Resolved: Handlebar Start Switch is Intermittent

[The Mindless Philosopher]

New issue; The Curse continues (not surprised)...

Turn the ignition key, and I get lights, fuel pump, water pump, and the transmission cooling fan (normal).

Set the kill switch to the "Run" position.

Press the "Start" switch on the handlebar, and it just sits there an stares at me. Nothing. Nothing at all.

After a few more presses of the start switch, it says, "Ohhhhhh! You must want me to do something?" Electrical current flows and the starter turns.

Sometimes this happens, sometimes it does its thing right away, like it's supposed to.

I STINK with electricity. Only have an el cheapo meter that reads Volts and Ohms. Not sure where to start troubleshooting this one. Tear apart the right handlebar controls? Any suggestions?

Thank you.

[The Mindless Philosopher]

Hmmm...

I might need to do something like this...

https://advrider.com/f/threads/rebuildi ... -6.462864/

https://www.fixmyhog.com/video/harley-h ... st-011407/

[The Mindless Philosopher]

It's not easy being dyslexic. This looks like a good write-up, but I'm having a hard time analyzing it. I'll sort it out eventually. This looks like it might be just the thing I'm looking for, though!

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2398&p=16643&hilit= ... tch#p16643

[knockdolian]

Your in luck my friend electrics is my thing. First thing. Mine will start on the key like a car as well as the start button. The previous owner didn’t know there was two ways to start. Have you tried that.
This is a process of illumination because you have
The start switch
The kill switch
A relay
The transmission interlock. The start switch is the most likely cause as you say if you continue pressing it , it will start. Open up the switch housing and give it a good spray of WD40. Do you have a wireing diagram?

[The Mindless Philosopher]

No wiring diagram, but I'm familiar with the front end of the trike from the rear of the gas tank forward. It's laid out nicely from the factory; clean and well labeled.

Unfortunately, I'm delayed for now. A bug has me laid up in bed.

[Paul H]

Get well soon and please keep posting.
You've brought this site back to life.

Paul H

[The Mindless Philosopher]

On the bright side: at the rate I'm going, there won't be any square inch of this trike I am not familiar with!

[knockdolian]

Yes, and again what PAUL said.
Hope your feeling better soon .

[The Mindless Philosopher]

Open up the switch housing and give it a good spray of WD40.

I opened it a hair too much. Lost the tiny screw and washer that connect the switch set to the inside of the housing. I had to make do with a close enough match from my grab pile of random screws. No idea where on earth the original rocketed off to after it slipped from my fingers and bounced off the foot peg. Not a show stopper, just more needless irritation.

The housing is still disassembled for now. It wound me up too tight. Gonna watch some TV for a bit then get back at it.

[knockdolian]

You will be able to test the switch from the junction under the tank.

[The Mindless Philosopher]

This appears to be resolved.

After reassembling the controls last night, the trike fired right up without any fuss. I took a short ride to the local convenince store. It fired up without any hestation there, too. And again this morning, it roared to life in the cool weather without any coaxing or pampering and no throttle to wet its whistle. That part puzzles me a bit, as in all the previous days, I've had to pump fuel into the carburetor (1901) to get it to cooperate after sitting overnight in cool (49+/- F) temperature. I had always chalked it up to being a grouchy old Chevrolet. I've owned several "cold natured" hard starters in the four-legged variety over the years. But, this is a new one on me. Slathering the start switch in WD-40 has some kind of strange, mythical power I do not yet comprehend...

[The Mindless Philosopher]

Several more immediate, non-crabby starts! WD-40 truly is magic!

[The Mindless Philosopher]

Magic juice worked for only a little while. Having the same issues again. Going to replace the switch set. $23.95 new from ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/112864623779?s ... Track=true

[Paul H]

WD 40, Do you know what the WD
Stands for??? Water Displacement.
It get rid of any wetness there is.
Used to spray the inside of my
distributor cap.

Paul H

[rocketsteve]

I thought it was "War Department"...

(from 2nd WW)

EDIT: I stand corrected, it is Water Displacement - 40th formula apparently.

[Paul H]

Thanks for the checking to make, as
it is now confirmed what it means.
Did you know that GUNK was developed
during WW2 as a lubricant for machine
guns but they found when it got wet
to tuned to soap and washed off all the
lubricant that was already there???

Paul H

[The Mindless Philosopher]

Well, crap. It doesn't stand for Magic Juice. Ha!