Possible run switch problem

mech8691 · 03-09-2020, 03:42 PM

I have a 2006 1600D Nomad. After barely a month of riding it, I turned the ignition switch to "run" and everything functioned fine until I thumbed the start button. I heard a single click and the instrument panel went blank. No digital display, no indicator lights, no headlight. Nor does the starter try to engage. When I put it to "off" on the ignition switch, the needle on the speedometer goes to max point and back to zero. I've checked all the fuses and they are all in working order. When I turn it to the "run" position, I still get no response from the bike.

I think it is the ignition (or run) switch that might be bad on the bike. Before I go replacing it, has anyone else had this problem or know of what this could be?

**Sabre-t** · 03-09-2020, 03:50 PM

First and cheapest thing to do is clean the button. I prefer to take it apart, clean it, then put dielectric grease on it before assembling. It may take a few pushes (do the first few with the key off!) to clear the grease off the contacts. The grease keeps moisture from getting in there and causing shorts, which is important if you ride in the rain much.

Some folks just spray WD-40 in there to clean the contacts.

mech8691 · 03-09-2020, 04:58 PM

Sabre-T, Just to make sure I'm understanding, you are suggesting that I clean the contacts on the ignition switch or the start button?

**Sabre-t** · 03-09-2020, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mech8691

Sabre-T, Just to make sure I'm understanding, you are suggesting that I clean the contacts on the ignition switch or the start button?

The start button.

**plumber63** · 03-09-2020, 08:29 PM

Check the Battery and all your ground wires. Really sounds like your battery died.

2UpRider · 03-09-2020, 11:36 PM

Agree on battery and connections. ��

**ringadingh** · 03-10-2020, 08:42 AM

Turn your ignition switch on and off briskly, to see if it makes a connection. t\The contacts may be worn or dirty. This is a known problem on the older bikes.

mech8691 · 03-10-2020, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plumber63

Check the Battery and all your ground wires. Really sounds like your battery died.

I'll give it a shot. I had it on a battery tender all night and rode it about 2 hours before this all happened. If it's the battery, I'm guessing it gave it's final charge. Thanks.

mech8691 · 03-10-2020, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ringadingh

Turn your ignition switch on and off briskly, to see if it makes a connection. t\The contacts may be worn or dirty. This is a known problem on the older bikes.

I'll give that a shot. Thanks.

mech8691 · 03-10-2020, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabre-t

The start button.

I'll give it a good cleaning then. Appreciate the insight.

Bagger rider · 03-21-2020, 11:20 PM

Ok so I’ve had problems like this on other bike , try unplugging the kill /run switch and connect /bridge the wire and if the bike starts then it’s the switch! .

If this doesn’t work try cleaning the plug the the rectifier really as the burn out a lot on bikes and cause this issue and yes sometimes suddenly or intermittently.

Good luck !!!!

DragonLady58 · 03-22-2020, 02:02 AM

Well mech8691, do what they told you to check, everything should be cool....Just have them run a check on your battery up at the parts house....
If its been a while or you've never installed a new battery in your bike, first battery malfunction....put in a new one....

mech8691 · 03-24-2020, 10:34 AM

I appreciate all the insight everyone has given. I have checked the battery and it is 3 months old and holds a proper charge. The start button on the handle bar cluster was cleaned and the ignition switch (to include the plug and wire harness receiver) was cleaned. Still have the issue. I ran a multimeter on the wiring harness where the ignition switch plugs in and have solid connections. I ordered a new ignition switch and will be installing it today when it arrives to see if I have a positive result.

If the switch doesn't work, are there any additional thoughts on where I should be trouble shooting next?

mech8691 · 04-09-2020, 10:56 AM

No progress as I got the new "OEM" ignition switch in and the plug on the switch that goes to the wiring harness is a male side of the plug. The plug on the one I took off the bike is a female side. I'm having a semi-difficult time finding a replacement switch that has the correct side of the plug.

mech8691 · 04-16-2020, 05:46 PM

I got the new switch in and installed it on the bike. Still have the same issue. Full battery charge, all fuses good, all connections good. I get no response from any of the lights (brake, headlight, turn signals, etc.). I've been told that it might be a voltage regulator. However, I'm not sure. Anyone with some feedback would be a huge help.

