Kill switch question?
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Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Las Vegas
Kill switch question?
Ok...at the risk of getting flamed for asking a dumb question...I'm gonna ask anyway and show my noobyism!
I've seen several posts now talking about using the ignition and not the kill switch to kill the motor....and some even state they leave the kill switch on all the time and only use the ignition.
What is the proper method, as I've always (in my short Harley experience) used the kill switch to kill the motor and then turn the ignition off. Someone had posted this messes with the ECU and stores false info (or something to that effect)?
Thanks!
I've seen several posts now talking about using the ignition and not the kill switch to kill the motor....and some even state they leave the kill switch on all the time and only use the ignition.
What is the proper method, as I've always (in my short Harley experience) used the kill switch to kill the motor and then turn the ignition off. Someone had posted this messes with the ECU and stores false info (or something to that effect)?
Thanks!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
you probably saw my post.
many years... in the habit of using the kill switch...sometimes at the end of the drive and rolling in so to be quiet etc.
the 09 was my first throttle by wire bike, and I noticed that the idle would often settle over 1300 rpms.
did a search and came upon mention of this ignition switch business... if you use the kill switch, it is possible that your hand may cause input to the throttle position sensor as the bike shuts down...causing it to forget where "zero" is.
( to reset throttle position, turn on kill switch, then with RIGHT hand, turn on ignition switch- wait until fuel system pressurizes, turn off ignition switch. repeat procedure 3 more times)
so i no longer use the kill switch on the 09, and have no wacky idle problems
none of this would apply on a bike with throttle cables, I still use kill switch on some of the older bikes...like my Trail 90
Mike
many years... in the habit of using the kill switch...sometimes at the end of the drive and rolling in so to be quiet etc.
the 09 was my first throttle by wire bike, and I noticed that the idle would often settle over 1300 rpms.
did a search and came upon mention of this ignition switch business... if you use the kill switch, it is possible that your hand may cause input to the throttle position sensor as the bike shuts down...causing it to forget where "zero" is.
( to reset throttle position, turn on kill switch, then with RIGHT hand, turn on ignition switch- wait until fuel system pressurizes, turn off ignition switch. repeat procedure 3 more times)
so i no longer use the kill switch on the 09, and have no wacky idle problems
none of this would apply on a bike with throttle cables, I still use kill switch on some of the older bikes...like my Trail 90
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; May 28, 2013 at 11:54 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Randolph, WI
you probably saw my post.
many years... in the habit of using the kill switch...sometimes at the end of the drive and rolling in so to be quiet etc.
the 09 was my first throttle by wire bike, and I noticed that the idle would often settle over 1300 rpms.
did a search and came upon mention of this ignition switch business... if you use the kill switch, it is possible that your hand may cause input to the throttle position sensor as the bike shuts down...causing it to forget where "zero" is.
( to reset throttle position, turn on kill switch, then with RIGHT hand, turn on ignition switch- wait until fuel system pressurizes, turn off ignition switch. repeat procedure 3 more times)
so i no longer use the kill switch on the 09, and have no wacky idle problems
none of this would apply on a bike with throttle cables, I still use kill switch on some of the older bikes...like my Trail 90
Mike
many years... in the habit of using the kill switch...sometimes at the end of the drive and rolling in so to be quiet etc.
the 09 was my first throttle by wire bike, and I noticed that the idle would often settle over 1300 rpms.
did a search and came upon mention of this ignition switch business... if you use the kill switch, it is possible that your hand may cause input to the throttle position sensor as the bike shuts down...causing it to forget where "zero" is.
( to reset throttle position, turn on kill switch, then with RIGHT hand, turn on ignition switch- wait until fuel system pressurizes, turn off ignition switch. repeat procedure 3 more times)
so i no longer use the kill switch on the 09, and have no wacky idle problems
none of this would apply on a bike with throttle cables, I still use kill switch on some of the older bikes...like my Trail 90
Mike
I like using the kill switch. I get high idles once in a while when I forget to dump the air ride and have to turn the ignition back on to dump the air. Using the on off 3 times works like a charm.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
The MSF answer is the kill switch. Not sure that it really matters though as far as the bike is concerned. The reason the MSF answer is the kill switch is because you can leave both hands on the handle bars while the engine is running. I have always used the kill switch out of habit and never had a problem. I have, on a couple of occassions, noticed the high idle. It is easy enough to fix though if it occurs. Tun on the kill switch and cycle the ignition switch 5 times to reset the computer. Takes about 2 minutes.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
There's about a dozen questions you can count on in this particular forum coming up over and over again. Yup. This is one of them. Kill switch is just fine for turning engine off with. It's tempting to keep track of these then create a post called "twelve most frequently asked questions"!
I think there's a correlation with the beginning of the riding season.
I think there's a correlation with the beginning of the riding season.
Last edited by davessworks; May 29, 2013 at 12:46 AM.
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Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Las Vegas
Thanks for the replies. I did search the forum first because I know what it's like to see the same question overs and over again. Sorry, didn't see the other threads in the search. 
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
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From: Woodinville, WA
It's no big deal. I think perhaps these dozen questions should constitute a sticky. Trouble is they're ones with a range of opinions like "which gps", "what tire" and the infamous "what oil" question!
Last edited by davessworks; May 29, 2013 at 01:00 AM.
