ignition switch caught fire
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Starter Relay, no fuse
Instruments, 15 amp fuse
Lights, 15 amp fuse
Headlight, 15 amp fuse
Ignition, 15 amp fuse
Engine Control (ECM), 15 amp fuse
While the accessory side of the switch feeds a single 15 amp fuse that goes to;
Stop Light Switch (foot pedal)
Speedometer
Right grip harness (for the brake lever switch)
Left hand grip harness (for the horn)
Headlight (not sure why as the headlight doesn't come on, maybe aux lights?)
Rear light harness (to get power to the brake light)
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,257
Likes: 6
From: Leander Texas
your right i was looking at b57 instead of b45. that would have not lasted very long. it still has the 40 amp fuse before the switch. the only burning i can tell is from the inside of the switch on the ignition side. i dont want to open the switch in case it is requested to send to the GOV
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Don't bother, I can tell you exactly what you would see, a lot of melted plastic and a pair of carbonized contacts.
Its nothing more than a simple heavy duty (not heavy enough in your case) three position on-off-on rotary wafer style switch.
Its nothing more than a simple heavy duty (not heavy enough in your case) three position on-off-on rotary wafer style switch.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 58
From: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
I've seen the exact thing happen on a clearance light on a truck one time, it pretty much burst into flames while we were standing right next to it.
A loose/hot/corroded/burning connection won't necessarily blow a fuse but it IS a good fire starter and can be the cause of all the problems you've been having.
FYI, i've been a high voltage lineman over 30 years.
A loose/hot/corroded/burning connection won't necessarily blow a fuse but it IS a good fire starter and can be the cause of all the problems you've been having.
FYI, i've been a high voltage lineman over 30 years.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Ore-gon
Citoriplus, did you have this problem too or did you have an ignition fail giving you a switch to tear a part? Do the contacts just carbon up, causing the heat to build to the point of fire? Do you know of a heavier duty ignition switch or is there no solution to the size of the original stock switch? On the below 40 degree days, I run electrically heated hands, feet, body and legs on my longer rides, so I'm pulling higher amps from the battery, not the ignition switch, but it still kinda causes me great concern! I'm allergic to fire between my legs, the allergy runs in my family...
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Citoriplus, did you have this problem too or did you have an ignition fail giving you a switch to tear a part? Do the contacts just carbon up, causing the heat to build to the point of fire? Do you know of a heavier duty ignition switch or is there no solution to the size of the original stock switch? On the below 40 degree days, I run electrically heated hands, feet, body and legs on my longer rides, so I'm pulling higher amps from the battery, not the ignition switch, but it still kinda causes me great concern! I'm allergic to fire between my legs, the allergy runs in my family...
At least not on a Harley, I have however seen the same exact thing happen in older electrical equipment.
They just don't use or need that kind of switch much in this day and age of micro circuitry and solid state switches.
As far as a heavier duty switch goes, I doubt there is one that's readily available and I would have no idea where you could get one if there was.
But on balance I think that what happened to this particular switch was more of a fluke than an inherent design problem. After all the MOCO has been using the same switch design for a long time now without a major problem being reported so I think its probably just bad luck that this one went up like it did. If youu make a million of something, chances are very good that a couple of them are going to fail for one reason or another. None of which have anything to do with the basic design.
I must however take issue with your statement that your family has at least some kind of monopoly on that particular allergy.
I can state unequivocally and categorically that my family jewels are EXTREMELY allergic to fire and would not be at all happy with ANY kind of fire between my legs.
Last edited by In Memoriam Citoriplus; Dec 16, 2009 at 07:48 PM.
did they report it to the national safety board? if not do it now.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm
as for the 15 amp fuse my diagram has the 40 amp to the switch and other points. the 40 amp line goes to the switch and then it is directed to the a 15 am acc or a 15 am ignition and the 15 amp acc. so the most that can go out the ignition wire is a 15 amp.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm
as for the 15 amp fuse my diagram has the 40 amp to the switch and other points. the 40 amp line goes to the switch and then it is directed to the a 15 am acc or a 15 am ignition and the 15 amp acc. so the most that can go out the ignition wire is a 15 amp.
Thanks!
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
Well, now I don't feel so bad. My electrical problems only tried to kill me while going down the road. At least they didn't try to burn my family jewels up and leave me potentially still alive.
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