Hot ignition switch
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 777
Likes: 45
From: Beaumont, Ca
Hot ignition switch
Is there any reason why the ignition switch on my 2000 Heritage Springer would get super hot? And this is only after running the engine for about 10-12 minutes, in the shade. You can barely touch the switch with bare hands. Is something not right with the switch?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,081
Likes: 1,127
From:
Questions like this sound simple but can get complex quickly.
Are you the original owner and is the bike factory stock?
Once a bike has changed hands or an owner has changed items then things get a little more difficult to provide diagnosis without any parameters.
For starters i would remove console and take a look at backside of switch and the wiring.
I would also review motorcycle wiring for the headlight and tail light.
For the switch to get hot there could possibly be a large current demand running through the switch or a bad connection.
Are you the original owner and is the bike factory stock?
Once a bike has changed hands or an owner has changed items then things get a little more difficult to provide diagnosis without any parameters.
For starters i would remove console and take a look at backside of switch and the wiring.
I would also review motorcycle wiring for the headlight and tail light.
For the switch to get hot there could possibly be a large current demand running through the switch or a bad connection.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 777
Likes: 45
From: Beaumont, Ca
I bought this bike in June. It was highly modified, including a total light kit (activated by a fob), electronic ignition with rev limiter, ported CNC SE heads, and six speed transmission. It started life as an 88 ci, but is now 107 ci. I will be taking off the console to see if anything is readily visible. There are no other signs coming from the switch, except for the too hot to touch surface.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,143
Likes: 12,707
From: South Carolina
The amperage an extra light kit would draw would be less than 15 amps, or the lights fuse would blow.
I suspect the issue is a bad connection in the switch.
While you have the dash off to check the ignition switch, inspect the connector and check the wires that run between the connector and the fuses.
I suspect the issue is a bad connection in the switch.
While you have the dash off to check the ignition switch, inspect the connector and check the wires that run between the connector and the fuses.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2020
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From: So Calif
I would disconnect the lights first and see if that makes a difference. If so, you may need to run them from a relay.
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 777
Likes: 45
From: Beaumont, Ca
I also have a 2006 Heritage Classic softail, totally stock. Not a thing done to it. I ran it today, in the garage, under the same conditions as I did with my Springer, and lo and behold, the ignition switch also gets hot. Since most of us just touch the switch momentarily, and while wearing gloves, we may not be aware that those switches do get hot. Since the tank on the Classic was hot, I think the heat radiates upward from the engine..