Didn't know about the spring issue inside the ignition switch.
First: If there isn't a recall for this switch then I consider that a crime. Truly.
I have an '08 C14 (bought it used, joined the party late). I have been reading virtually everything about this bike. I was very aware of this KIPASS monster. I felt like the guy strapped to the table in a torture chamber with the Sword of Damocles swinging overhead. i.e. It was only a matter of time. Now it's my turn. Yay!
Here is my narrative. I'll try to keep it concise. Troubleshooting is hard enough in First-Person:
No response from the ignition switch (IS) key push from the "Off" position. Key did not turn but it did depress. Tried both FOBs. Placed them on the transponder - nothing. Main Battery checked next - everything tight & 13VDC. I located the wire bundles below the cover to the left of the triple tree. Disconnected and re-connected the grey plug (no more than a 5 second wait to push the switch again). No Workie. I then applied an amount of Mechanical Agitation that I felt comfortable with to this piece of plastic with no luck.
I've read a ton and viewed video that shows a microswitch (MS) integral to the IS. This switch is actuated via a metal tang in the IS. when it is depressed. I assumed that the break/make action of the MS acted to pulse the KIPASS electronics and initiate a startup once that square wave passed through. This is where I may have made a very expensive mistake. The MS is NC and was stuck open. The circuit was energized with 13VDC at the white connector (2 wires, WHT and BRN). I unplugged both the grey and white connectors and measured the operation of the MS through the white connector looking in. Cycling the IS key up and down did not change the resistance, it showed OL, and I did not hear the click.
Could it be that easy? This MS is closed practically all of the time with the 12VDC being delivered to its load. Opening and closing this switch during an engine start sends a negative "pulse". That's all it does physically. Whatever happens downstream is irrelevant. Right?
I cut the 2 wires leading from the WHT connector. I then attached the new MS to the plug (photo). The unknown at this point is whether or not it made any difference if the IS was pressed to get the system booted up when the new MS was pressed. So I pressed the IS and then pulsed the new MS at the same time. I got the icon and the screen lit up on the cluster.
I turned the IS key to ON. The display came alive and I could hear the other normal sounds associated with the engine startup. I then started the motor. Hell Yesssss (I thought). Wait for it... This is where it got "weird". I turned the IS to OFF and the motor did not shut down. I pulsed the new MS and the motor stopped, but, the display remained lit up with the IS in OFF. I didn't have warm N fuzzy feelings. I had tail lights and those two smaller lights in front lit also. Unplugging the grey connector made the lights and the display turn off. Awesome.
Now, being somewhat curious and totally dissatisfied with my results I tried another engine start. It was like I hadn't done a thing to the circuit. It won't start, the cluster does not energize. I checked the 2 KIPASS fuses beneath the seat (middle fuse holder). Both 10A fuses are good. Is there another fuse?
That's where I'm at. Scratching my head and starting to add up the cost of trailering the bike to our local stealer. I am considering replacing the IS with a new assembly myself (anyone have a spare?). I think this involves removing the top of the triple tree and drilling out 2 bolts. Anyway, that's where it stands right now. I can almost hear the wheels turning in the collective craniums of this forum. I would like to hear from you all.
Tree.
Hi Brian. I appreciate your observations. I must admit that my "solution" to the ignition switch issue that I had is nothing short of kludge. For those of you who do not know what kludge is don't worry, it is/was a term my friends and I heard back in the day to refer to a less-than-pretty solution to a programming issue. Needless to say, I don't write code any more. Too many 1's & 0's.
I tend to tear into broken stuff and then wade my way out while I try to figure out how it was suppose to work. I think I have a 50/50 success rate going it on my own. If I just can't figure it out then I post my ineptitude on this board in the hope that I don't get too badly beaten. I think I have a 50/50 success rate with that approach also. (The beatings will continue until morale improves!)
My post about the KIPASS issue makes for interesting reading and I come back and re-read it from time to time just for S&G's. The toggle switch that I installed is doing what I need it to do. I don't touch the ignition key any more and it stays in the OFF position. I shut the bike down using the Kill Switch and I'm OK with that. I pop the toggle switch down and the ignition system electronics are deenergized.
The installation of the toggle switch was meant to take the microswitch (internal to the ignition switch) out of the circuit since it was getting stuck open. If I really had the time/patience/desire/skill/money I would have pushed for a more elegant (spoken: correct) solution. Failing that, I did what I did and I am thankful that the bike didn't turn into a fireball.
Hi Brian. I appreciate your observations. I must admit that my "solution" to the ignition switch issue that I had is nothing short of kludge. For those of you who do not know what kludge is don't worry, it is/was a term my friends and I heard back in the day to refer to a less-than-pretty solution to a programming issue. Needless to say, I don't write code any more. Too many 1's & 0's.
I tend to tear into broken stuff and then wade my way out while I try to figure out how it was suppose to work. I think I have a 50/50 success rate going it on my own. If I just can't figure it out then I post my ineptitude on this board in the hope that I don't get too badly beaten. I think I have a 50/50 success rate with that approach also. (The beatings will continue until morale improves!)
My post about the KIPASS issue makes for interesting reading and I come back and re-read it from time to time just for S&G's. The toggle switch that I installed is doing what I need it to do. I don't touch the ignition key any more and it stays in the OFF position. I shut the bike down using the Kill Switch and I'm OK with that. I pop the toggle switch down and the ignition system electronics are deenergized.
The installation of the toggle switch was meant to take the microswitch (internal to the ignition switch) out of the circuit since it was getting stuck open. If I really had the time/patience/desire/skill/money I would have pushed for a more elegant (spoken: correct) solution. Failing that, I did what I did and I am thankful that the bike didn't turn into a fireball.
The installation of the toggle switch was meant to take the microswitch (internal to the ignition switch) out of the circuit since it was getting stuck open.
Brian - There is no perceived slight or maltreatment of any kind. So please don't worry about me being offended and defensive in any way. I am familiar with your writing style and I have no problems with how you communicate your ideas. I get it.
The following is for Brian and anybody else out there that thinks I am insane. Because I am.
So, the ignition switch. I will try to give a chronology the best that I can if the initial post and subsequent explanations are still not clear. And they might not be clear considering my brain gets a little foggy. Especially since this all occurred a year ago.
<snip>
So that's what I have. An externally mounted toggle switch connected in place of the one that is internal to the ignition switch. When I flip the toggle ON the instrument cluster spins up and I can start the bike, as long as the fob is within range. To shut down I could just flip the toggle switch to OFF - that will shut down the motor and instrument cluster. Instead I use the Kill switch on the right and then flip the toggle down after placing the bike on the kickstand. I can't completely explain why it works, I just know that I can start and stop the motor using this method now.
I feel that I left something out but I will have to wait for you guys to chew on this and post your questions.
I told you I was INSANE.