Engine won't crank

[RandallT]

I have a 1998 CT1500 that won't crank (no headlight as well). I replaced the starter relay recently as it was bad per the manual. It worked, but acted funny (like the "other bikes do sometimes, clicking before engaging the starter). The battery checked out ok,but since it's over two years old I replaced it. Still have no light (have all other accessories operable), and starter switch does nothing. Does this mean it's the start switch? That's the only tie left I see with everything else working. Thanks.
    

[Red Diamond]

Usually the start switch.

[old2soon]

Usually the start switch.

    What my friend Eli said. Check tech board for starter switch clean.  RIDE SAFE.

[Chrisj CMA]

I will say again.  I just did one yesterday.  A starter switch does not have to be dirty, corroded or anything to be NOT working.  Even a brand new one can have this problem. 

I took a switch apart yesterday that was about as clean as you can get one....like new even, the problem was the little bouncy contact thing wasn't very bouncy.  It was stuck in its slots and mashed all the way down.  The little tiny spring couldn't push it up to make contact with the brass contacts.

I cleaned out the slots with sharp knife and made that thing bouncy again.  Worked great after that.

[dpcarson]

I have a 2000 and the problem is actually the red on/off switch and not the starter.  I pulled and cleaned the starter and that didn't do it.  Now I just use the key instead of the on/off switch until a get a chance to pull it and clean it.  turn the key on and hold the starter button down and then click the red button back and forth from on/off/on and see if it makes a connection also

[Chrisj CMA]

I have a 2000 and the problem is actually the red on/off switch and not the starter.  I pulled and cleaned the starter and that didn't do it.  Now I just use the key instead of the on/off switch until a get a chance to pull it and clean it.  turn the key on and hold the starter button down and then click the red button back and forth from on/off/on and see if it makes a connection also

The "red on/off button" is the Kill switch.  Its pretty important that thing works.  I would get is sorted out sooner rather than later........like now.  Buts that's just me

[dpcarson]

My kill switch is like a woman.  Never know whether she is on or off.  Sometimes I have to switch it over a couple of times to get it to make good contact.  I thought it was the starter switch and pulled it apart to clean it, and that was not it.  in the process I figured it out.  I will get around to it some day.  Got bigger fish to fry right now.

[Chrisj CMA]

My kill switch is like a woman.  Never know whether she is on or off.  Sometimes I have to switch it over a couple of times to get it to make good contact.  I thought it was the starter switch and pulled it apart to clean it, and that was not it.  in the process I figured it out.  I will get around to it some day.  Got bigger fish to fry right now.

When you cleaned the starter switch were those little brass tits that push up to contact the brass contacts bouncy on their little spring or stuck?  If that contact didn't try to jump out when you opened the switch box, chances are its stuck.  If so, it can be clean as a whistle and still not work.

[dpcarson]

Yep, it was jumpy.

[Northern Valk]

Yup, I had the same problem too, the kill switch. It's an easy fix.

[heavyd]

Maybe it's just me but I view the red kill switch as more of an Emergency kill, only used if I am parked on a hill with a passenger so I can't reach for the key or the kickstand. I learned on my first bike that my battery was a lot safer if I always shut it off with the key and the habit stuck. Add on the issues with the switch becoming finicky and it seems like an even better idea. Am I the only one that uses it like this? I have so far not had any issues with my start or kill switch. 97 Standard with 125k km on it.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Maybe it's just me but I view the red kill switch as more of an Emergency kill, only used if I am parked on a hill with a passenger so I can't reach for the key or the kickstand. I learned on my first bike that my battery was a lot safer if I always shut it off with the key and the habit stuck. Add on the issues with the switch becoming finicky and it seems like an even better idea. Am I the only one that uses it like this? I have so far not had any issues with my start or kill switch. 97 Standard with 125k km on it.

no you are not the only one. I hardly ever use it.

[R J]

Only time MGM's kill switch is used is when my youngest son rides him.      He has a Harley chopper and he is afraid to let loose of the handlebars to shut the key off on his bike.

He is afraid it will start the tank flip flop on him if he lets loose of one side of the bars.

When I was a motor officer, we had too many gadgets hooked up to he battery to use the kill switch.    If we killed the bike with the kill switch, it would flatten the battery in short order.

Got tired of trying to bump start them damn Harley's, so I learned to use the KEY for what it was designed to do.

Also it was embarrassing to call for the tow truck to bring me another bike and haul mine in for a battery charge.   You pull that stunt and the shop never lets you forget it.

[Bighead]

Maybe it's just me but I view the red kill switch as more of an Emergency kill, only used if I am parked on a hill with a passenger so I can't reach for the key or the kickstand. I learned on my first bike that my battery was a lot safer if I always shut it off with the key and the habit stuck. Add on the issues with the switch becoming finicky and it seems like an even better idea. Am I the only one that uses it like this? I have so far not had any issues with my start or kill switch. 97 Standard with 125k km on it.

I never use it because if you flip it and forget the key ........dead battery. It is just another thing that can fail. Key only. For me on all my bikes I have ever had with no problems.

[Chrisj CMA]

Maybe it's just me but I view the red kill switch as more of an Emergency kill, only used if I am parked on a hill with a passenger so I can't reach for the key or the kickstand. I learned on my first bike that my battery was a lot safer if I always shut it off with the key and the habit stuck. Add on the issues with the switch becoming finicky and it seems like an even better idea. Am I the only one that uses it like this? I have so far not had any issues with my start or kill switch. 97 Standard with 125k km on it.

I never use it because if you flip it and forget the key ........dead battery. It is just another thing that can fail. Key only. For me on all my bikes I have ever had with no problems.

Exactly guys...ME 3

Every year in Daytona at our parking lot some cool dude comes in and has to slam the kickstand down or flick the kill switch (either can have the same result) to kill the bike "faster" so he can hop off and talk with long lost friends.......then, forgetting his ignition was left on walks away downtown.  Well you know what the end of this one is.  Happens at least once each time we go.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

I've ALWAYS used the kill switch from the time I started riding on all my bikes. It is second nature if you go down and a safety measure. Just how I was taught. 

[RandallT]

Thanks for all of your inputs. I ordered a new starter switch ($100.00 / OUCH!) This thing runs into a nine-pin connector. Do I splice the wires in at the headlight cavity at the nine pin connector? Nothing like a mad dash before bike week

[Chrisj CMA]

Thanks for all of your inputs. I ordered a new starter switch ($100.00 / OUCH!) This thing runs into a nine-pin connector. Do I splice the wires in at the headlight cavity at the nine pin connector? Nothing like a mad dash before bike week

Shouldn't have to splice anything.  It does plug in inside the headlight bucket, but just plug it in where the old one came off from.........

[DK]

It has been my experience that a rarely used switch is even more likely to fail especially if often exposed to the elements. Seasonally used farm equipment Often has this problem.

Every few weeks during the riding season & before long trips when giving the Valk an especially thorough going over, I rinse down all the switches with electrical contact cleaner & lubricant. Very rarely have a problem & never on the Valk. (Yet)

On non-critical things (flashlights, fans, power tools) if the switch fails this is the first thing I do. It usually works.

You don't have to take the switch apart. The stuff seeps in like a champ. I used it successfully on one of those cheap give away rubber bubble switch LED flashlights only late last week.