Using the kill switch every time to start the bike? The kill switch will go bad eventually, but can we fix the motorcycle engine kill switch?
Most people think that using a kill switch is bad for your bike, but it’s a total misconception. Its purpose is to cut the power to the engine, and that’s it. Even if you are on the go and have turned the kill switch on, your bike will change its noise, and the power is cut to the engine and will start to slow down and eventually stop.
The only issue with a kill switch is that you forget to turn it off, continue to crank your bike, and end up with a dead battery.
In this guide, we are going to explore how can we fix motorcycle engine kill switch, so keep reading
What’s a Kill Switch and How Does It Work?
Before exploring how we can fix a motorcycle engine kill switch, we must understand the kill switch that your bike has and why it is there? It’s a red-colored button for a safety mechanism located on the right side of your handlebar. You can use it to cut power to the engine instantly. You can switch it back on and won’t have to reach the keys.
Its purpose is to optimize your riding experience as you can kill the engine and turn it back on without lifting your hand from the throttle. It is beneficial in case of any emergency, and you can save some fuel.
When you turn it on, you can cut the power off and vice versa in a very safe manner. Of course, this will depend on what type of kill swatch d you have on your bike. But most commonly, a kill switch directly involves your spark plug.
This kill switch directly connects with the engine through wires. Until the kill switch is turned down, there is a certain amount of power and electricity flowing. When you turn it off, you will break the circuit and block the engine’s combustion power.
The Proper Way to Turn the Engine Off
So, you might be thinking, what is the right way to turn off the engine if there are keys and a kill switch as well. The appropriate way to turn off the engine will rely on how long you want to keep it turned off. There are two ways of turning an engine off: using the ignition and using the kill switch.
With your ignition, you are directly engaging with the engine and the fuel pump. There are three different positions here on the ignition. There is an OFF when you cannot start the engine. Moreover, ON allows you to start the engine, and the third is the LOCK position, where the steering is locked. The entire circuitry if your bike is disconnected in this position.
On the other hand, in the kill switch technique, full power to your engine doesn’t get cut off. You only turn the engine off. Your battery is still engaged with the ignition key on. It means the light gauze and the other digital systems are on even when the kill switch is off.
If you are looking to park the bike, you need to use the ignitions technique. On the other hand, the Kill switch is useful for emergencies, heavy traffic, and signals. So, they both are pretty useful if you use them properly.
Do All Bikes Come with Kill Switches?
Each model from each brand is different in its design and structure. These bikes don’t come cheap, so they need to go with varying features of safety. Kill switch was for emergency use where you have to stop for some period to save fuel.
Modern bikes don’t come without a kill switch. Some bikes had their kill switch present somewhere other than on the handlebar in the past. It usually was under the tank, and you had to bend forward to reach it. With modern bikes, you can activate the kill switch with just a move of your finger or thumb.
Common Problems of Kill Switch
Are there any problems with the kill switch? These kill switches are pretty durable and robust in most cases, and they don’t cause many problems. You will only need to troubleshoot the no-spark, and for that, you will have to eliminate the switch.
Common symptoms that your kill switch is not working properly are:
- Switching is not killing your engine, and this might be because the wirings are faulty or are not correct or the switch itself is faulty.
- There is no start at all, and for this, the switch might be faulty again, or one of the wires is grounded.
- If there is no intermittent start, there might be a grounded wire or a faulty switch.
- Your engine might begin to stall when you hit the rough terrain, which might be because of a grounded or disconnected wires or a faulty switch.
- Or there might be backfiring, which is again either by a wire or a faulty switch.
How Can We Fix Motorcycle Engine Kill Switch?
What if your kill switch has gone bad? Using it too much will make it eventually go bad at some stage. So, how can we fix the motorcycle engine kill switch?
The process is pretty simple!
You will have to remove your brake master cylinder right from the bar and then disassemble it.
You have to wipe everything off with the help of lint-free towels. Be thorough in your cleaning and use as many towels as possible. Make sure to clean out that tiny hole for the return and reassembling. When cleaning is done, you need to reinstall everything back. Don’t forget to bleed your caliper, and your kill switch will start working as if it’s new.
How to install a kill switch?
If you are looking to install a kill switch on your bike, you need to determine its model number and get your kill switch online or in-store. You will have to access the ignition forestalling the kill switch.
Remove the head visor for accessing the wire. Make sure to cut the wire long enough to connect the kill switch with the ignition that is right under the head visor. As you have access to all the wires, it’s time to connect the ignition wires with the kill switch wires. You can consult the owner’s manual for this if you need some help.
Most kill switches are in the bike handlebar. After connecting the wires, make sure the wires are running through the meter, not hanging out. Now run a check by turning the ignition on and then turn your kill switch on. After that, turn the kill switch off and rerun a check with the kill switch on.
Testing your Switch
A kill switch on any bike is a simple switch, so its testing will be straightforward as well. You can use a test light or a DVOM. The path will break when you have the kill switch to kill. You can use your voltmeter and check it with the test light.
FAQ
Can we install an engine kill switch on the bike?
Yes, we can install an engine kill switch on bikes. It’s a rather simple process, and you will only have to remove the head visor and connect the ignition wires with the kill switch wires. After that, you will need to run a test and see if they are working well, and that’s it.
Does kill Switch damage bikes?
A kill switch doesn’t damage your bike. It is there to reduce fuel consumption and cut power to the engine that you can back on with just a flip of a switch. If you forget that you have the kill switch turned on and you keep starting your engine, you will drain your battery.
Does leaving the kill switch on kill the battery?
Leaving the kill switch on for a longer period will eventually kill the battery. But having it on and trying to start the bike will immediately drain the battery.
What happens if you hit the kill switch while riding?
There is nothing bad going to happen if you hit the kill switch while you are riding. As soon as you hit it, power to the engine will cut off, but your battery will be still engaged, and your heels will continue to roll. But you will begin to slow down, and eventually, you will stop.
Conclusion
So, how can we fix the motorcycle engine kill switch? Yes, we can, and it’s a simple process. Make sure to properly connect all the wires when reinstalling and reassembling everything back.
Also, ensure that everything is clean and your kill switch continues to work for a long time to come. It’s a pretty simple switch that’s not very challenging to handle.
