| Author |
Message |
    
Scruffy
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 04:38 pm: | 
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I have a 2003 Firebolt that has recently developed a small problem. Two weeks ago, turning the key off didn't shut off the engine. (I had to use the thumb switch) I thought I would get around to looking for a problem some other time, but a couple nights later, I found that my new problem had something to do with the headlights. They wouldn't come on when the key was on. Since then, I have unplugged two connectors associated with the headlights, and now there is no issue with the ignition switch. The few times I have ridden at night, I just wire the headlights directly to the battery. (Everything works good when I do this.) I just can't figure out why a headlight circuit could affect my ignition system in this way. Has anybody else ever had this on their Firebolt? |
Sparky
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 07:46 pm: |
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You rang? in my best Lurch voice...
I think that either 1) your Ignition Switch has "Jumped the Shark" and needs replacing, 2) the Ignition relay is defective, 3) the Key Switch relay is defective, 4) both Ignition and Key Switch relays are defective or 5) there is a wire harness problem affecting the Ignition Switch.
When the first problem occurred, did the headlights turn off when you turned the key off (and the engine kept running)? |
Scruffy
| | Posted on Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 12:56 pm: |
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Sparky,
When I was having headlight problems, I decided I would go to the dealer because I heard there was a recall involving the headlights. It turns out that the recall just involves the housing, and nothing electrical. But I kept my appointment anyway, and got my housing changed yesterday. When I left, the mechanic told me that one of my connectors for the headlights wasn't making good contact. So I squeezed both headlight plugs a little so they would grip the spade a little bit better. It seemed to work, because my headlights and ignition are now working fine. Everything worked perfectly until I plugged in the last turn signal. Now the tail-light, signals, gauge cluster, and kickstand switch are not working. I swapped all the relays to make sure nothing was up with my ignition relay, and I checked all my fuses. I am considering buying a manual with a very detailed wiring diagram, because this is only getting weirder. Any thoughts? |
Sparky
| | Posted on Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 01:50 pm: |
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Look at all the ground connections where wires attach to the frame. Not physically look at them but unscrew the screw, make sure the wire lugs are shiny and clean, make sure the frame area is clean at the mount point and kinda do a gentle wiggle test on each wire at the lug to make sure there is not an intermittent break there.
I'm thinking a service manual would be your best bet too for tracing this stuff. This stuff can get weird but troubleshooting and not having a road map (wiring diagram) is like shooting in the dark. |
Gatorbike
| | Posted on Friday, November 20, 2009 - 03:43 pm: |
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Is your engine light flashing continuously when you turn the ignition on? I think I have the same issue. |
Gatorbike
| | Posted on Monday, December 14, 2009 - 09:26 pm: |
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Don't replace the ignition switch ($120 for the switch, $27 for a TR45 tamper resistant torx and still issues. Also cleaned the ground behind the cowl... still no fix!! |
Rays
| | Posted on Friday, December 18, 2009 - 06:14 am: |
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Sounds like Sparky is on the right track - this post from the archives doesn't specify where the problem was but it looks like a similar fault.
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/412891.html?1236035417 |
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XB9R Ignition Issue (In search of Sparky)