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ignition switch wiring

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Old Jun 13, 2017 | 12:09 PM
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707airbrush's Avatar
707airbrush
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From: Suisun
Default ignition switch wiring

trying to find a wiring diagram for a 1997 XL 1200 S Sportster
Someone tried to change this bike to a bobber and hacked up the wires. The accessory wire has not power. I found 3 wires going to the ignition switch and one of them was broken loose but i cannot tell where it should go. The switch is not marked with where the wires should go.along with no color code on the switch i cannot tell.
 
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Old Jun 13, 2017 | 12:47 PM
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Looking at an online wiring diagram for "1997 All Models" of Sportster, it looks like there should be three wires going to the ignition switch.

1. The solid red wire brings power to the ignition switch from the main circuit breaker.

2. The red and gray wire goes from the ignition switch to the 15A Accessory fuse, then feeds power to many places on the bike from that fuse.

3. The red and black (or dark blue) wire goes to the starter relay and also to the other three fuses.

I can't find where it shows which wire goes to which terminal of the switch, but if you have a volt meter you can find out from the diagram which terminals get power when you turn the key to the accessory and ignition positions.

Here's part of the wiring diagram for '97 Sportsters that shows the ignition switch and the three wires that connect to it.

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By the way, you posted this in the Ironhead Sportster forum. Ironheads were only made until 1985. You might have better luck posting in the newer Sportster forum...
 

Last edited by yellowstone kelly; Jun 13, 2017 at 12:54 PM.
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Old May 3, 2018 | 10:36 PM
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Default Good post

Originally Posted by yellowstone kelly
Looking at an online wiring diagram for "1997 All Models" of Sportster, it looks like there should be three wires going to the ignition switch.

1. The solid red wire brings power to the ignition switch from the main circuit breaker.

2. The red and gray wire goes from the ignition switch to the 15A Accessory fuse, then feeds power to many places on the bike from that fuse.

3. The red and black (or dark blue) wire goes to the starter relay and also to the other three fuses.

I can't find where it shows which wire goes to which terminal of the switch, but if you have a volt meter you can find out from the diagram which terminals get power when you turn the key to the accessory and ignition positions.

Here's part of the wiring diagram for '97 Sportsters that shows the ignition switch and the three wires that connect to it.

Attachment 517715

By the way, you posted this in the Ironhead Sportster forum. Ironheads were only made until 1985. You might have better luck posting in the newer Sportster forum...
excellent info.
 
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