Ignition Problem - Stranded in MT

[tschutter]

Hey friends, see if you can help me out? I'm stuck (with my 2 brothers) in Dupuyer MT with a bad ignition. We diagnosed it earlier this afternoon by fiddling with the wires that exit the bottom of the ignition. We found that if we exert a little tension pulling the wires out, that the ignition worked. So we zip tied the wires and use a boot lace to pull on all 5 wires. This worked and we rode 30 miles. When I turned the key off, it won't turn back on.
What I asking for is a way the rig this to get me home. Right now we are considering cutting the red and brown wires and connecting them with a wire nut, maybe with a switch if we can find one.
Please let me know if your ideas?
07 FJR A

[Boston]

Have you checked under the tank for the connector that the switch plugs into? Just a thought.
By pulling on wires outside you may have moved the wires under the tank.
instead of cutting wires you might could try a 3M scotch lock to join two wires.
$0.02

[Hppants]

Can you post a picture of which wires you are dealing with? Or better yet - a short video of what you have learned to do to temporarily fix it?

[SkooterG]

I posted a reply on FJRForum. There is much more historical data over there regarding this issue.

[LKLD]

I’m the last person you would want to help with electrical issues, unfortunately, but all the best with getting it figured out.

[tschutter]

I cut the wires and put bigs together and smalls together and it fired. So I'm off to get a switch. Back on the road.

[raYzerman]

I think you need all 4 wires working, but if one is pulled off (needs soldering) the switch, then you'll have to remove the upper triple clamp and flip it over.

IF you have to replace the switch, you have to drill out the two mounting bolts, I recommend a small pilot hole down the middle first, then follow up with a 3/8" drill until the heads come off.... replace with any M8 bolt I think 30mm long.

[dcarver]

Been there done that!

[gixxerjasen]

I’m the last person you would want to help with electrical issues

Get in line!

[wheatonFJR]

I’m the last person you would want to help with electrical issues

Get in line!

Yo! You first. Im way back here at the end of the line. #electricityISmagic

[gixxerjasen]

I'm like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Always first in line to be last place.

[LKLD]

I'm like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Always first in line to be last place.

4 straight years as NFC South Champion Buccaneers?

Ok, ok, they just sucked a little less than the other 3 teams to win them, but still…not last place.

[gixxerjasen]

Best of the worst!

[tschutter]

So here is more of the story. At one point the bike was running and we were about to go, till I put it in gear and it died. We didn't know them but the ECU will lock a code if the side stand is buggered too long. The fix for this is to reset the diags. But, not knowing this, we went back to toying with the wires. Then we couldn't get the bike to run. Ugg.
Now my two brothers drove their trucks here (one from Oregon, the other from Michigan) so Doug took his Super Tennerae back to the truck (4 hour drive), loaded it back on the truck, then brought his truck with ST and his Honda 300 on it. We offloaded both of his bikes and loaded mine. Then we left the truck, he on the 300 and me on the Super Tennerae. We're doing some short rides in the area till Friday when I'll take the ST home, he'll do the Wyoming BDR with my other brother, then take mine and his 300 home in the truck. We love 90 minutes apart so he'll bring my bike back to me and I'll do the repairs.
Once home, I'll repair the ignition switch (install a relay so the power doesn't go through the switch), repair the side stand wiring, then fix the ECU.

[tschutter]

So here is more of the story. At one point the bike was running and we were about to go, till I put it in gear and it died. We didn't know them but the ECU will lock a code if the side stand is buggered too long. The fix for this is to reset the diags. But, not knowing this, we went back to toying with the wires. Then we couldn't get the bike to run. Ugg.
Now my two brothers drove their trucks here (one from Oregon, the other from Michigan) so Doug took his Super Tennerae back to the truck (4 hour drive), loaded it back on the truck, then brought his truck with ST and his Honda 300 on it. We offloaded both of his bikes and loaded mine. Then we left the truck, he on the 300 and me on the Super Tennerae. We're doing some short rides in the area till Friday when I'll take the ST home, he'll do the Wyoming BDR with my other brother, then take mine and his 300 home in the truck. We live 90 minutes apart so he'll bring my bike back to me and I'll do the repairs.
Once home, I'll repair the ignition switch (install a relay so the power doesn't go through the switch), repair the side stand wiring, then fix the ECU.

[tschutter]

I'd like to send pics, but the cell coverage is so bad, I can't.
Thank you for all your input and encouraging words.
As momma always said 'We're making memories, nobody said they would all be good.'

[tschutter]

I'd like to send pics, but the cell coverage is so bad, I can't.
Thank you for all your input and encouraging words.
As momma always said 'We're making memories, nobody said they would all be good.'

[raYzerman]

Sidestand switches can be an issue, might just need cleaning up...... may not be fully returning to home (crudded up?). However, sidestand retracted means the circuit is closed, so.... if you find the connector, unplug it and short the terminals. It will then think the sidestand is up and all should work normally... but don't put the sidestand down if you're moving!

Not sure you need a relay for the ignition switch power.... a bit overkill?? But I would check it out anyway, clean it up, resolder, etc. if need be. Or replace with an OEM. Not sure about those Chinese knockoffs.

As far as the error code..... if you can clear it, it means the error is stored in history as a past event. Won't cause an issue. But if active, you won't be able to clear it and have to fix the active condition first..... then you can either leave it stored or clear it.

[BikerGeek]

I’m the last person you would want to help with electrical issues

Get in line!

Hold my beer...

And this reminds me of a bit of clusterfuckerry from EOM 2011. We got back from a ride to see a flurry of activity around Jagermeister's bike, working to 'fix' a suspected ignition switch failure. Seems to me that it wasn't the ignition switch, but something else. Maybe Wayne can chime in with more details. Picture for impact.

[gixxerjasen]

And this reminds me of a bit of clusterfuckerry from EOM 2011. We got back from a ride to see a flurry of activity around Jagermeister's bike, working to 'fix' a suspected ignition switch failure. Seems to me that it wasn't the ignition switch, but something else. Maybe Wayne can chime in with more details. Picture for impact.

I don't think anything will ever outdo the amount of clusterfuckerry at SFO trying to sort out Poolboy's trailer lights. Simple trailer lights and like six drunk guys couldn't figure out how to get them working.

Thankfully I was but a bystander for that one.