1997 Ignition issues

[Mellis0705]

Hey guys,

I just got a 1997 Valk from my Father-in-law's estate so I'm new to these beasts.  I was riding it in town and stopped at a store just like I had done at any number of places.  I switched the bike off with the kill switch, then the key and put it in neutral just like always.  When I came back out to start it again, with the key on (and headlights and light bar) there is nothing when I go to turn it over.  It isn't engaging the starter at all but there is power to the switch, the headlights and light bar.  I've checked the battery and it is good (even charged it to full charge to make sure) and I've checked all of the fuses.  Where do I need to go next?  I really don't want to pay a dealer to go through this......

Thanks, Mellis0705

[Chrisj CMA]

You just need to clean and service the starter button

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/VSGPages/starterbutton.htm

[Robert]

Play with the kill switch and the headlight switch also a little WD40 sprayed in there will be good. Another thing I know you said it was in neutral but make sure because sometimes the switch on the brakes lever goes bad and although you have it in the bike still doesn't start. The Kickstand down and not in neutral did it to me a couple of times.

[indybobm]

I vote for the kill switch. You can have lights with the key switch on and the kill switch can still keep it from turning over, it is a separate circuit. Like Robert said, exercise the kill switch a number of times. When it starts - leave the kill switch alone! Do not use it to stop the engine, just another intermittent problem waiting to happen. 

[da prez]

I dis-agree with the WD-40. It only makes a mess. It will not get to the contacts. Take the switch apart as per the tech archives and contact Bon S and get his headlight conversion kit. Save yourself a lot of problems and do it right the first time.

                                          da prez

[Gryphon Rider]

Play with the kill switch and the headlight switch also a little WD40 sprayed in there will be good. Another thing I know you said it was in neutral but make sure because sometimes the switch on the brakes lever goes bad and although you have it in the bike still doesn't start. The Kickstand down and not in neutral did it to me a couple of times.

NEVER WD-40 in electrical equipment; the residue left over will attract dust an make for a dirty switch.  If you're going to spray anything into a switch, spray electrical contact cleaner.

[John Schmidt]

Agreed on BonS' Smart Switch, and by all means....get those driving lights on the light bar out of the headlight circuit. Isolate it totally from that circuit. That extra load on the start switch is probably what gave you the trouble in the first place.

[Mellis0705]

Thank you all for the comments and help.  I will definitely be trying this solution this weekend to see if I can get her back on the road again.  I completely agree with the comment about WD-40 attracting dust and grime and I appreciate the comment (and I'm sure it would work in a pinch) but I live in West Texas so we have more than our fair share of dust and dirt to deal with anyway.

I will give this a shot and let you know how it goes!

[Bugslayer]

Thank you all for the comments and help.  I will definitely be trying this solution this weekend to see if I can get her back on the road again.  I completely agree with the comment about WD-40 attracting dust and grime and I appreciate the comment (and I'm sure it would work in a pinch) but I live in West Texas so we have more than our fair share of dust and dirt to deal with anyway.

I will give this a shot and let you know how it goes!

Where in West Texas are you?.... I'm in Lubbock.

[Itinifni]

I have the same issue on my 97, flip the kill switch a couple of times and it fires right up. Servicing the switch is on my list of things to do, for the time being I just don't use it.

[Mellis0705]

Thank you all again for your help and the helpful links.  All of the information was right and it only took a little contact cleaner, some 2000 grit sandpaper (instead of steel wool) and about 20 minutes of time and I was back on the road again. 

@ Bugslayer - I live in Midland and travel to Lubbock pretty frequently.