Still using the 'Kill Switch'?
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
I just got off the phone from calling two HD Dealer's in my area. One is Smokey Mtn HD in Maryville and Mtn Creek HD in Dalton, Ga. Both service writer's took the time to go back and talk with several tech's. They said this is not true. That's why the switch is put there next to your front brake lever. It's a safety issue
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 505
Likes: 1
From: Houston
So are you saying use the switch on the tank instead?
Doesn't power get cut to the ecu anyway? It has to at some point... I mean it's not getting power 24/7 so what's the difference if you cut it via the kill switch (as is the conventional wisdom for pretty much every bike ever made) or with the tank switch... You're still cutting power.
Is there really a difference?
Doesn't power get cut to the ecu anyway? It has to at some point... I mean it's not getting power 24/7 so what's the difference if you cut it via the kill switch (as is the conventional wisdom for pretty much every bike ever made) or with the tank switch... You're still cutting power.
Is there really a difference?
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi
I may be wrong, but the tank switch only controls the ignition, lights and accessory circuits, not the juice to the ECM. The kill switch shuts it ALL down. That is why you can do everything with the tank switch on, but make it fire and run. think about your cager. when you cut the key off, it does NOT turn juice off to the ECM in it either.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 979
Likes: 351
From: Wisconsin
So are you saying use the switch on the tank instead?
Doesn't power get cut to the ecu anyway? It has to at some point... I mean it's not getting power 24/7 so what's the difference if you cut it via the kill switch (as is the conventional wisdom for pretty much every bike ever made) or with the tank switch... You're still cutting power.
Is there really a difference?
Doesn't power get cut to the ecu anyway? It has to at some point... I mean it's not getting power 24/7 so what's the difference if you cut it via the kill switch (as is the conventional wisdom for pretty much every bike ever made) or with the tank switch... You're still cutting power.
Is there really a difference?
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
As RonP42 said, using the kill switch is a safety issue--or, more accurately, a legal one. If you'll look in your owners manual I believe you'll find that using it is HD's prescribed procedure for shutting down the engine. This is largely because the corporate lawyers insist that your hands should be on the grips at all times when the engine is running--just to preclude a lawsuit that they didn't warn you in case you do something like reach for the ignition switch, accidentally knock it in gear, and careen into a bunch of people injuring them--not because there is any other reason to use the kill switch. I personally have never used it on any bike and don't know how it could possibly influence the way the bike runs one way or the other.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
So are you saying by not using the kill switch, power is still going to ECM and it is not constantly resetting? Makes sense. Might be a hard habit to break, but I am going to try it for awhile and see what happens. I put a supercharger on my Toyota truck (which loves Colorado altitude by the way), and I occasionally have to pull the fuse to the ECM to reset it when I make some tweaks. Thanks for the heads up.
I always use the kill switch.