Topic: '76 400F Starter Switch

[iya0yas]

I'll apologize in advance if this topic has already been covered...

I recently replaced my OE switch with a genuine Honda switch made in China (35130-377-P00).  The OE switch start button had failed and the PO rewired it with a toggle switch. While this worked ok you just had to remember to turn the switch off after starting the engine...

In addition to the toggle start switch, the PO incorporated a toggle switch to shut off the headlight while riding.  I've also removed this switch too.  Luckily for me the wire harness is in fairly good condition compared to others I've seen on this thread.

Okay, so here's the problem:
The start/stop switch functions in both RUN & STOP positions...?  Installing the start/stop switch assy. was pretty straight forward since all I had to do was match the wire colors.  I removed the (purple) thumb dial and verified the springs, detent balls and U-shaped contact plate was not fouled.  Perhaps it's a faulty switch? 

Any suggestions as to how to correct this problem?

Thanks-

Some 'Before' Pic's for your viewing pleasure...

[Ernest T]

Are you calling the kill switch the start stop switch?

[iya0yas]

Yes, the black switch mounted on the handlebar.

[SohRon]

Are you calling the kill switch the start stop switch?

Yes, the black switch mounted on the handlebar.

Around these parts we call this the "right hand switch". The purple knob mounted on it is referred to as the "kill switch" (off run off), and it incorporates the  "start/lighting" switch as well. You say you inspected the "kill switch" to verify it is functioning correctly. Does this mean you disassembled the switch, removed the knob, verified the contact and detent were correctly installed, then reassembled the switch?

And, further, what I believe you're saying is that the bike will start with the kill switch in the "off" position. Right?

Because of the way the kill switch is configured, it's pretty near impossible for it to function in the off position. I'd verify that it's working and that I had the wiring connected correctly. Two wires come off of the kill switch; black and black/white. Look inside the headlight bucket and find where these come out of the bundle from the handlebar; connect them to a VOM. You should only have signal when the knob is in the "run" position. If you get signal in any other position, your switch is bad, though that's fairly unlikely. Next, with these two wires disconnected, try to start the bike. If it will start you're most likely looking at either a connection SNAFU or a possible short somewhere in the rest of the system.

At least this will give you a place to start...

[Bodi]

Welcome to the forum!
So the switchpod functions OK except the engine runs with the kill switch in a STOP position?
If that's right:
The kill switch switches power from the "ignition ON power" wire (black) to the "ignition coil power" wire (black/white) that goes to the ignition coils and nowhere else. Probably a PO has wired the coils to a black wire and bypassed the kill switch. Since you have the tank off to connect the switchpod wires, check the coil wiring. The suggestion to unplug the black/white wire at the pod connections to the main harness is good, if the bike still runs that means the wiring has been modified.
Get a real Honda wiring diagram for your bike. The "simplified" ones by Haynes, Clymer, etc will cause much confusion and frustration... there are several things in this wiring system that cause trouble but don't appear in the unHonda diagrams.

[bryanj]

The starter button will turn the engine over no mater what position the KILL switch is in, it should only run in the run position tho

[iya0yas]

My thanks to all who have replied with their suggestions.  I am confident the kill switch is wired correctly and that the "off-run-off' knob detent ball and springs are installed properly.  So I think the next step will be to reinstall the tank (only fuel source I have at this time) then actually start/run the engine.  If bryanj is correct and the engine shuts off when I switch kill knob to the off position then I think my problem will be solved.  Perhaps it really was this simple all along...?   I hope so but if not I now have a list of other items to check for as well... 

Again...Thank you all!

[iya0yas]

The starter button will turn the engine over no mater what position the KILL switch is in, it should only run in the run position tho

Yes, you were absolutely right!

Thank you all again for taking time to stop and help. 

[bryanj]

No Problem, thats what this forum is for