'06 AE: Key Sticks in Ignition

[NC Ryder]

Hello all,

I did a search, and this was the closest I found to my issue but I was hoping for a better explanation / walkthrough of the 'fix': Related Link

My situation is the same, that my key often sticks in the ignition switch making it very hard to remove or even turn. Things that I've done / have done thusfar:

1) Previous owner had the Ignition Switch recall done (but don't think that necessarily relates)

2) I sprayed 'dry' lube into the key slot a couple of times, this initially helped somewhat but it quickly went back to being problematic

Is there a walkthrough on removing the ignition switch and cleaning it? Or is it simple enough to figure out the disassembly on my own? I've worked a good amount on other parts of the bike but it's the mechanical areas. In this case its going to be electrical and I HATE working with electrical - I can't readily see what the heck it's doing. Bad things seem to happen when I'm working around the electrical system hence my gun shyness to tear into it.....

Thanks!

 

[Pegsparks]

I had that problem one time. Lubed up the switch and it still didn't act right. Happened to look at my key a couple of days later and it had a slight bend in it. Worked it back straight and problem solved. Sometimes it's the simplest things.

 

[NC Ryder]

I had that problem one time. Lubed up the switch and it still didn't act right. Happened to look at my key a couple of days later and it had a slight bend in it. Worked it back straight and problem solved. Sometimes it's the simplest things.

I'll double check them again tonight, they do seem to bend easily in the seat and luggage locks :angry2:

 

[Top_Speed1]

I know u did dry lube but I noticed mine from factory had a bit of seepage and it looked more like a grease.

Could also be nothing to do with luring, a worn tumble pin could be offsetting enough where it sticks too.

Good luck!

 

[phroenips]

I had that problem one time. Lubed up the switch and it still didn't act right. Happened to look at my key a couple of days later and it had a slight bend in it. Worked it back straight and problem solved. Sometimes it's the simplest things.

I'll double check them again tonight, they do seem to bend easily in the seat and luggage locks :angry2:

Go to a locksmith and have some copies made...I did, and the copies are much stronger than the originals

 

[FJRPittsburgh]

My key was sticking in the ignition after riding a couple of days in heavy rain. I lubed it with graphite (powder) and now it is slick as can be. I also graphited my Givi topcase lock and the locks on my side cases. They are all better than new now.

Jeff

 

[NC Ryder]

I had that problem one time. Lubed up the switch and it still didn't act right. Happened to look at my key a couple of days later and it had a slight bend in it. Worked it back straight and problem solved. Sometimes it's the simplest things.

Go to a locksmith and have some copies made...I did, and the copies are much stronger than the originals

I snagged the copies I had, they worked marginally better but not appreciably better. Having snapped a key off in the past you're exactly right that they do bend very easily for some reason...

So with that I'm down to 2 options and would like some thoughts on approach.

1) When I dry lubed I sprayed the key and worked it in and out and then put 2-3 short blasts on the right and left sides of te inside of the key opening. I was afraid of putting too much in there and gumming something up, is there some special technique or should I be be more liberal with the application?

2) If that doesn't work I'm looking at having to disassemble it, and thanks to JamesK I have the directions on how to do that. If I go that route, for those that have done this in the past:

- I have the security bolts from the dealer IS replacement, to get to the point of being able to clean / lube do I need to do the drilling out step? Or can I access it from the underside of the total assembly?

- When cleaning it out, what was used to remove all the gunk? And when done I'm assuming it was liberally sprayed with dry lube? Any other tips?

Thanks!

 

[FJRPittsburgh]

I simply used the end of a zip tie to insert in the ignition key slot and turned it slightly. That gave me the opening I needed to get the graphite into the tumblers. I had a friend hold the zip tie while I puffed some graphite in the key hole with the little white plastic graphite tube. Worked the key in and out, ignition on and off several times, and the key slides in and out very smoothly. I did notice some white lithium grease looking stuff that was in some of the crevices of the key. I'm sure it wasn't lithium grease, at least I don't think they would have used anything like that in the tumblers. I cleaned the key by scraping the gunk out of the crevices with my fingernail and wiped the key off with a paper towel. Clean key and graphite worked for me.

 

[kolonial72]

I used a WD-40 type lube, which helps keep water off of the surfaces inside the switch, about a year or so ago. I think it helped significantly. The bent-key thing has happened to me twice, but other than that, no problems removing the key from the switch after lubing it.