3 hours in freezing gargage

[chalky4]

...... to strip down and service the front brake, pistons seized and pins a nightmare but the real problem was bleeding it following a complete fluid change, I haven't pumped so long in ages!!!! Still its done now and works fine.
Now the next problem....CAN ANYONE HELP. The diode in the fuse box is floating around attached to nothing, I have located the wires it needs soldering to but which way does the diode go, I cant see any markings that say current flows this way. Soooo close to finishing the project and start to enjoy the fruits of my labour but stumped with this problem
1988 XL 600VJ

[Lutin]

Can you post a picture of the diode? They usually have a mark to indicate the lead that needs connecting to the negative wire, ie ground.

It appears, from the Haynes manual, that you should have two wires - one dark green with orange and the other light green with orange, is this what you have??


Okay, had another think about this. This diode is part of the circuit that will not allow you to start the bike unless it is in neutral. So, connect the diode - and if the neutral light does not come on then connect the diode the other way round. Job done.

[ChrisH]

I haven't pumped so long in ages!!!! Still its done now and works fine.

Just as a note for anyone else stuck like that - I connected a plastic pipe to the bleed nipple and sucked carefully so as not to get a mouthful of brake fluid til fluid started to appear in the pipe, then bled in the normal way to get the final air bubbles out and it was totally straight forward and easy I think it possible to make up something using a jam jar and 2 pipes so you don't take a chance of getting brake fluid in the mouth.... works anyway.

[Lutin]

Just as a note for anyone else stuck like that - I connected a plastic pipe to the bleed nipple and sucked carefully so as not to get a mouthful of brake fluid til fluid started to appear in the pipe, then bled in the normal way to get the final air bubbles out and it was totally straight forward and easy I think it possible to make up something using a jam jar and 2 pipes so you don't take a chance of getting brake fluid in the mouth.... works anyway.

A big syringe works just as well - and less chance of poisoning!!

[ChrisH]

A big syringe works just as well - and less chance of poisoning!!

Just what I had in the garage at the time - don't keep big syringes handy but maybe I'll get one for next time.... cheaper than those vacuum bleeding kits.

[chalky4]

Good tips on the bleeding matter, should make life easier next time thank you, might get a strange look asking the doctor for a large syringe though

The diode problem i'll have a look when I get off duty, if its not too cold tonight, and check out Lutins suggestion re the neutral light, it makes perfect sense but you have to know why the diode is there in the 1st place, which I didn't. Live and Learn, i think i will make this my new motto