[pugetsoundsailer]

I ran a ground wire to the neutral wire in the gear selector plug while it was plugged in and I get a neutral light, it starts without the clutch and the reverse system works, so it's the gear selector. I've got one of these switches off of a 1200 somewhere around here wonder if they are the same......... Thanks for all the help, learned a lot about these bikes in the process. I'll post when it's repaired....

 

[redwing52]

I ran a ground wire to the neutral wire in the gear selector plug while it was plugged in and I get a neutral light, it starts without the clutch and the reverse system works, so it's the gear selector. I've got one of these switches off of a 1200 somewhere around here wonder if they are the same......... Thanks for all the help, learned a lot about these bikes in the process. I'll post when it's repaired....

I'm going to really go out on a limb here and I get in trouble A LOT. I bet the switches are different.

 

[DBohrer]

With that additional ground wire, the reverse relay switch will always have a "load" ground in (neutral and all gears).

The engine would start in all gears (without the clutch pulled in). Not good.........!!

You don't want to be starting the bike in gear without the clutch pulled in.

What you did was ok for a TEST only............!!

You may have a faulty test meter. In post # 11 you said "no continuity to ground" in any of the gears. Then in post # 18, you said there was continuity to ground in the gears.

Its important to be working with a good test meter. It helps us help you...!

Anyway, I am glad you got it all figured out.

I ran a ground wire to the neutral wire in the gear selector plug while it was plugged in and I get a neutral light,

 

[DBohrer]

Not the same............!!

I ran a ground wire to the neutral wire in the gear selector plug while it was plugged in and I get a neutral light, it starts without the clutch and the reverse system works, so it's the gear selector. I've got one of these switches off of a 1200 somewhere around here wonder if they are the same......... Thanks for all the help, learned a lot about these bikes in the process. I'll post when it's repaired....

 

[Bike...and Dennis]

Why don't you just get one from your dealer?

 

[DBohrer]

The 1988 - 1989 uses the same gear position switch part # 35759-MN5-003. (No longer available from Honda)

The 1990 - 1997 uses the same gear position switch part # 35759-MY4-000. (Available from Honda)

The 1998 - 2000 uses the same gear position switch part # 35759-MAM-A81. (Available from Honda)

Possible to find one for the 1988 in stock at a Honda dealership (but very doubtful). Its not a frequent fail item....!

Lets hope you just find a broken (bad connection) on that light green/red wire and the sensor is actually good.

 

[Matt G]

I just went thru this with my 88, I used a switch from a 90 and it fit and worked fine,
http://www.goldwingfacts.com/forums...-neutral-switch-differences.html?#post4642785

 

[Erdeniz Umman]

I think you are trying the reverse when engine is not running, right? Reverse works only when the engine is running if 88s are the same as other models.

 

[AZgl1800]

I think you are trying the reverse when engine is not running, right? Reverse works only when the engine is running if 88s are the same as other models.

My '94SE would run in Reverse w/o the engine running, however it taxed the battery pretty good and I made it a practice to always have the engine running at about 2000 rpm to make sure that I could "go when I needed to".