Can the ignition switch contacts be cleaned?

[bwringer]

I ran two cans of WD-40 (about a quart total) through the switch on my old GS400 before crud stopped coming out the bottom. Spray a while (straw through the key hole), work the switch back and forth for a minute, spray some more, etc. Simple, yet messy.

It improved functioning considerably, although I was young and dumb back then and didn't really know about voltage drops. All I knew was that sometimes the dang thing wouldn't send enough voltage to the coils so I could start it (kick start only).

[Dave R]

Guys, don't want to divert psyguy's thread...

I posted earlier about having a similar (voltage loss) problem.

Read my thread "15v... too much output from"


Found something strange, I think.

[psyguy]

thanks for all your replies

i'll let you know how i go

[Nessism]

thanks for all your replies

i'll let you know how i go

Ignition switch for my project bike is on the workbench but I'm a little concern about opening up the electrical switch for fear of breaking the plastic tabs on the housing. Silly concern or actual risk?

Edit: just took it apart, no worry. Switch is filled with brown grease so going to clean it out and scrub the contacts with a small stainless brush. Before reassembly a good slathering of dielectric grease is in order. I'm not surprised this design leads to some voltage loss but the good news is that the contacts are accessable and easy to clean. Trying to flush out the switch with contact cleaner is a bad idea since it will do nothing more than flush the grease out...or most likely, just smear the grease around since there is no good flush path.

[flyingace]

Do you have full battery voltage at the wire(s) going into the switch? I read your post as the difference between the + terminal and ground and the switch exit wires and ground. What is the voltage at the wires going into the switch? I wouldn't bother cleaning the switch if the votage drop occurs prior.

[psyguy]

Do you have full battery voltage at the wire(s) going into the switch? I read your post as the difference between the + terminal and ground and the switch exit wires and ground. What is the voltage at the wires going into the switch? I wouldn't bother cleaning the switch if the votage drop occurs prior.

all other contacts have been cleaned or replaced and yes, the biggest part of the voltage drop is due to the ignition switch

[argonsagas]

Opening the ignition switch is easy...BUT only if you place it in a clear plastic bag before working on it.

Work inside the bag and you get to keep the tiny parts that come loose.

BTW

BBs will work if a bearing should get lost because you did not use the bag....