Ignition Switch fail on X Challenge

[mhsnowy]

Talk about a scary moment!!

Had a handful of occasions where I turn on the ignition key and nothing happens. Turn it off and back on and all good.
Anyway I was out riding on Salisbury Plain on Saturday night when everything went out while doing about 40mph, but a split second later it all returned. I tried wiggling wires and connectors but couldn't replicate the problem.

About 30 mins later while riding along a country road it happened again only this time I was doing about 55mph.
I grabbed the brakes and tried desperately to stay upright and keep to the centre of the road. It was absolutely pitch black with no light at all.

I failed on both counts but fortunately slowed down enough to not do any damage to me or the bike. Just as I came almost to a stop the front wheel hit the nearside kerb and the bike went down but luck was on my side as the bank was quite high so didn't fall very far.

Tried to turn the key but it was jammed solid and still no ignition. In the distance I could see some lights on in a building so pushed the bike about half a mile towards the lights where I was able to use the lights to hot wire the ignition to enable me to carry on.

Is the switch available separately or do I need to get a complete lock set? Pain in the arse having to have 2 different keys!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Common failure and it's the 2 pins on the barrel casing, that make contact when the ignition key is turned

About £50 from a BMW dealer and you can still retain your original key

 

[MikeO]

An object lesson in why you ought to investigate and fix a problem and not just hope it'll go away

Glad you survived...

 

[mhsnowy]

Common failure and it's the 2 pins on the barrel casing, that make contact when the ignition key is turned

About £50 from a BMW dealer and you can still retain your original key

That won't be too bad, although would that cause the key to jam in the lock?

 

[mhsnowy]

An object lesson in why you ought to investigate and fix a problem and not just hope it'll go away

Glad you survived...

I did investigate it by trying to replicate the fault but it wouldn't do it when I tried to make it happen.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

That won't be too bad, although would that cause the key to jam in the lock?

It didn't when mine failed, perhaps you were a bit rough with the key................in your moment of panic

 

[Losttheplot]

Common failure and it's the 2 pins on the barrel casing, that make contact when the ignition key is turned

About £50 from a BMW dealer and you can still retain your original key

When mine failed for the second time, i popped the black plastic cover off the back of the switch, you just need a small screwdriver to push the little tabs in, then you could see that one of the wires had broken off the pin. 10 minutes with a soldering iron and it's never been a problem since.

 

[mhsnowy]

When mine failed for the second time, i popped the black plastic cover off the back of the switch, you just need a small screwdriver to push the little tabs in, then you could see that one of the wires had broken off the pin. 10 minutes with a soldering iron and it's never been a problem since.

I'll have a look at that later. That would be even better!

 

[drimcong]

yep did what Losttheplot says, the green wire had poped it's solder spot, some discolouration, maybe it got to hot.
worthwhile to check
Josey

 

[mhsnowy]

Took the plastic bit off the bottom and one of the wires had come off.
I tried the key in the lock and it must have a dodgy pin or something because it feels notchy and does stick every now and again.

Went to local dealer today and ordered a lock set.......Full ignition, 2 keys, fuel cap and wait for it.....a helmet lock?? (99p more that just the ignition, set to the same as my current keys.)
I asked about the seat release but thats not part of the lock set but if ordered after you can get a matching key.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Helmet Lock?

 

[Losttheplot]

Helmet Lock?

? Not seen one on an XChallenge before...

 

[mhsnowy]

Nor have I and nor has the guy in the shop.

Does the Xcountry or Xmoto have one?

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0165&mospid=51545&btnr=51_0167&hg=51&fg=15

 

[Jonbontjofi]

If you use the bike off road, these seem to break regularly. As I don't leave mine anywhere to cause a problem I've done away with the ignition switch and re-wired a hidden rocker switch. Had 2 DNFs on rallies, so not bothering with replacing the barrel again.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Nor have I and nor has the guy in the shop.

Does the Xcountry or Xmoto have one?

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0165&mospid=51545&btnr=51_0167&hg=51&fg=15

Nope..

 

[mhsnowy]

I'm hoping its a drawing error and I'll get the seat lock instead.

 

[Micky]

There's a bit of wire with a loop on the end, under the seat ... helmet lock?

 

[ONYERBIKE]

There's a bit of wire with a loop on the end, under the seat ... helmet lock?

From memory, the bit of wire under the seat was to drop the number plate holder/light off for taking the bike off road, it just leaves the red rear/brake light.

 

[mhsnowy]

If its the one labeled 7 on the parts fische then yes that is used as part of the helmet lock.

The number plate release is a sheathed cable with a loop that releases the number plate for off road.

 

[mhsnowy]

Just an update.......Got the full lock set and it is the release lock and not the helmet lock as labeled and shown on the parts diagram.

Also took the bottom off the ignition barrel to check how well soldered the connections were and they have been done properly from the factory.

All in all for £116 I got the ignition barrel complete, locking fuel cap, seat release lock (but no cable) and 2 keys.