Igniation Switch

[Westernbiker]

Queenbee and I went for a ride last night we were on our own bikes. Stopped at a place for a drink and when we went to leave, Queenbee's key would not go into the ignition all the way. Something inside stops it about 3/4 of the way in. Anybody remove and replace one of these switches? I check the Archives for about 15 min. and could not find anyone doing a remove and replace. I have not looked yet but if anyone knows where to get a new ignition switch I will need that also. Thanks for any help in advanced it is GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chrisj CMA]

sounds like the little door broke off and is jammed inside.  Find a dental pick or a stout piece of small guage wire and you should be able to coax the little thing out

[John Schmidt]

The wiring for it extends back under the tank where a connector is located. Usually have to loosen the tank and raise it to disconnect that plug. To take it apart once you have it out I believe involves some special security type torx head, has a hole in the center of it along with the torx configuration. You could probably take it to a locksmith and get it repaired so you don't have to buy a new one. You'd have mismatching locks on the saddlebags and ignition then, and trunk if an I/S. I'd try Chris's approach first before doing anything else.

[hubcapsc]

The wiring for it extends back under the tank where a connector is located. Usually have to loosen the tank and raise it to disconnect that plug. To take it apart once you have it out I believe involves some special security type torx head, has a hole in the center of it along with the torx configuration. You could probably take it to a locksmith and get it repaired so you don't have to buy a new one. You'd have mismatching locks on the saddlebags and ignition then, and trunk if an I/S. I'd try Chris's approach first before doing anything else.

When my little door broke off inside my ignition, I replaced the ignition, and so I have faced the torx... it is "normal",
I went and found the never-used cheap torx set that I knew was somewhere in the shed, and there was one that fit...

I don't recommend or disavow my fix    - ordering a whole new lockset from HDL for around $130 - it was a giant adventure
changing out all the locks on my tourer, but all my locks use the same key, and my little door is as good as new - it is new...

-Mike

[Westernbiker]

sounds like the little door broke off and is jammed inside.  Find a dental pick or a stout piece of small guage wire and you should be able to coax the little thing out

Chris! Crap! I did notice the door was not there any more but did not notice if it was there when she bought the bike. That is the first thing I will try a do.

Thanks John and Hubcapsc for the info and advice, I sure hope it's just the little door and I can get that sucker out of there without having to take the switch out.

[hubcapsc]

sounds like the little door broke off and is jammed inside.  Find a dental pick or a stout piece of small guage wire and you should be able to coax the little thing out

Chris! Crap! I did notice the door was not there any more but did not notice if it was there when she bought the bike. That is the first thing I will try a do.

Thanks John and Hubcapsc for the info and advice, I sure hope it's just the little door and I can get that sucker out of there without having to take the switch out.

Unlike some of the other locks, like the saddlebags and the seat lock, the ignition is easy to remove... my local locksmith said she could
take the ignition apart and put it back together without the door (she said she couldn't fix the door)... so if you can't get the the dead-door out
with a pick, don't fret about removing the ignition, it is easy, but you'll need the torx thing...

-Mike

[queen bee]

sounds like the little door broke off and is jammed inside.  Find a dental pick or a stout piece of small guage wire and you should be able to coax the little thing out

It's a MIRACLE!!! 
After reading the post and replies, I took a safety pin and tweezers to the ignition and VOILA! Got a little piece of something...didn't look like the door but more like a piece of pebble.  Anyway, the key works!!!!

Thanks to you all.......especially CHRIS!    WB thanks you too, 'cause now he won't have to replace the ignition!

[Chrisj CMA]

good for you!

[Westernbiker]

Well I'm a HAPPY CAMPER!!!!!! don't have to work on a bike tonight WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!
Thanks Chris, John and Hubcapsc!

[Valkpilot]

After reading the post and replies, I took a safety pin and tweezers to the ignition and VOILA! Got a little piece of something...didn't look like the door but more like a piece of pebble.  Anyway, the key works!!!!

That's the door -- or at least a piece of it.  The "door" is just a little plastic bar that eventually crumbles into chunks.

[BnB Tom]

  Actually, its called the shutter. 

It's made of some sort of plastic and after the sun, heat and cold have had their way with it, it crumbles.

  Even tho you got your key to work, you might take a small vaccuum cleaner and attempt to suck out any remaining pieces (additional parts of plastic AND small springs).  When done.. spray a little silicon or teflon based lubricant into the keyhole - NOT WD 40.  That should get you years of trouble free service!