Bobs05

Welcome!
I too used to spend a lot of time on chromeheads.org (sold my CLC to buy the Rocket)

Hi and welcome Bob, from Australia

Well, I don't know whether I jinxed myself by wearing a BMW Motorcycles shirt yesterday when riding the Rocket, or acknowledging the Eastern Beaver Relay without knowing anything about it, but the bike would not start to get me home from work yesterday. It appears that I have all the symptoms of the dreaded ignition swithch failure.

Yesterday morning I rolled the bike out, turned the key and there was nothing. I turned it off, changed the position of the handlebars, turned it back on, and it started right up. I should have been suspicious right there. After work, it was much worse. The gauges would only do their activation sweep and return intermittently, and there were more times when nothing would happen. When it did look right, the gauges would flash off quickly before the neutral light would stay on. Pressing the starter button did nothing. I could hear a faint click down on the right side, under the cover, assuming that is where the starter relay might be. Horn worked, even when the gauge lights were off. Played with the key, exerted different pressure, moved the wires coming out of the bottom of the ignition cylinder. Could not maintain a solid connection. Numerous repetitions of the same, even tried bump starting it after pushing it up a loading dock ramp. Couldn't engage the starter at all.

Roadside assist from Foremost covered $250 of the $300 tow charge to get me home last night, and the Rocket is in the garage today. Good thing I have the BMW as backup!

This morning, I have found two threads that contain similar stories. I'm going back to resume at page 2 of 10 in the common issues forum about the Ignition switch failure. If I can figure out the bypass fix, I might be able to ride it to the dealer, or hopefully be able to fix it myself. Wish me luck.

This should get you going.

Let me try that again....

That's odd. Wednesday I had to use the "direct" link in Photobucket to get my pictures to display. Today I had to use "IMG code" ???

Make sure it is not just a weak battery or loose/corroded battery cable hook up.

Bob, you could as a first step try tracking the wires down from the gauges/ign switch to the connector that sits under the tank at the front. Pull it apart and look at the pins inside. If any are burnt looking you can bridge that connector (just the burnt pin) and it might fix it. Just pulling it apart, making sure it's clean and dry and putting some grease on the pins might be sufficient. This is what moving the bars does - gives that connector a bit of a wiggle. If this doesn't fix your problem then it's more serious.

Thanks for the suggestions, going to give a look under the tank today. I have printed out several posts to use as reference. Hopefully it will be something simple?

Well, here's what I found. Removed seat, side covers, Bearclaw (now I get it!), slid tank back. No sign of burnt wires at the plug after disconnecting, so reconnected the plug. Secured the clutch at handlebars, turned on ignition and got the same intermittent connectivity and starter relay click, still no start. Maybe the starter relay got fried? Dealer does not have a relay in stock, but thinks the ignition module may be toast. He'll check to see if he can get one made to my key on Monday.

Removed the windshield, ignition cover, loosened the plastic inside the Bearclaw, disconnected the plug and pulled the ignition wires out to the front. Removed the two bolts holding the ignition module to the front (difficult from underneath), then had to move the headlights up to get the module out. Reconnected the plug and held the wires in a position to maintain contact, and got the bike to start. Relay is ok. When I let go of the wires, the bike died. When I shook the module, something rattles inside. Must be the broken connection or solder. New ignition module is $177. At least I'm saving on labor costs by doing it myself. Plus I'm getting to know the bike. Should be back on the road in about 2 weeks.

Thanks all for the suggestions! While I've got it apart, I'll order up the EB relay and install my newly procured MotoLights. And probably get a GPS power line too. Gonna take the C out tomorrow, and meet Jack and a couple of Chromehead buddies for breakfast and a ride.