Broken Connection in Ignition Switch

tdragger

Living Legend
Joined
Jul 8, 2007
Messages
3,597
Location
Fredericksburg, VA
Of all the silliest little things to go wrong!!

Was at a client site Thursday in Northern Virginia and went to get on the Roc at lunch. Turned the key on, waited for the pre-start routine to finish and hit the Start button. Nothin'. Not a thing. No click. No sound. Checked fuses and all OK. Another rider came out to see what was up and noticed that my headlights were not on. I reached down to turn the key off and when my hand hit the key, the lights flickered. Fortunately, he noticed it and told me to move the key again. With me holding the clutch and moving the key, he watched until the headlights came on and hit the starter. Vroom. Joy was restored. When I let go of the key the headlights went out again but I had all other electrics so I hightailed it back to Fredericksburg.

Since moving the key seemed to be at the source of the problem, I proceeded this morning to pull the ignition switch. Fortunately, I had installed the relocation kit last fall and this made for an easy removal. Once it was off the bike, I did one of those high powered engineering tests (I shook it) and heard an unnatural rattle in the lower portion of the switch housing. After disassembly, I discovered that one of the solder connections had broken off.

brokenconnection.jpg


It appears that the Orange looking cable on the right was connected to the silver plate that is shown between the White and Yellow cables. It also looks like the solder joint was bridged between the Orange and the White cables. I think that I can re-solder the cable back down. What do you other Captains think?

My alternative is to buy a new ignition and key set for $350. Or, since I'm still under warrenty, I could load up the Roc and take it to the dealer (56 miles away) and wait a few weeks to see if Triumph will cover the fix.

Thoughts o' wise ones?
 
Tried the re-solder route to no avail. Had everything looking right and still having odd results. Probably due to my lack of soldering skills.

Called around and got a new ignition switch w/ keys from Pure Triumph in Miami for $142 shipped. They had it in stock and it should be here Wed or Thu. Local dealer said that the ignition switch wasn't even stocked in the States and that I would have to order the full $350 set.
 
You should send them back your faulty switch and ask them to get it warranteed. Its no skin off their nose and you get your money back.
 
Bad workmanship there, joint breaking away might be due to tension on wires during the switch relocation - but find it hard to think the solder across to the white wire didn't result in another problem elsewhere :?
 
Very well could have happened due to the relocation. I won't deny that. However, I did the relocation last September. If there was tension on the wire, why did it take 6 months to break? I haven't noticed any other issues leading up to this. Also, if you notice that the solder looks a little rusted (or otherwise oxidized) coming from the white wire. It makes me wonder if the orange and white were supposed to be bridged.

Regardless, with the new switch on the way, I'll be a little more confident that this won't happen again due to any sloppy repair on my part.
 
Misery loves company so it's sort of a weird relief to get comfirmation that this might be a more widespread problem than just my oddball case. Fortunately I was able to ride home and not have to do a field repair. I can't say enough good things about Pure Triumph out of Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. This is the second time that I've been told by local dealers that parts were not available yet Pure Triumph has it in stock and in my mailbox in a few days. http://www.pure-triumph.com
 
Happened to my friend's '05. Today his throttle cable popped...all 7 strands! That one nearly got him cause it happened that he really needed a shot of power...instead, a total flameout!??
 
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