1200 GSA IGNITION PROBLEM RESOLVED

[Ianak]

I posted yesterday a problem where my ignition on my GSA 1200 would not turn off even taking the key out the engine kept running
I removed the switch then the cover inside there are 2 micro switches side by side which ane operated by a rotary cam the problem was the tiny seals around the switch plungers were dry so when depressed by the cam they stayed depressed when the cam was rotated to the off position
now greased with silicone grease they work as they should

my initial thought was water ingress because the key lock had been frozen over the cold spell but the switch is desiged in such that it should not suffer from water ingress via the key opening

an easy fix to the switch a bit of a devil getting in the 2 small screws that hold the switch under the key lock assembly


Ian

 

[wheelnut]

Mine did that last year. Warranty job though.

 

[Shrimpo]

Possibly related problem.

I was touring with mates to the Western Isles late last year and rode to Oban in the worst rain I have seen on the road. When I got to Oban I jumped off the bike and headed into the ferry teminal only to be told 10 minutes later the bike was trying to start itself. Interesting given the key was in my pocket.

One very dead battery meant a quick jumpstart to get onto the ferry and tow starts from my mates Varadero (the shame still burns) for the next 2 days island hopping. I didn't have the kit to check if the battery was charging fully (the lights worked ok though) but I could never restart it so I wonder if the bike trying to start itself absolutely killed the battery (an Odyssey) as well as there being some sort of short or whatever in the first place.

The bike is dead as a dodo now and I've yet to be able to give it the once over as it lives on the street and tow starts looked an iffy prospect in snow.. I'll begin the investingation at the switch as you did.

I can't help but think that water played a big role in my problem. It was wetter than an Otters Pocket!

Any advice from anyone else more than welcome though. Electrical gubbins are mysterious to me but I'm keen to change that.

 

[John Armstrong]

Any advice from anyone else more than welcome though. Electrical gubbins are mysterious to me but I'm keen to change that.

Did you try disconnecting the battery after stopping the engine with the kill switch?

 

[Ianak]

Did you try disconnecting the battery after stopping the engine with the kill switch?

Yes John I did disconnect the battery but only to conderve the power in the battery otherwise I was left with the ignition and headlight on draining the battery

my point is ithis = if you fall victim to this particular fault dont panic its an easy fix you dont need to call an expert and fork out a fortune for a repair you can easily do yourself you will need need a small torx bit to remove the switch and carefully prise it apart lubticate the small switch plungers so they click like micro switches do and pop it back together 1/2 hour tops