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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Harley-Davidson® Ignition Switch Removal
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Now that you’ve fully serviced your Harley Sportster, you can take the opportunity to check all of the safety features on the bike. Make sure the lights are working properly, the horn makes noise, turn signals are operational, and all grommets are in place. Then you should check the throttle, add oil and fill the
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Bob and Mark put an older Sportster up on the lift to show you how to service the front and rear brake calipers. They teach you which parts to remove, clean and replace, and discuss the components of the single piston-style caliper assembly and how they work.
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When you’re adjusting the primary chain on your Sportster model, it’s always specified to adjust it in the tightest spot of its travel. Whether you use the hot or the cold measurement, Harley specifies that you do it in the tightest area. Bob teaches you a quick and simple method for locating the tightest spot
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Bob teaches you how to adjust the clutch and primary chain on your Harley Softail or Dyna model. Be sure to achieve free play on the clutch cable to verify that you have proper adjustment on the clutch cable pack, and check for the proper specs in your service manual for adjusting the primary chain
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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