Topic: Finnicky Ignition Switch

[Jared]

Howdy,

Any suggestions out there for why my ignition switch only works when the key is turned to just the right position? Only when I fiddle with it will the rear running light come on. Also, sometimes the key will vibrate out of the 'on' position so that the bike will die. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Jared

[KingCustomCycles.com]

The contacts are worn or the back plate is loose.  You can take it apart and try to get a few more miles out of it but replacements from emgo are less than $20.00

[Gaither]

Jared

FWIW

King is right.

You don't say what bike. Maybe most orig ign sw's are similar [?].

In any event, Two-Tired did an excellent post on refurbishing ign sw's in "Tricks and Tips" under "Rebuilding a Keyswitch (electrical contacts)" - now at the top of page two.

If your ign sw is an OEM orig, you might want to try to save it.

I was able to rework my orig sw using Two-Tired's post - although my sw was slightly different. Turned out there was no wear or heat damage - just needed a good cleaning and re-lube. Of course, the plug-in contacts also needed cleaning (as usual on all such elec contacts on these ol' bikes). If I can do it, anybody can do it!

I'm currently running an EMGO sw (couldn't find a now obsolete NOS OEM ign sw), I will soon reinstall the orig Honda sw since some say the EMGO's don't "live" very long [?].

[MoMo]

Gaither,  you heard right about the Emgo.  I had one fall apart within a couple months and another go dead.  What I had to do was cable tie the base so it didn't come loose and lose contact.  Still working a year later, Larry

[wardenerd]

77 550 and 81 650 both developed the same symptom.  for about $20 each I replaced the switches .  The one on the 650 failed catastrophicaly  ie. left my butt on the side of the road.  Buy new off ebay Honda NOS and be done with it

[Gaither]

Thanks for your experience/s, guys. 'Guess I heard right!

I couldn't find an NOS OEM sw for a '77 550F when I needed it. So, I bought the new EMGO - before I learned how "dependable" they are not.

'Glad my orig OEM sw cleaned up nicely and went back together right. It was perfect inside - absolutely no wear (12,000 miles) - just dried, caked grease. It's going back on the bike. The EMGO will be relagated to a shelf!

Thanks

Gaither

[tmac]

Had an emgo fall apart on me too. zip tie and elec tape to hold it together! Works fine

[Legin]

Cleaned up my original switch with emery tape on the contacts which were messy but good quality so cleaned up nice. Works great now

[Duke McDukiedook]

The emgo and Taiwanese ignition switches are pretty cheap compared to the 550 and original 750 switches- Hondaman has discussed this in the past.

The switch usually can't handle the amp load required and usually fails after a certain amount of time.

Try and rebuild that old switch if you can.
 

[petercb750]

My 750 key started falling out of the switch when riding, so had it tied to the frame on a lanyard to avoid losing it, but now just use it to get the bike started then put it in my pocket whilst riding.........
One day I'll get a new switch........

[bollingball]

Which ever SW. you use put a relay in the circuit and ride on.

[bollingball]

I'm talking about horn & start.

[florence]

Warning:

If you think you can repair your switch all well and good but be careful.  My ignition switch was faulty and would only come on when I wiggled it.  I cleaned up the contacts and it was OK for a while but one day, when I was out on a moonless night I was suddenly plunged into complete darkness and the engine cut out.  Luckily for me I was travelling in a straight line at that point and I had just to put the brakes on blindly and hope I could stop before I hit anything.  If I had been going round a corner it might have been rather bad. 

Originality is all well and good but, in my opinion, safety comes first; once these switches start to go wrong they become very unpredictable.  I would recommend buying a new replacement as they were never intended to be taken apart.

[Gaither]

Florence

You are correct, of course, with good advice well taken. 'Very glad you got lucky and didn't wreck. Could have been very tragic.

You are also correct regarding "original". I lean toward original but not if it it compromises dependability or safety. However, I have very little confidence in my new EMGO ign sw - a poor compromise at best.

