help with ignition swith Please

[JZ67]

My ignition switch doesn't always fire on contact. I think that it needs cleaning. My Haynes shop manual is very vague, and with my luck I will disassemble and everything will fall out. How difficult is this and how is it done?

[md86]

Not TERRIBLY difficult , actually . Just take your time , and make sure you got enough light .

[JZ67]

thanks MD. So if I remove the two screws on the bottom, will it be obvious after I take it apart?

[Black_peter]

You mean the ignition (key) or the starter (button)
The key switch requires a special tool, unless yours has been
monkeyed already. I used a allen screw and vise grips.
(it's a tiny hex type of screw, not allen so you need a tiny socket) The bottom then unscrews the same way.
Inside are the contact parts and rotor. All could be dirty and the plate may need to be shimmed so it contacts the rotor better..

Now if it's the button:
Remove the control pod (screws at bottom) and clean the
contacts.. I suggest a good smear of di-lectric grease as well on either switch..

[Anonymous]

its called an inverted torx socket

[Black_peter]

Is it?
I guess that makes sense, I had no issues using a 4mm
allen screw though..

[JZ67]

Actually it is the starter button, sorry for the confusion. I removed the assembly and it looked tlike the starter button mechanism is being held in place by a phillips screw. I didn't want to take it apart in case there were small parts that may easily get lost. I can see that there is contact, but cannot tell if there is any corrosion/dirt build up and would rather not take it apart until I get a little more advice.

Do I need to take the staret button out of the housing or can I simply spray it with something to clean it?

[Black_peter]

You can try to spray it with contact cleaner.
They may still carry it at radio shack.
Used to be called "Color Tuner Cleaner"


But maybe you can get some sandpaper or something in there? After having disassembled and reassembled my turnsignal switch I can see your worry about the
"small parts"..

[JZ67]

thank BP, I'll give it a go.

[JZ67]

I took the starter button apart and cleaned it off with some sandpaper, reassembled and it fired no problem. Tried a bunch more times and it did not fire once out of 5 or 6 tries. So I don't really know if I have this thing solved or not.

[md86]

But did it get better ?

[JZ67]

Jury is still out. If it lets me down in front of a bunch of hotties, then no I guess it's not better.

[JZ67]

Okay so I farted around a bit more and I think the starter relay is the culprit.

[md86]

Selenoid ? Litttle round thing near the battery ? What makes you say that ?

[kiba]

Don't forget to check the interlocks. If either the kickstand or clutch switches have bad connections, that would also prevent it from firing.

/kiba