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ignition switch caught fire

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Old Dec 14, 2009 | 10:22 PM
  #1  
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Default ignition switch caught fire

i was getting worse and worse gas mileage and was wondering what caused it. now i know. i went from 42 hwy to 30 and city 38 to 25. well on a 400 mile trip and 6 miles from home the switch caught fire. i removed the housing and the wire for the ignition was burnt but the switch was fried in parts. i reversed the connector and used the acc side to get the bike started and back home. nice to know it can arch and send sparks on top of the gas tank. I hope it was a one off and not an epidemic. the warranty is out but i will call the dealer and see if they are concerned to contact harley and see if they will replace it and get the old one shipped back. it did have the factory grease on the other 2 remaining contacts
 
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Old Dec 14, 2009 | 11:57 PM
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WOW!!! Nothing like having a fire on top of can of gas, thats located right between your legs!
 
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Old Dec 15, 2009 | 12:58 AM
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You'd think the main fuse would have blown? I'll be here waiting for the rest of the story. It'll be interesting to read what HD has to say about this. You might want to notify the NHTSA to see if they would like to look into it. I would think that they would be real interested in this fire hazard situation... http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/
 
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Old Dec 15, 2009 | 02:52 AM
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And mines an 07,,,keep us posted.......
 
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Old Dec 15, 2009 | 08:14 AM
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Damn, now that SUX. A fire on top of a gas can that's between your legs is about the ugliest thing I can think of.
Especially if your tooling down the road with no way to get off the damn thing right away.

Good idea to use another power line to get yourself going again. Gonna have to remember that little trick should anything happen out in the boonies.
 
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Old Dec 15, 2009 | 08:45 AM
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i just called the nhtsa and made a report. they suggested i contact Harley and the local dealer. yep not the kind of fire i want between my legs
other acc side will give you ignition and head and tail lamps but no accessories like brake and turn and horn
 
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Old Dec 15, 2009 | 08:48 AM
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That is .....Insane!

Betcha Harley pays for yer' switch and the install.
 
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Old Dec 15, 2009 | 10:05 AM
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"Betcha Harley pays for yer' switch and the install."

I doubt it but glad you're ok.
 
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Old Dec 15, 2009 | 11:32 AM
  #9  
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just called harley and as to be expected they said it was the only case in the entire world that this happened and must be the switch
they want me to have the dealer look at it and then if they determine it is the switch i would have to pay the dealer to fix it. i know it is not the wiring of the bike because it would not have worked on the acc side if it was. I will take pictures and then replace it my self for about $22.
 

Last edited by tk353; Dec 15, 2009 at 11:34 AM.
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Old Dec 15, 2009 | 12:50 PM
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pictures
 
Attached Thumbnails ignition switch caught fire-burnt-2.jpg   ignition switch caught fire-burnt-4.jpg   ignition switch caught fire-burnt-3.jpg  

Last edited by tk353; Dec 15, 2009 at 12:56 PM.
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