Harley Ignition Switch Tip
Bob LaRosaBob 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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I was recently asked a question about ignition switch. The question I was asked was, sometimes I turn my ignition switch on and it operates correctly. All the lights come on, all the dash lights, the start button works. Sometimes when I turn the switch on, I have nothing, no headlamps, no dash lamps, no start button. Again, this question, it's kind of a trick question because to answer it correctly, you'd have to do a number of diagnostic procedures in order to eliminate problems that could cause it.
Covering the entire path of the motorcycle, obviously is the wiring harness. Anything along that path can cause intermittent ignition problems, whether it's headlamp, whether it's dash lamps, whether it's function of the start button, the horn button, high-low beam. What you really need to do is start right at the source. The battery. Always check, not only battery condition, the battery age, but all the connections, that they're clean and tight.
From there, do some testing. Don't just take for granted that tightening the battery connections or replacing the battery resolved the issue. But also don't jump three steps forward, put a new ignition switch in the dash and think the problem's resolved. Electrical intermittent problems are mostly the hardest problem, or intermittent issue to diagnose, troubleshoot, and correct. So always work from the power source out.
Take your time. Don't just take for granted that you found the problem and go on a good long ride. If you've had the intermittent problem for quite some time. Make sure you stay local, ride local, once you think you've corrected it. If the problem arose right after installing a new component, whether it be chrome, switch housings, a new headlamp, a new cooling system, unplug that new component.
See if the intermittent problem has resided. If it hasn't, you know it's not the new component. Take a step back. Electricity is funny to play with, but it's not fun to encounter when you're out enjoying a ride. Always take your time, use your service manual.
Use the proper diagnostic tools, scanalyzer, breakout boxes, test lights, jumper wires, whatever it takes to do the job correctly. Make sure you do the job correctly, and then make sure you double check your work. Don't take for granted that just because you found one issue, that that issue is the end all mean all to the intermittent problem. You may find one issue downstream and there may be another underlying issue further up the circuit or the harness causing the intermittent problem.
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.
I’ve had to replace my ignition switch 2 times in two months 2004 flhtpi 29000 miles on it
<strong>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.
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