Ignition Switch Problem

Rode to work the other day, all was fine. Went to leave work, turn the key and nothing. The battery is fairly new and plenty of juice. I turn it back and see a tiny flicker on the dash. Doing this several times I find a very small spot just before the key clicks into the starting position and the dash lights up and fuel pump activates. It seems the ignition switch is failing. Is this common? I have never had this happen an any bike I have owned. If the Ignition switch needs to be replaced does that mean I need to get the gas tank lock re-keyed to the new key? I don't want 2 keys for the bike.

It's an 09.

Thanks.

 

I have not tried the spare key yet but I'm wondering if it could be the key and not the switch. Will do this when I get home.

 

I had the same thoughts when I had issues with mine, turns out the never-used spare didn't make any difference.
You can buy only the ignition switch and re-key the gas cap. I end up getting the complete system. The task of replacing it is fairly simple and smooth if you avoid the mistakes I made.

Word of advice: act quickly before there are no switches available. I was told I bought one of the two sets left in the States.

 

Thanks Mofo. I had sent you another PM but I think this answers my question.

 

Do not hesitate to get in touch if there is anything I can help you with.

 

You can remove the electrical section of the switch at the bottom and clean the contacts fairly easily. Probably just dirty as most of us are riding on 15-30 year old switches that are still workin fine, and it's not a common failure. :distrust:

 

The way I had a similar problem fixed on my smaller CB125 was by adding an additional switch and routing the ignition/power through it. The switch looked like a choke (I am not sure what are those switches are called). My key only worked as a handle lock. The bike could be started by any person who knew what the switch did but the handle would still be locked.

I know this is not the safest solution, but could work as a temporary or maybe even a long term fix depending how and where you ride and store your bike. I suggest you use this as the last resort unless nothing else can be worked out or you don't wanna spend more than $5 on the fix.

Squirellman's suggestion looks like it should work for you.

 

check battery connections

 

I'll check the connections. If its that simple this problem is a breeze. If the switch is indeed failing I think I'll go the route as Mofo did and replace all 3 keyed pieces.

 

WHAT ?? Rather than first attempting to clean the contacts ?? :frown-new:

 

use key- lock lube

 

No squirrel I will for sure clean the contacts. I don't throw cash at fixable problems. lol Just saying if after cleaning it still has even intermittent occurances I'll replace. The "I'll check connections" was for SOW, keep im happy. For the record the battery and connections are rock solid.

 

So I looked at the ignition last night, viewing from the underside it looks like some sort of Torx bolt. Is it easier to pull the triple tree off to work on it? Guess its time to buy the complete service manual.

 

Yah, I would try cleaning first ... that said, if the ignition switches are rare, you may want to hop on that ...

 

Downloaded the Manual from VFRD, looks like you yank the triple off to get to the top bolts. Not much detail in the Honda service manual.

 

Taking the triple off is the right way to do it. Pain in the neck if you don't as there is no space or good angle to do it if the tree is on the bike.
In my case, the torx bolt and the two screws holding the ignition to the tree were lock-tight. I had to use air tools and chisel even though I had used WD-40 and other stuff to loosen them up a few times before I actually worked on it.

 

Thanks Mofo. Last night when I looked at it I thought it might be a quick job but I'll save it for the weekend.

 

Based on my experience -and keep in mind I'm not a mechanic- good call on saving it for the weekend. Those bolts may give you a run for your money if they are as tight as mine were.
Once I started using air tools it was a fast job.

 

Applying heat from a torch will help loosen them.

 

I knew about it but didn't have a torch. A hair dryer was not enough.