Problems with ignition switch

[AZCaveman]

I bought a "Standard' automotive ignition switch, No start,,,,,So i went to an electronics store and bought a 100 ohm resistor {Pack of a hundred for 5 bucks}  added inline to the YELLOW wire. and boom problem solved.  bike starts and runs perfectly.

[Pilgrim]

I washed mine one time...this summer. It wouldn't start t all, after it dried out, started right up with no issues. Something got wet..don't know what.

[49Reo]

Well folks, to re-visit this issue: got out for the first time since the troubles listed in my original post. I had lubed the ignition switch with G96 gun oil, it has sat since due to raining all the time. Had zero issues today; key went in like it should, turned the lock like it should, bike ran fine with no stalling or sputtering. It did pop and backfire on decel when I first took off, second gear for 2 blocks to the intersection; it popped and backfire a bit pulling up to the stop sign. Was fine after that. Maybe a bit of water from condensation in the tank was causing that issue from the start, who knows; but, all's well that ends well.....

[richaud]

looks all Swedish to me but is it like WD-40?

Hehe waterDetergent trial40 thats what wd stans for..but thats correct

[CDNRatMan]

  looks all Swedish to me but is it like WD-40?

[richaud]

I make it as a part of regular routine to use some

http://www.5-56.nu/

In places as ignition lock, helmet locks and around all the buttons on handlebars after a wash.. takes 1 min and makes the nagging in back go away.. not that it helps you now but i just wanted to hear my own voice;)

[49Reo]

Okay, thanks for all the intel, guys. Much appreciated.

[jmbo]

To restate what is probably running through everyone's mind, sounds like the ignition switch. However I had a similar problem happen to me. Stopped for a sandwich. Twenty minutes later I hopped on the bike. Flipped the switch, pressed the button and nada, zilch, not even a click. Said *#%€£¥# then got off the bike and wiggled wires as if I knew what I was doing. The problem? The wire came loose on the clutch hand grip. When that happens nothing happens.  Lesson learned.

[Troll]

How available are the OEM switches? In case I need one. Still thinking of relocating it as where it is seems like it would be prone to moisture issues. That being said, I have ridden in some torrential downpours, and it always came through with zero issues....

Readily available. Fits just about everything injected.  2001 VN1500-G3 Vulcan 1500 Nomad IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2001 VN1500-L2 Vulcan 1500 Nomad Fi IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2001 VN1500-N2 Vulcan 1500 Classic Fi IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2001 VN1500-R1 Vulcan 1500 Drifter IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2002 VN1500-L3 Vulcan 1500 Nomad Fi IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2002 VN1500-N3 Vulcan 1500 Classic Fi IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2002 VN1500-R2 Vulcan 1500 Drifter IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2003 VN1500-L4 Vulcan 1500 Nomad Fi IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2003 VN1500-R3 Vulcan 1500 Drifter IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2004 VN1500-L5 Vulcan 1500 Nomad Fi IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2004 VN1500-R4 Vulcan 1500 Drifter IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2005 VN1500-N4 Vulcan 1500 Classic IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2005 VN1500-R5 Vulcan 1500 Drifter IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2006 VN1500N6F Vulcan 1500 Classic IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2006 VN1500T6F Vulcan 1500 Classic IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2007 VN1500N7F Vulcan 1500 Classic IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2007 VN1500N7FA Vulcan 1500 Classic IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2008 VN1500N8F Vulcan 1500 Classic IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS
2008 VN1500N8FA Vulcan 1500 Classic IGNITION SWITCH-LOCKS-REFLECTORS

[49Reo]

How available are the OEM switches? In case I need one. Still thinking of relocating it as where it is seems like it would be prone to moisture issues. That being said, I have ridden in some torrential downpours, and it always came through with zero issues....

[Troll]

It was around 65 degrees out when it happened. Much like Wisconsin, water freezes below 32*f.....  It was fine when I started the bike to leave on my ride, when I stopped to gas up an hour later it was when I started it at the gas station was when the key would only go in half way. I lubed it up good, if it happens again I will get a Harley style lock and relocate it in behind the rear jug.

I would NOT do that. I had one, and it left me walking. I have an OEM on now and it's been fine since 2010...and 60+K miles.

[DC]

The only thing I use a garden hose on is the wheels when rinsing off soap.  I just don't trust hosing down the whole bike and getting water into the electrical bits, even though it's designed to ride in the rain and wet weather.

[JagLite]

Just guessing, but if your gas light came on before it should, and the bike was not running clean, it sounds like moisture in an electrical connection to me. Sometimes water will run down the wires and leak into a connector.

Under the tank, under the seat, in the key switch (although how that would effect the low gas light???), even in the handlebar control switches, there are many places just one drop of moisture can cause problems.

Start with the easy to reach connections and pull them apart, blow dry, clean, spray with electrical connection cleaner, reconnect, and seal with dielectric grease, and see how she runs.

[49Reo]

It was around 65 degrees out when it happened. Much like Wisconsin, water freezes below 32*f.....  It was fine when I started the bike to leave on my ride, when I stopped to gas up an hour later it was when I started it at the gas station was when the key would only go in half way. I lubed it up good, if it happens again I will get a Harley style lock and relocate it in behind the rear jug.

[Troll]

Just a thought, but since you're in Canada, did you get ice to form in the lock? I always remove the key and make sure the splash door on the slot is closed before I wash the bike. I try REALLY hard to keep away from stuff like that with water spray.

[49Reo]

I never use more than a garden hose and set on soft spray, not a hard spray.

[greenbarn]

Since you mentioned the seafoam.... and the key....... made me think - did you use a high pressure washer??   Wonder if you got water in your tank?  any ideas if your fuel cap might possibly leak a bit??    A little water in the fuel would make it run bad.   I put about a gallon of "gas" in my 800 a few years ago, from our "gas" can, just to get into town.  Ran terrible- had to run with the choke on the whole way in.  Figured out it was diesel fuel.  Had to drain the tank.

[49Reo]

So I washed the bike on Friday morning, Friday afternoon waxed and polished in preparation for a show on Saturday. Fired it up Saturday am, it stalled 2-3 times before I got out of the driveway. Got to the show, that afternoon drove it home ok, then it stalled in the driveway. So today, I fore it up, no issue, go for a 60 mile ride, had to turn around and head back as the gas gauge went from just over half to a quarter in 30 miles. At 20 miles from the gas station the fuel light came on, no worries, made it to the gas station. Took the key out to unlock the fuel cap, when I went to put the key back in the ignition it only wAnted to go in half way. Fiddled with it for a bit, it finally went on it was stiff to turn. Was fine right up to that point. Bike ran good going home from the gas station, stalled in the driveway. Was hard to start, kept acting like it was flooding; missing and sputtering when trying to read it up, finAlly picked up and revved right up. Stalled again in the back yard, same thing. So I took the key out' sprayed a lubricating oil (NOT WD40) in the switch, worked the key on and out, fired up, all seemed good. Any ideas, anyone? I'm going to put some seafoam in the tank and slosh it around some, then try it tomorrow, weather permitting. Any ideas are appreciated.