Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Ignition Switch problem with video

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 13, 2025 | 04:55 PM
  #1  
Whataheep's Avatar
Whataheep
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore
Default Ignition Switch problem with video

I know this question has been posted before but I'm stuck and could really use some help. I have read every thread I can find and watched a ton of videos. After messing with this a few days I'm not getting anywhere. I'm trying to remove my switch to repair some wiring and it only comes part way out and stops. I have tried lube. I have tried with the forks locked to the side and straight. The bike is on a lift so there is no tension on the lock. You will see in the video that the key turns past the unlock position and then the assy pops up a small amount but that's it. The switch and key works normal and seems to do all of the expected things except popping completely up. Here is a short video of what's going on any suggestions welcome. 2004 FLTRI if that matters.
 
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2025 | 05:38 PM
  #2  
pgreer's Avatar
pgreer
Stellar HDF Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,196
Likes: 2,240
From: College Station, TX
Default

Depress button underneath with screwdriver blade while turning KEY ccw. (the button release the stop for the key, the key releases the latch for the ****) The **** and shaft will unlock and can be pulled out. This can be done in any ingnition postition.



 
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2025 | 06:13 PM
  #3  
MURPHCC1's Avatar
MURPHCC1
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,950
Likes: 3,934
From: Cape Cod
Default

I see you got your finger under there but I think you have to get in there more and push that button up.
Try a screwdriver to push it up more.
 
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2025 | 06:43 PM
  #4  
Whataheep's Avatar
Whataheep
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore
Default

Thanks for the replies so far. I was under the impression that the button is what unlocks the key stop allowing it to turn past the normal stop. The video doesn't show it well but I am able to turn the key almost 180 past the normal unlock position. It doesn't really feel right to do that though and it hasn't allowed the lock to move any different. I have just been turning it back until the **** does the first pop where it feels like it releases. Are you saying I should still be pushing the button even after the key has turned past unlock or that by pushing the button deeper before turning past that point it changes the way the **** locks engage? I thought the button stops the key and it is definitely moving past the normal unlock. The bike has around 60k miles and not sure if the PO removed this before so hopefully it's not too worn or previously assembled wrong. I am a mechanic by trade with a pretty good "feel" for things but I have never seen one of these disassembled in person to know what tricks to try.
 
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2025 | 08:16 PM
  #5  
LQQK_OUT's Avatar
LQQK_OUT
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,897
Likes: 1,912
From: East Coast, USA
Default

Maybe this video will help.

 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2025 | 08:58 AM
  #6  
Whataheep's Avatar
Whataheep
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore
Default

I have watched that video several times and many others. It looks lile once the key release the mechanism the whole thing just pops right out. Mine pops up 1/4" then will not come up any further. Pulling hard or twisting doesn't seem to do anything to help. I can't look at it again for a few days but I will try again soon and maybe take another video from a top angle.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2025 | 09:17 AM
  #7  
touchdown's Avatar
touchdown
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Army
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,543
Likes: 2,571
From: Lititz Pa
Default

Sound like you need to go to a shop.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2025 | 10:06 AM
  #8  
MURPHCC1's Avatar
MURPHCC1
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,950
Likes: 3,934
From: Cape Cod
Default

I don't think you're holding the key and the button long enough to activate it.
SLOW down and do the instructions to the letter.
KEEP the key counter clockwise, HOLD the button longer
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 25, 2025 | 03:22 PM
  #9  
Whataheep's Avatar
Whataheep
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore
Default New Video added

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I made a new video from a different angle. As suggested I have tried using a screwdriver to push the button. Turning the key slower and moving the key around once it is past the release point. This video shows some but not all of the things I have tried. In the first part you can see that the large part of the switch is releasing and coming up some but not all the way out. You can also see in the second part of the video that my key is able to turn more than the ones in the videos I'm finding online. I am not the first owner of this bike and I'm pretty sure the switch has been off before. The thing that I am lost on is if the key cylinder is broke and not catching all the way since it will turn so far or if the shaft is stuck down in the lock cylinder. Every normal function of the switch works good. If someone has one of these laying on a table that can show how the locking mechanism works when the key is turned that might help. I can't get this to a shop anytime soon due to work and family so that's not really in the plans.
 
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2025 | 04:17 PM
  #10  
Buelligan666's Avatar
Buelligan666
Grand HDF Member
10 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,623
Likes: 1,626
From: Eastern Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Whataheep
Thanks for the suggestions so far. I made a new video from a different angle. As suggested I have tried using a screwdriver to push the button. Turning the key slower and moving the key around once it is past the release point. This video shows some but not all of the things I have tried. In the first part you can see that the large part of the switch is releasing and coming up some but not all the way out. You can also see in the second part of the video that my key is able to turn more than the ones in the videos I'm finding online. I am not the first owner of this bike and I'm pretty sure the switch has been off before. The thing that I am lost on is if the key cylinder is broke and not catching all the way since it will turn so far or if the shaft is stuck down in the lock cylinder. Every normal function of the switch works good. If someone has one of these laying on a table that can show how the locking mechanism works when the key is turned that might help. I can't get this to a shop anytime soon due to work and family so that's not really in the plans.
https://youtu.be/k0gFNk0luXo
Turn your handlebars all the way to the left. Then try it. You have to lock the steering to get the ignition switch out. Your handlebars are straight in your video.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:48 AM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-18 10:29:31


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE