I had a problem with my bike died on the road a week ago. I tried to start it thinking it was me starting off in the wrong gear or too fast on the clutch. I went to start my bike at the gas station last Saturday and the fuel pump and eng light did not come on. I tried to start it and could not. I flicked the ignition back and forth about three times and on the fourth time it came on. I came home and played with it in the garage. I found that when the ignition comes on you can put a small amount of pressure on the key and it killed the ignition. Is something like this repairable, maybe clean with contact cleaner or is this a problem of a sealed unit gone bad?

 

Maybe, or a new switch, try cleaning first

 

Its a 2005 dynay low rider. HD wants 113 for a new one. I its a sealed unit so I can not get it apart. I tried spraying contact cleaner in it and it does not seem to help.

 

Check your ignition connection at the harness. It could be a bad/broken connection. If the connections look good, use a meter or a jumper wire and confirm your main harness is supplying power from the battery to the ignition. If that looks good, use a meter and check the ignition assembly. If its bad, you can replace with a stock ignition assembly. If your bike has a security fob, I would just get rid of the key and replace the ignition with a toggle switch and relay. No use paying the dealership for a new ignition if its just a bad connection. If it turns out to be a bad ignition switch you can scoop one up from New Castle HD for $85

https://shop.newcastlehd.com/part/71705-97

 

I bought one through my local dealer. It was 113 bucks but they want to see my DL and registration to get it matched to my keys. I don't have to check other places because its not a problem that is intermittent. Its in the key when inserted into the ignition. Once on a slight pressure on the key with one finger and it kills the engine without moving the key out of start. I do have to order a spanner wrench for the castle ring on the ignition. Anyone know what wrench I should order?

 

Look under the seat, pull the battery then you can access most of the backside of the switch where the wires are connected, check those wires also check for security of the switch to the frame. A good contact cleaning wouldn't hurt.

 

This is typical of a broken electrical connection.