Ignition switch failed
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 17
From: South East
Ignition switch failed
Yesterday I was cruising on the highway and suddenly lost power and realized that I lost all my electrical system, then stopped on the highway's shoulder and tried to reset everything by rotating the ignition switch to off and back to ignition/lights but it was stuck on lights, even being stuck I noticed that the switch was a bit loosen, it had more play than usual, even being locked on lights position i was able to force a little bit upwards to make electrical contact again, running again it lost electrical again sometimes due to vibrations but thankfully I already knew what was going on, just forcing the switch upwards a little bit did the job.
At home I was disassembling the switch from the support plate and magical it unlocked by itself, dunno what the freak happened but now it's "working" again but as I mentioned above it's loosen, so it doesn't offer resistance to switching like before so I don't wanna ride again without replacing or repairing it because I know it will cause electrical contact issues with vibrations.
Disassembled the entire switch and everything looked fine for me, It's cheap to replace but I would like to know if anybody experienced this, my switch is almost 30 years old and I suspect something is happening with the roller bar spring, maybe dislocated from it's original position, not sure, the spring is the only part I was unable to extract from the assemble.
At home I was disassembling the switch from the support plate and magical it unlocked by itself, dunno what the freak happened but now it's "working" again but as I mentioned above it's loosen, so it doesn't offer resistance to switching like before so I don't wanna ride again without replacing or repairing it because I know it will cause electrical contact issues with vibrations.
Disassembled the entire switch and everything looked fine for me, It's cheap to replace but I would like to know if anybody experienced this, my switch is almost 30 years old and I suspect something is happening with the roller bar spring, maybe dislocated from it's original position, not sure, the spring is the only part I was unable to extract from the assemble.
Last edited by davicico; Jul 25, 2022 at 12:53 PM.
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 469
Likes: 158
From: Alberta
No reason to run with key in the ignition. Keep it in your pocket and just use when you want to lock it. If you get stuck, just remove the switch entirely and then I think you could use a flat head screwdriver to rotate the bottom portion of the switch to run the bike or is that where the problem is. Some years of these bikes had an ignition recall, but I don't know the particulars what was involved. I know my bike still has an open ignition recall, but I've never had any problems and doubt 24 yrs later HD would fix it.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 17
From: South East
Eres un gańán! 
Already did
nineties Fat Boy
It's a softail so it's the rotating **** mounted on the tank, key is only used to lock or unlock.
I have my old switch off the bike, it just rotates well but it doesn't offer the same resistance than previously, already mounted a new one, I suspect something went wrong to the spring because it locked itself the day it failed for no reason, just riding, and after that it magical unlocked, now it's not like before anymore.
Well, it lasted almost 30 years, good stuff
Already did
nineties Fat Boy
No reason to run with key in the ignition. Keep it in your pocket and just use when you want to lock it. If you get stuck, just remove the switch entirely and then I think you could use a flat head screwdriver to rotate the bottom portion of the switch to run the bike or is that where the problem is. Some years of these bikes had an ignition recall, but I don't know the particulars what was involved. I know my bike still has an open ignition recall, but I've never had any problems and doubt 24 yrs later HD would fix it.
I have my old switch off the bike, it just rotates well but it doesn't offer the same resistance than previously, already mounted a new one, I suspect something went wrong to the spring because it locked itself the day it failed for no reason, just riding, and after that it magical unlocked, now it's not like before anymore.
Well, it lasted almost 30 years, good stuff
Last edited by davicico; Jul 31, 2022 at 06:28 PM.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,007
Likes: 7,541
From: Poolville
This is why I carry a 12 gauge jumper wire with 2 male spade connectors for my Softail ignition.. They are prone to breaking due to the solid mount motor vibrations. If you do get stranded all you need is a 1/2" wrench to remove the dash nut and install the jumper and your back on your way.. Easy Peasey....
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
steve. m
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
9
Apr 11, 2016 08:23 PM
markuhen
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
1
Jul 4, 2006 06:11 PM