03-09-2020, 03:42 PM	#1
mech8691 Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Idaho Posts: 10	Possible run switch problem I have a 2006 1600D Nomad. After barely a month of riding it, I turned the ignition switch to "run" and everything functioned fine until I thumbed the start button. I heard a single click and the instrument panel went blank. No digital display, no indicator lights, no headlight. Nor does the starter try to engage. When I put it to "off" on the ignition switch, the needle on the speedometer goes to max point and back to zero. I've checked all the fuses and they are all in working order. When I turn it to the "run" position, I still get no response from the bike. I think it is the ignition (or run) switch that might be bad on the bike. Before I go replacing it, has anyone else had this problem or know of what this could be? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-09-2020, 08:29 PM	#5
plumber63 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 988	Check the Battery and all your ground wires. Really sounds like your battery died. __________________ Troy Donat VBA #02401 2015 Voyager 2006 1600 Nomad black(sold) 2016 Salem, Antlers, 2017 Eureka Springs, Lake George, Antlers 2018 Custer NR, Antlers Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-10-2020, 08:42 AM	#7
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Turn your ignition switch on and off briskly, to see if it makes a connection. t\The contacts may be worn or dirty. This is a known problem on the older bikes. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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03-21-2020, 11:20 PM	#11
Bagger rider Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Florida Posts: 13	Try this Ok so I’ve had problems like this on other bike , try unplugging the kill /run switch and connect /bridge the wire and if the bike starts then it’s the switch! . If this doesn’t work try cleaning the plug the the rectifier really as the burn out a lot on bikes and cause this issue and yes sometimes suddenly or intermittently. Good luck !!!!
	0

03-22-2020, 02:02 AM	#12
DragonLady58 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somewhere South of Alaska.... Posts: 2,351	Well mech8691, do what they told you to check, everything should be cool....Just have them run a check on your battery up at the parts house.... If its been a while or you've never installed a new battery in your bike, first battery malfunction....put in a new one.... __________________ --------------------- Don't start no schit, there won't be no schit.... My Sarcasm is directly proportional to the amount of Stupidity involved --------------------- VBA#03239 VROC#37400 VRA --------------------- 2014 Vaquero 2001 Nomad FI 2003 Street Glide (sold) 1500 Meanie, fresh rebuild (sold) 90s BUBF Bobber (sold) 2001 UltraCycle FatPounder (Sold) 1975 HD ElectraGlide (Sold) 1982 Kawasaki Z1 Chopper (Sold) Suck It Up & Ride!
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03-09-2020, 03:50 PM	#2
Sabre-t Join Date: May 2015 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 838	First and cheapest thing to do is clean the button. I prefer to take it apart, clean it, then put dielectric grease on it before assembling. It may take a few pushes (do the first few with the key off!) to clear the grease off the contacts. The grease keeps moisture from getting in there and causing shorts, which is important if you ride in the rain much. Some folks just spray WD-40 in there to clean the contacts.
	0

03-09-2020, 04:58 PM	#3
mech8691 Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Idaho Posts: 10	Sabre-T, Just to make sure I'm understanding, you are suggesting that I clean the contacts on the ignition switch or the start button?
	0

03-09-2020, 11:36 PM	#6
2UpRider Jr. Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Hill Country, Texas Posts: 24	Agree on battery and connections. ��
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03-24-2020, 10:34 AM	#13
mech8691 Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Idaho Posts: 10	Things tried I appreciate all the insight everyone has given. I have checked the battery and it is 3 months old and holds a proper charge. The start button on the handle bar cluster was cleaned and the ignition switch (to include the plug and wire harness receiver) was cleaned. Still have the issue. I ran a multimeter on the wiring harness where the ignition switch plugs in and have solid connections. I ordered a new ignition switch and will be installing it today when it arrives to see if I have a positive result. If the switch doesn't work, are there any additional thoughts on where I should be trouble shooting next?
	0

04-09-2020, 10:56 AM	#14
mech8691 Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Idaho Posts: 10	No progress as I got the new "OEM" ignition switch in and the plug on the switch that goes to the wiring harness is a male side of the plug. The plug on the one I took off the bike is a female side. I'm having a semi-difficult time finding a replacement switch that has the correct side of the plug.
	0

04-16-2020, 05:46 PM	#15
mech8691 Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Idaho Posts: 10	I got the new switch in and installed it on the bike. Still have the same issue. Full battery charge, all fuses good, all connections good. I get no response from any of the lights (brake, headlight, turn signals, etc.). I've been told that it might be a voltage regulator. However, I'm not sure. Anyone with some feedback would be a huge help.
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