GL1800 Reverse issues

[robokp66]

Hello,
I own a 2001 Goldwing GL1800 which now has 100,000 miles on her. I am a tad handicapped with left leg / foot injuries so when ever I have to back up, I NEED to use the reverse button which up until now- has not had an issue. BUT just two weeks ago I placed an order for a Motor Trike Razor trike kit and it will be installed as soon as they can ship it to the east coast. My bike must have heard that she will be having a "cosmetic operation" because just two days ago I pressed that reverse button and it just did NOTHING at all, the light went on BUT that was all that happened. SO I had to push the bike back a bit the best that I could and park it out of the way. The next day I went for a ride, tried the reverse and it worked. Now the reverse will work sometimes and at times not, I was told that the reverse works off of the starter so I am a bit worried that it might not start next. Does anyone now about a reverse issue and what I need to do to correct it with out spending thousands of dollars on it?? I would be very happy to hear from anyone who might know how to fix this issue- Thank You!!

[bayoudave]

My guess would be that the switch has a little corrosion issue. Goldwing switches are commonly plagued with dirt and grim issues. I would suggest that you get some contact cleaner, can be found at Radio Shack, and clean the switch. Hope this helps.

[Techdude2000]

Hello,
I own a 2001 Goldwing GL1800 which now has 100,000 miles on her. I am a tad handicapped with left leg / foot injuries so when ever I have to back up, I NEED to use the reverse button which up until now- has not had an issue. BUT just two weeks ago I placed an order for a Motor Trike Razor trike kit and it will be installed as soon as they can ship it to the east coast. My bike must have heard that she will be having a "cosmetic operation" because just two days ago I pressed that reverse button and it just did NOTHING at all, the light went on BUT that was all that happened. SO I had to push the bike back a bit the best that I could and park it out of the way. The next day I went for a ride, tried the reverse and it worked. Now the reverse will work sometimes and at times not, I was told that the reverse works off of the starter so I am a bit worried that it might not start next. Does anyone now about a reverse issue and what I need to do to correct it with out spending thousands of dollars on it?? I would be very happy to hear from anyone who might know how to fix this issue- Thank You!!

Did you by chance have the side stand down? It won't backup if it's down. Usually if it's a dirty switch, you won't get the reverse light on.

[wingrider24]

RoBokp66, did you get your issue fixed? If so, what did you find out. I have a 2001 GL1800 Goldwing and today the reverse light would not come on. I tried several times and it finally came on and worked fine. The next time, the light would not come on and no reverse. Several times later, the light came on and it worked. Now I can't get the light on and it will not work. Maybe your fix might help me. Thanks.

[Techdude2000]

RoBokp66, did you get your issue fixed? If so, what did you find out. I have a 2001 GL1800 Goldwing and today the reverse light would not come on. I tried several times and it finally came on and worked fine. The next time, the light would not come on and no reverse. Several times later, the light came on and it worked. Now I can't get the light on and it will not work. Maybe your fix might help me. Thanks.

Try lubing the actuator cables with cable lube. They are located under the right side chrome engine cover(oil dip stick) near the top rear of the engine. After you spray some lube on them, turn on the key and cycle them about 5 or 6 times using the reverse system switch. Make sure you get a good neutral light on and a good reverse light on every time they cycle.

[buffdaddy55]

techdude: do you disconnect the cables or just spray it on? I have reverse issues with my '02-1800

[Techdude2000]

Just spray it on them and cycle the actuator from neutral to reverse and back to neutral about 5 times. Make sure you get a good reverse light and good neutral light every time. If it still doesn't work correctly, the cables may need to be adjusted.

[Rwhite1968]

I also have a 2005 1800 and when I change the air filter the reverse light will not come on I’ve tried spraying cleaner on the switch tried leaving the actuator cables nothing seems to work is there something by the air filter that I might have unplugged or a wire loose

[Techdude2000]

I also have a 2005 1800 and when I change the air filter the reverse light will not come on I’ve tried spraying cleaner on the switch tried leaving the actuator cables nothing seems to work is there something by the air filter that I might have unplugged or a wire loose

What does it do when you push the reverse shift switch? Noises, lights, anything? Are you getting a solid neural light?

[DaveO430]

Did you unplug the cruise/reverse control module? It's on top of the air cleaner. Does the cruise work?

[Rwhite1968]

I also have a 2005 1800 and when I change the air filter the reverse light will not come on I’ve tried spraying cleaner on the switch tried leaving the actuator cables nothing seems to work is there something by the air filter that I might have unplugged or a wire loose

What does it do when you push the reverse shift switch? Noises, lights, anything? Are you getting a solid neural light?

The neutral light goes out I hear a clicking under the seat for just a second yes I get a solid neutral light when I push it again just not a reverse light does not go into reverse Everything else seems to work cruise control hazard lights everything on that side of the handle bar

[Rwhite1968]

The clik comes from behind the right saddlebag

[Techdude2000]

The clik comes from behind the right saddlebag

Ok, first thing to check is a possible bent pin on the cruise/reverse control module plugs. Do you still have the shelter off?

[Rwhite1968]

No I do not guess I can pull it back off Friday where is that part located?

[Techdude2000]

No I do not guess I can pull it back off Friday where is that part located?

It’s on the top of the bracket that holds the ECM. It is black with two plugs on the left side, the ECM is just below it with 3 plugs on it. If it checks out, then pull the relay rails out of their cover under the seat and unplug the relays one at a time and plug them back in, then try it again.

[Rwhite1968]

I pulled the relays out and plug them back in one at a time and that did not help I will try the other Friday if I can get off work tomorrow I’ll try it tomorrow

[Rwhite1968]

Thank you I don’t know what was wrong but when I pulled it all back apart unplugged all the ECM and control module for the cruise and plug it all back in it started working Could not tell if a plug was bent or not but working better now

[DaveO430]

I never unplug those things when doing an air filter, just lay them over out of the way, mounting bracket and all.

[Rwhite1968]

I pulled the cowl back off to put a new glove box lid on did not unplug the cruise control or ECM or reverse plugs now it’s doing the same thing again the reverse light will not come on is there something near that could be shorted out or a loose ground

[DaveO430]

Have a good look at the connectors to the control unit, sometimes a terminal will get pushed back out of a connector and not make good contact. Also look at the pins in the control unit and make sure they are all straight.

[Rwhite1968]

Everything looks good there . I accidentally touched some wires on the top right side of the faring there are three plugs with a lot of wires going through them and the reverse light came on so I unplugged those plugs one at a time and they were full of dirt maybe a dirt dauber her sand of some kind and all in around all the plugs clean those out put them back together everything works as it should Thanks for all the help