Help !! Ignition wont switch off

[nozza]

Bikes been laid up for a month but i've been turning it over once a week. Just getting ready to ride to work and the ignition wont switch off !! used engine kill but lights still on and runs with key out when stearing locked.
Have disconnected battery n havin a brew in the hope it rights itself when i reconnect
Any ideas would be helpful guys.
Cheers
Nozza

 

[John Armstrong]

My 650 twin had the same problem, apparently at the bottom of where you stick the key in is a switch which can fail in the always live position only took about 30 minutes for the dealer to change. You might have a simialr problem.

 

[nozza]

Cheers John for reply, gonna attack it wi mi little red straw on a can of WD40 in a min n pray.
Brian

 

[Tim Cullis]

My F65GS twin also had the same problem and it turned out to be damp in the switch. Loads of WD40 and dry rags eventually sorted it.

I also had a EWS warning but this was due to the ignition coming on without the key being present, so it was part of the same problem.

 

[DanielM]

I just posted this problem a few mins ago!

I had exactly the same issue, there are two poor quality microswitches in the ignition switch, these have a silicone rubber around them, and the rubber on the left hand side stops it from working. If you can get it off (took the BMW guy 5 mins with proper tool).

As the last post mentioned, you will probably see an EWS error shortly. Essentially, you might be able to fix this with some WD40 etc, but its better of to replace the unit if you can.

 

[nozza]

Just seen yer post Dan, glad you got sorted. Just reconnected bat and still the same argh !! I aint got no warrenty so I'm looking at a pick up n a heavy bill i cant afford right now. Better put the cover back over n ring a taxi for work (as if i'm in the mood now) rethink tomorrow.
Thanks guys for getting back to me.
Brian

 

[MIKE R]

Just seen yer post Dan, glad you got sorted. Just reconnected bat and still the same argh !! I aint got no warrenty so I'm looking at a pick up n a heavy bill i cant afford right now. Better put the cover back over n ring a taxi for work (as if i'm in the mood now) rethink tomorrow.
Thanks guys for getting back to me.
Brian

I live just up the road from you. If I can help give me a shout.

Brilliant avatar, by the way....UTCs

 

[Pukmeister]

Sounds like the ignition switch contacts alright, shouldn't be a huge job to fix. I think the ignition barrel is secured by shear-headed security bolts which may need drilling out.

 

[scottpa]

As folks say, there is a microswitch unit at the bottom of the igniton barrel and it is that that turns the bike's systems on and off.
It's held on the bottom with a couple of small torx screws. Undo them and it will pull off the igniton assembly.
You don't actually need to remove the rest of the ignition/ews (which does have security bolts)
A little shaft slots into the microswitch assembly to turn it and activate the igniton.
Try removing and rotating the switch manually to see if it turns on/off the igniton. You can try a squirt of WD40.

If it is duff, US micrcrofiche gives the part number as 61317681555 and about $75 so probably £40-£45.

 

[nozza]

Cheers guys for your help n support , thanks for the offer of calling down Mike it was appreciated, strange i've never seen another GS you being local. Shes up n running but think i might get it changed when next serviced. Gonna take her for a run to get rid of the half can of WD thats running out of her !!
Thanks again fella's
Brian