My ol' 550 only had only 12,000 miles at the time I was having several wiring issues (I HATE WIRING!). The orig ign sw was only "suspect" - never knew for sure if it was involved in the problems. Being suspect, I replaced it with a new EMGO sw. At the time, I could not locate an NOS, OEM ign sw, although I tried. Maybe I didn't know where to look. From what I see on the Forum, the EMGO ign sw's are very prone to early failure, too. So, I have no confidence in the new EMGO sw.

True, Honda never intended for these ign sw's to be taken apart. However, upon Two-Tired's advice and posted "How to", I reluctantly, very carefully took the orig sw apart. It was perfect inside - except for a lot of dried grease. It had absolutely no wear or heat damage. I seriously doubt it was the cause of any of my problems. I cleaned and re-greased it. It came apart and reassembled properly. I confident it is OK. Otherwise, I wouldn't even consider using it. So, I'll put it back on this winter.

***I'd buy an NOS, OEM ign sw if I knew a dependable source and "store" the other 2 sw's in the parts bin.

I believe my problems were all caused by corroded fuse clips and larger, polly enclosed connectors. These have all been properly cleaned (and the connectors packed with dielectric grease). The bike went from usless to a good running 550. 'Hasn't missed a beat in many miles since all of this.

Prior to this, it suddenly quit on the road several times, many of which were very hazardous to my health (try a busy 2-lane, heavy traffic with about a 2-foot grassy shoulder beside a deep ditch). Strangly, it always started right back up - until it finally began to blow the main fuse.

***I don't discount your experience and really do appreciate your sharing it with us. It should make all of us more aware of this very real potential hazzard.

Thanks much, Florence

Gaither



 

[florence]

Very good, I do not know about EMGO, possible they don't have them in Britain.  When I replaced mine I used a Lucas part from an old Austin car.  It works a treat and is very sturdy.

[SohRon]

the connectors packed with dielectric grease

You might want to rethink greasing your connectors. Not sure what the purpose of that is, but it sure can leave a mess. This is what I found tearing down a bike for parts; all of the other connectors on the bike (including the ig sw) had been treated the same and were in just as bad a shape, or worse. Fortunately this cleaned up to acceptable condition (tested on far right connector), though the connectors were badly corroded and needed some serious attention from an emery board

[Duke McDukiedook]

Lucas?!?!? The other prince of darkness? 

[andy750]

Dont buy EMGO!!! I did and got stranded more than once as the contacts are cheap cr%p. Lucky I had was near home at the time and got my g/f to bring me a spare EMGO switch I had (as I knew this would happen). I would never buy EMGO again...this wasnt the first time either that one had failed...I was just being cheap . In any case I splurged for the Honda OEM switch for my CB750K2 and the difference is night and day....

good luck with the EMGO but its only a matter of time....stranded at the side of the highway is no fun...of course you can always cut into that nice harness and splice....

good luck
Andy

[Nikkisixx]

Lucas?!?!? The other prince of darkness? 

You beat me to it 

[Gaither]

Andy

May I ask where you found a NOS, OEM ign sw and how much it cost you?

Maybe I should have searched harder - also, I was in a self-imposed rush for time.

Thanks

Gaither

[andy750]

Gaither

I got mine from the local Honda dealer  - I got the ignition, ignition lock and seat lock with matching key for all 3 pieces. A friend of mine gets a good customer discount and got them for me for $80. This was last summer.

good luck
Andy
 

[Gaither]

Andy

I was under the impression the OEM ign sw was "obsolete" and no longer available from Honda.
So, I didn't check Honda dealers (Chattanooga has 2).

Yep, you got a good deal! I'd go for that any day.

I'm gonna call in the morning and see what I can get one for - even though I'm convinced my orig sw is roadworthy (got to get that EMGO off the bike).

An amusing thing, first time out with the EMGO installed, I forgot the orig key for the tank door and seat lock (I'm getting old). I didn't realize it til I pulled in for gas. I was very pleased (and relieved) when the EMGO key opened the tank door! (Haven't tried it in the seat lock.) That orig key is now in the left Shoei and goes where the bike goes.

Many thanks.

Gaither