine until you get it sorted.

A.

[uvellani]

I will take a look at the switch and see if I can sort out the issue.

Thanks
-uv

[tooseevee]

I will take a look at the switch and see if I can sort out the issue.

Thanks
-uv

           I wired a small Bosch (doesn't have to be Bosch) relay between the starter button and the large Main Starter Relay (which is an aftermarket better quality than the OEM) to help minimize arcing on the Starter Button contact points. Although I've used it sparingly since new, I want to know the damn starter circuit is there if I need it in traffic for some reason or other. It seemed to make perfect contact every time after I put that small starter contacts relay in. THE Most Important Thing, as you know of course, is a tiptop battery at all times. That's # One.   

[axman88]

Also it won't start in neutral. The neutral light comes on but I have to pull the clutch to start it. Would this be a neutral switch problem or simply wiring issues since the light comes on?

The wiring diagram I have ( I don't have one for your model year) shows that the neutral sensor grounds when in neutral.  The ( brown? ) wire goes to a junction where it heads off in three directions, to the neutral indicator lamp, to the ECU ( which I guess doesn't apply to your machine), and to the clutch handle where it should act to ground the starting relay if the clutch handle is not pulled in.

Since starting in neutral is not working, that could mean,
     Bad connection between brown wire junction and Clutch switch
     Bad contact inside Clutch switch
     Neutral switch connection is providing a good enough connection to light the indicator but not letting enough power through to let the starting relay pull in.

On my 2012, the neutral sensor is not a plunger switch with internal contacts, it's just a copper plated tip, sticking down into the gearbox where it's supposed to make contact with an oily, perhaps dirty, perhaps corroded surface that is somehow grounded.  It's a bit sketchy.

[Paul W]

I assume your bike has the separate, 5 speed gearbox. The neutral switch plunger makes the contact for the light when it aligns with a detent on the rear side of the gear cam plate.

[uvellani]

Yes, the separate 5 speed box. For now I haven't gotten around to fixing this. I normally kickstart, so it's not urgent.

But I am curious about what you said about the neutral light. I assume the wiring for the light is separate from the neutral cutoff circuitry for the starter motor. Because the green neutral light works fine for me. It's just the starter that doesn't work in neutral.

Thanks
-uv

[Electra Steve]

Hi. Don't know if this is relevant but my Electra would not start without the clutch in until I changed the relay for a different reason. I now starts in neutral without the clutch or in gear with the clutch. I did not touch the neutral sensor, it just happened. Don't you love electrics?

[Paul W]

Yes, the separate 5 speed box. For now I haven't gotten around to fixing this. I normally kickstart, so it's not urgent.

But I am curious about what you said about the neutral light. I assume the wiring for the light is separate from the neutral cutoff circuitry for the starter motor. Because the green neutral light works fine for me. It's just the starter that doesn't work in neutral.

Thanks
-uv

The neutral light wire to the switch is a live and is connected to the battery through the ignition switch. It earths through the gearbox, completing the circuit. Presumably when the circuit is made, putting the neutral light on, it also closes a relay for the starter motor.

[Paul W]

I might have had a brain fade regarding the above...
In retrospect I might be confusing between this and the 4 speed box. The 5 speed might have both a live and an earth connection and contact might be made via the end of the switch being moved by the detent; so the circuit doesn’t earth through the gearbox casing.