Topic: dead 350.. blame it on the ignition switch?

[davis96]

Alright so I'm riding to the library tonight and suddenly ive got no power, engine is dead, no headlight, no idiot lights, nothin... it wont even kick over. I pull off to the side (onto a sidewalk ), and try to check it out, but I'm stumped. I leg it to a parking lot, and like an idiot get a buddy to try and jump it off. My retardation subsides, and I check the main fuse, blown. So I'm all "yea cool, new fuse and I'm good to go!" Wrong. New 15A fuse did nothing, i still have no lights of any kind, nor will the bike start. So you tell me, think it could be my ignition switch? Ive ordered one already, but I'm curious as to what you guys think.

I guess if thats not it i still get a shiny new ignition and key out of it; and as an added bonus, partsnmore has a $35 minimum order, which entitled me to buy some grips and fork seals without feeling bad.

[JBMorse]

Sounds like it to me.  Did you try jiggling the key in the switch?  Mine crapped out on the way to a bike show 130 miles from my house, and I was able to nurse it along because there was still some connection if I jiggled it.  In a pinch, you can, as Mike and Ben instructed me, cut the switch off and splice the black and red wires.  Just make sure you unsplice them when you stop so as not to burn out the points!

[hoodellyhoo]

If you haven't already, get yourself a multimeter and a wiring diagram. I would test the switch along with the circut that the fuse is on. I was working on getting my 750 going and even though I had the main fuse securely in place and had cleaned the contacts, there still wasn't continuity. I had to clean them a scond time to get it to work. Make sure all your grounds and electrical connections are clean.

[fletcha221]

good god man. She just wont give you one good week will she? If you arent getting anything, one of two things has happened. 1. Your stator is broken, the bike wont even start without SOME juice in the battery. 2. Something isn't completing the circuit: switch, loose ground, loose battery terminal, etc. Let me know what you find.

[DKB]

Could very well be your ignition switch....

I had a like experience with my 76 CB550. After lots of troubleshooting and frustration, I randomly peeled the rubber cap off the back of the ignition switch to find one of the solders had come undone and a wire was no longer making solid contact.

When the problem first presented itself the bike would just cut out from time to time while riding. Then one day it just would not power up at all. After going through the entire harness and then replacing the ignition switch as a last ditch effort, I noticed the old switch had a bad connection where one of the wires broke free on the back side. I would not have found the culprit without pulling off the rubber backing and checking. Thought I'd pass on the info in case it happens to be the same gremlin you're looking for:)

[davis96]

Thanks guys I'm headed out to where i left it at the side of the road to see if i cant cross some wires and make something happen.

good god man. She just wont give you one good week will she? If you arent getting anything, one of two things has happened. 1. Your stator is broken, the bike wont even start without SOME juice in the battery. 2. Something isn't completing the circuit: switch, loose ground, loose battery terminal, etc. Let me know what you find.

I'm like completely desensitized to it #$%*ing up by now though really. doesnt bother me at all ahaha. I'll poke around for loose connections and corrosion and what not... keep in mind ill be doing this work on the side of the road.

[davis96]

So I drive out to my bike, thinking full well i'd have to push it 3 miles back to my house. But first I started fiddling with stuff, and being that I have a new ignition on the way, I chopped the old one off, stripped wires and connected red/black ... brown/brownwhite...  and sure enough it worked like a charm...

so for the time being, until my new ignition gets here, my "key" is half of the ignition switch plug with a few rogue wires sticking out of it.

Thanks for your help guys!

[scottly]

good god man. She just wont give you one good week will she?

Jeez! Davis, have you given her a name yet? Maybe Christine would be fitting?

[fletcha221]

Davis,


Post it here dude.

http://thereifixedit.com/

[wdhewson]

For these type of electrical problems it is good to have on-board 2 or 3 straight pins like those used in sewing. 

To connect two wires just push the pin through both wires, right through the insulation.  The insulation sort of heals itself when the pin is removed and the fine copper wire strands usually just separate around the pin without tearing. 

Good way to hot wire, legally or otherwise, in the good old days.

[scottly]

Good tip there, about the pins, wd!

[wdhewson]

'Twas especially effective on the late 1960s Lincoln Continental that my father's friend owned, and had lost his keys. 

I think we youths frightened him, and my father, with our "expertise".

[socalenduro]

i got 50 bucks says its the key switch...
i had the exact same problem..... the whole switch was bad
26 bucks and back in biz