Kill switch kills?

My bike, perfectly reliable until recently, refuses to start. All was fine, and then it was not. I have tried various tests, and find I have no spark (if I am doing that test right), have no voltage at the CDI (though I am not sure if I should before the bike is running), and, backing up along the wiring, cannot find continuity across the kill switch. I have the wiring diagram pdf, and cannot quite id some of the wire colors from it, but it seems that the kill switch does several things. I have tested between black and black/white, and get an open reading, no matter what I do with the switch itself. The starter and brake both close their circuits fine. I cannot quite tell, however, what wire the kill switch is supposed to operate on, and any advise would be most welcome. I have also wondered about jumping the kill switch to see if that lets the bike start, but that seems more complex. Help.

 

Fuse #3 provides system voltage to the engine stop switch and the starter switch along the Black wire. When the engine stop switch is closed the Black White wire supplies system voltage to the ignition coils and the CDI. Disconnect the CDI and the coils and check the voltage at the switch with a meter, the wires at the switch are easily tested with the unit removed. Jumping the two wires together if the switch has failed is fine but smart money say's it is just dirty if it is the failure. I fit is junk a later model switch gear is a direct replacement with no mods needed, I have a gen 5 on mine and the starter switch is a much improved design.

 

Thanks - very useful. So does the kill switch just connect hot black to black/white? The wiring diagram seems to show three switches in there, though that mystified me. I will remove the switch gear as soon as I can get to the bike.

 

Yes the engine stop switch just connects the two and closes the circuit. The other two in the diagram are the brake light switch and the starter button. Two different circuits but in the same harness.

 

Perfect -- thanks. I found the other two pairs of wires (and tested them just for fun). I am not sure still why there are seven wires at the connects, since it would seem that three pairs would do.

 

Please tell us which bike you have next time. Thanks.

 

It runs! Removed the switch and bathed it in contact cleaner, and all is well. Continuity across the switch, voltage at the CDI, ignition. Now reassembly. Thanks so much for the help. (1986 VFR750).

 

SWEET! I love a happy ending.

 

It's helpful for riders to state the mileage of their bikes too and is usually helpful when diagnosing faults, right Don ? Darn kids !