1985 250ES no Neutral light issues/ no electric start

[nomad2112]

I'm pretty new to this but have been trying to troubleshoot this problem for awhile now by reading through forum posts, etc. I'm still stumped. Big Red starts and runs great with the kick start. While running the neutral light lights up, but it flickers and dims when giving it gas and reving up. (same with headlights) No neutral light or starter action with the electric start.
I have a new charged battery, new starter solenoid, and new neutral switch. grounds have been cleaned and other wires and fuses checked. the starter button works, and ignition switch works. I'm at a loss as to what to do next. The starter turns if I directly wire it to battery and it cranks up fine that way. I thought it was the neutral switch so replaced it, but even if i ground the neutral switch wire I get no light. But only lights up after cranked with the kicker.
If the cdi was messed up would it be able to start at all? I'm not sure what to do next. Thanks in advance to any replies.

[tri again]

You did everything right.
and welcome.

Neutral light should light with key on and neutral safety switch wire dead grounded to the engine.

but it doesn't?

ok, let's see where it goes.

You DO know that , well, I have an 85 br with all 4 ignition wires hanging in thin air and it will start and run with a kick so there is some sort of 2 independent start(able) type circuits.

I'm guessing you have a wire diagram?
shop manuals are free under 'world class help' section.

Let me go lock up and think about this.

Been thru it at least 5 times.

Maybe someone else will get it before I get back.

Someone else had dim lights on revving here in the last few days
but I forget if he post the fix.

Lots of times, things get fixed and they take off and we never know the ending.

You'll get it.

We always do.

[muthey]

you might have a bad voltage rectifier, or there is a fuse you haven't found yet, best option is to follow the wires from the battery through the whole machine. can always be an issue with a broken wire somewhere as well. Have you checked for voltage at the starter button when the key is on or have you checked all the wires at your key?

[oldtoys72]

On the left side near the battery there is a small rectangular black box I guess I will call it, its about 2" long and 3/4" of an inch wide, in it is an old what I call a fork style fuse, "don't know proper name" when I got my last big red the electri start didn't work and the guy and wired a different push button starter to the dash,anyways I went through the wiring and when I replaced that fuse BOOM the electric start worked properly using the stock switch! Hope this helps.

[nomad2112]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm going to work it a bit more this weekend and I'll post on any progress.

[atc007]

The usual problem is the 2 wires in under the oil filter,N And R switches,,they get knocked loose,you lose your light wala. You said you replaced the switch,,,I've never seen one go bad. So I assume you have nice tight connections down there. So,It's the fuse : )