ignition switch for 88 dresser
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh.nc
ignition switch for 88 dresser
Posted in the new and dresser forums. Thought I'd give the evo one a try as well. I'm looking for an ignition switch for a 1988 dresser. Mine decided to crap out on me Friday getting ready to ride to the Brickyard 400. This is the second one since 1989 when I bought the dresser. I know that the dealers are a closed end, and that the vintage is also a closed end. Ebay and most other google sites are dead ends as well. Any one have a basket case 1988 or 87 that they want to sell me the switch, or have any ideas how to run something different from another year? Entertaining any and all ideas.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 957
Likes: 2
From: Carlsbad Springs Ontario
Harley switches are usually very stout units . Suggest you clean out all your switches with a shot of WD 40 or whatever you prefer .
Disconnect the bat. shoot cleaner into each switch and cycle the switch until clear fluid drains out . Let dry overnight or blow out with compressed air if available.
Disconnect the bat. shoot cleaner into each switch and cycle the switch until clear fluid drains out . Let dry overnight or blow out with compressed air if available.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh.nc
I've been on the dealer network with two local dealers, as well as, Harley customer Service 800 line and no one in the world has this part. Harley customer service does not have any answers to an alternative solution. Drag laughed at us at the Burlington NC dealer when they called, J & P has nothing for faring mounted switches, google the part # and nothing comes up, not even an alternative usable part. Ray used parts has never had this part, I know Jerry very well who runs Ray's used store, and I'm always looking for parts to stock up on. Cleaning out the switch is not going to happen, it is a sealed unit, no way to get insde, I learned this when my first switch went bad 7 years ago, that was the first thing we attempted was to take the darn thing apart and clean/ repair whatever it was that caused the short.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 226
I'd try to get the oldest switch you can from HD - say from a 97 or 98 E Glide. Then compare them and modify your harness as needed to make the new switch work.
Or, remove the old switch, get a generic ignition switch and mount it somewhaere else , break out the wiring schematic in the back of the shop manual and extend the wires to the new swich and modify as needed to mamake it work.
I had an 89FLHT for many years and I was able to get a replacement swithc from a dealer for it , ut that was over 7 years ago. I know it was a complete PIA to find one then and short of getting a good one from a donor bike, I do not see an easy way to be able to by a new or remanufactured one.
Or, remove the old switch, get a generic ignition switch and mount it somewhaere else , break out the wiring schematic in the back of the shop manual and extend the wires to the new swich and modify as needed to mamake it work.
I had an 89FLHT for many years and I was able to get a replacement swithc from a dealer for it , ut that was over 7 years ago. I know it was a complete PIA to find one then and short of getting a good one from a donor bike, I do not see an easy way to be able to by a new or remanufactured one.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 957
Likes: 2
From: Carlsbad Springs Ontario
Your not hearing me ... you dont have to dissasemble any switches , just shoot the cleaning fluid into the switch , cycle the switch , let dry . Test switch.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 606
From:
these switches for the year in question are sealed. you can't squirt anything in them.... it's not possible. they aren't available anywhere. i know about his pain, i have an 85 with the same switch, and they are impossible to find.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 6
From: Huntersville, NC
It's out there you just need to find it. What's the part number you're looking for? google it, for years I searched for the obsolete wiring harness for my '84. One day I googled it and now I got a brand new NOS in the factory box HD wiring harness. Contact DeadPartsMC on eBay, I talked to him at an antique meet in May and he was parting out a '84 FLT at the time. He's got lots of stuff.