Ignition/ignition key issues.

For a few days now I noticed that I need to wiggle and play with the ignition to get the bike started. Sometimes I turn the key back and forth, and sometimes I need to push it down to completely get it in place to start the engine. This happens every morning when heading to work, but after my full shift.
Should I use graphite, WD-40, 3-in-one oil, dielectric grease? May be I will need a new ignition soon? Any experiences or ideas you can share?
Yes, the bike has been ridden in all kinds of weather except snow and has been soaked in heavy rains in my rides to different states.
Thanks.

 

I would not put any liquid in there at all. If the ignition needs to be cleaned of crud, I would be inclined to have a locksmith deal with that. I don't know what is deepo down in the ignition. To take it apart you risk those damned little springs and tumblers flying all over the place. Then again, everyone has their own level of abilities this way.

As far as lubricating, WD40 is a poor lubricant. It is great for many things, lubricating is not one of them. Spray graphite is messy as hell. Just go get yourself a soft leaded pensil and give the key a good "colouring" with the lead of the pensil and work it in and out of the ignition. You may need to give the key a couple applications. I do this fairly regularily. This will allow easy key insertion and easy key turning. That may resolve the other issue, or not. Mine survives all kinds of weather too.

Give it a try. Good luck.

 

Sorry this may be completely irrelevant as I am not sure if or when VFRs in the US market had the HISS security immobiliser system fitted. In Europe the system was fitted to most vtec models.


If your bike does have the HISS system fitted, then what you describe could actually be caused by interference from any other RFID keys on your key-ring. So removing all other keys is a simple solution. If the HISS immobiliser does not get the appropriate RFID handshake then it will prevent the bike from starting even if you have a valid key in the lock. As I found out the presence of another RFID key nearby (my VW) can occasionally result in a perfectly valid key not being recognised.

If your VFR is like mine then the word HISS will be written around the lock barrel where you put the key in.






SkiMad

 

There is a lubricant just for locks called "LockEase" with graphite suspended in it, use sparingly.

 

I don't know if HISS is available here or not, but in any event, it is not on all VFR's. I recall this subject coming up before and I went out to look see if mine was so equipped. It was not.

 

Seems like your problem is within the electrical part of the switch, not the mechanical. Remove ignition switch from the bike, and separate the bottom (electrical part), then clean the contacts within.

 

A graphite based lubricant should be fine ... but first, I would flush with contact cleaner. It's alcohol based and will clean the contacts and dissipate without damaging anything. Then lube with graphic spray sparingly.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Squirrelman, how difficult is it to remove the ignition?