Bob LaRosa takes a moment to review a common question he gets. Why does my Harley ignition switch give me trouble?
He admits it’s a trick question because it might not be the ignition switch at all. You’ll have to look at the wiring harness as a whole and the charging system.
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Bob,
ya made ignition switch failure waaaaaaaaay too complicated. if switch has time/miles, like 108,000 miles on my ’01 FLSTC, then it’s probably the switch.
OK, check battery connections first, but then pull the dash, unplug switch wiring, remove switch, take out keeper-ring, & disassemble the switch. chances are you’ll find all kindsa gunk in contact area. take some ever present brake parts cleaner, paper towel, spray down all parts & dry. during re-assemble, put di-electric grease on spring-loaded contact buttons, a little H-D Super Lube on cover hinge, inside lockset, and other metal-to-metal surfaces, re-assemble, bolt back in dash, re-connect wiring, install dash. about 1 hour time.
now test it, & good possibility no more switch issues. not really a rebuild, but a cleanout. save$ $$$ installing new ignition switch.
just saying….
marklewis
Ticket 17099 I have a 2009 Heritage Classic Softtail and I want to attach a mp3/Bluetooth player identified to be for this bike. The wiring diagram has a Positive wire, Negative wire, and an ignition wire. Connecting the Pos and Neg wire no problem. However, I do not know how or where to connect the ignition wire. Please advise. Thank you for your time.
Dear William,
Thank you for contacting us. In regards to your question:
The other wire needs to be “switched power”. You should have an empty grey plug under your seat for switched accessory power.
https://www.fixmyhog.com/video/simplifying-electricity-002170/
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Mark
Fix My Hog Video Membership
I’ve had to replace my ignition switch 2 times in two months 2004 flhtpi 29000 miles on it
Also the acc works perfectly no power when in the ignition position
Harley’s are known for problems with the ignition switch! I have replaced mine twice and the second one (my current one) I have to keep a piece of cardboard under it so it works! I can be riding along and my bike just dies! The parts in the switch are loose and don’t keep a connection! It’s dangerous when you are jumping out into traffic and your bike dies half way there! I have had this issue since the bike was brand new and it’s a 2013 Softail. Check the battery first and the connection in the ignition second.