Factory defective ignition switch after 14 years of use.

[Fudd]

Following a long day of riding, I stopped at a friend's house.  When I went to leave, the Valkyrie started but had no headlights,  tail lights and no neutral indicator.  A little trouble shooting showed that only about half of my fuses were being "fed."  I traced the fault to the ignition switch where the switched power (red wire with the white stripe) came out.  I disassembled the back of the swtch where the electrical connections were soldered on.  

To my horror, I found that the red wire with white stripe was NEVER SOLDERED TO THE TERMINAL.  It had a cold lug  (like a big bugger) on the wire but no solder connetion at all to the terminal.  The wire stayed in place on it's terminal by physical pressure from a strain relief alone.  The red "Battery feed" wire wasn't much better, it had what would be considered a cold joint with no penetration.  The insulation on the red/white wire was baked on the last 1/2 inch from 14 years of heat from having such a bad connection.

I resoldered the connections but that didn't help.  The internal contacts had failed.  I wound up adding a toggle switch to power my lights and accessories until I can get a suitable replacement ignition switch.



That is just how I found it!  Imagine that working for all these years.

I want to replace the ignition switch with one off of an Interstate so that I'll have an "accessory" position on my switch.  

The thing that I'm confused about; is I want one with a type "A" key.  See below.  (I'm using "A and B" for key names to keep things simple.)  I can't figure out which years and models come with which key type.  I'll buy a type "A" and have it rekeyed to match the other locks on my bike.



What years and models come with which key?

  

[old2soon]

If it's any help my 99 I/S has the "B" key. 

[valkyriemc]

My 2K I/S - "A" key, G/L.

[Madmike]

I believe that you could get either key to work........ just a different blank...

[Fudd]

I believe that you could get either key to work........ just a different blank...

I don't think so...

One's raised on the left side and the other is raised on right side.  It takes the correct one to go in the lock.

[NCGhostrider]

My 99 I/S has the A key..

Craig
99 I/S

[Fudd]

Well there you have it.

Old2soon's '99 I/S a "B" key
 -and-
NCGhostrider's '99 I/S has an "A" key


Hence my confusion.

[JaysGone]

Im a locksmith.
If you really want to know bad enough who uses what I can try to look it up tomorrow.
My data base isnt big on newer Hondas.

Just as an aside.
You cannot use "A" in place of "B"
They are obviously opposite of each other.
I might be able to give you a key number or 2 that will interchange. with A.
An older toyota or mitsubishi blank may work if you want a larger key head.
Id have to take a look see.

[Fudd]

Im a locksmith.
If you really want to know bad enough who uses what I can try to look it up tomorrow.
My data base isnt big on newer Hondas.

Just as an aside.
You cannot use "A" in place of "B"
They are obviously opposite of each other.
I might be able to give you a key number or 2 that will interchange. with A.
An older toyota or mitsubishi blank may work if you want a larger key head.
Id have to take a look see.

I want to buy a used one from off of an Interstate but it has to be an "A" type.  I don't know what year(s) to look for.

[gordonv]

I just checked my key, and my 99' IS from CA had key blank A.

I also looked over the schematics, seems both the T and the IS have the same # of wires to the ignition switch. I know the IS had an acs, but I don't see where there is anything different from the other models.

I think if you look over the schematics, and just change the power side of the starter switch into a relay trigger, you will have the same thing as the IS does. I don't think changing the switch will do anything, it's the wire harness.

[Fudd]

I just checked my key, and my 99' IS from CA had key blank A.

I also looked over the schematics, seems both the T and the IS have the same # of wires to the ignition switch. I know the IS had an acs, but I don't see where there is anything different from the other models.

I think if you look over the schematics, and just change the power side of the starter switch into a relay trigger, you will have the same thing as the IS does. I don't think changing the switch will do anything, it's the wire harness.

Both the tourer and the interstate have a 4-wire plug, but the interstate has an additional single wire.  At least that's what I see in the pictures.  The interstate has a separate accessory key position.

[PhredValk]

The spare keys that I had cut for my 99IS are a Curtis HD75 blank and is the A style key. The key I got from the PO was an A, but neither blank; smaller head than A, and molded black plastic with HONDA on both sides.
Fred.

[JaysGone]

I want to buy a used one from off of an Interstate but it has to be an "A" type.  I don't know what year(s) to look for.
[/quote]

Fudd
Ill look and see if my DB goes by year and model.
Which I doubt since it goes by the given key code.
Have a little patience, if I can Ill let you know tonight.
Their might be some different notation in there someplace Ive never bothered to look.
But its a pretty simple DB. For the most part it just says to use blank X for the given codes.
So I might not be of any help tp you what so ever??

[Blackduck]

Guessing Honda use both at various times, my 98 STD had an A and my 2000 STD has a B,
Both Australian bikes.
It maybe potluck with what ever you find.
The other thing to look at is using your own key barrel in an interstate ignition switch, more than a fair chance they are interchangeable

[Blackduck]

Checked Honda parts for 1999, different part numbers for standard and I/S,
Both list type 1 and type 2 keys and the part numbers are different for I/S against standard, whether this is just the finish on the keys is anyones guess
Around $ 60-65 for a switch
Cheers Steve

[JaysGone]

Unfortunatly as I thought my data base only goes by the given code.
It  doesnt mention model at all just the make and key blank needed for the code given.
Sorry Fudd.

[NCGhostrider]

If it helps, my factory key, type seen in picture A, has a code stamped on it "D34" in the key portion (not the plastic head).

  Hell, it still has the plastic protective tube over the key, and the dealer stock number on the ID tag. 

Obviously, I don't carry it often, but it does go with me on long trips, just in case I lose the one in the ignition.

see ya,

Craig
NcGhostrider
99 I/S

[Kylenav]

I talked to honda about this about 6 months ago when trying to order new key locks for my tourer bags to match my ignition.  As honda explained to me they used both the A and the B keys throughout production of the Valk.  They couldn't even send me an "A" lock to match my '01 ignition so I could rekey my bags tumblers.  Both people I talked to said they just keep all the locks and what not it a bin at the warehouse, nobody can pull a certain type of key for you!

You can buy an entire lock set, which in your case would be for an interstate and plug into your model, which comes with new keys and locks for everything. Gas cap, ignition, handlebar lock, and bags... I think it was around $200 for that set.  I just have two keys, one for the bags, one for the ignition.

[wild6]

I have a 98 tourer and a 98 standard.
The tourer has type A and the standard has type B.

If the detents are in the switch-back, isn't it possible to buy an Interstate switch, and just use its guts to fix your switch?

[Fudd]

Thanks for everyones responses.

I think I have a deal worked out with a fellow member on a Interstate key switch with an "A" key.