ST1100 main Switch flickering

Joined
Oct 14, 2020
Messages
10
Location
Wichita KS USA
Bike
'97 ST1100
I apologize if this was repeatedly discussed. I tried to search related threadsbut couldn't seem to find the same problem as mine. It's a 1997 ST1100 with tons of milage but taken good care of.
One day I turned a key on my ST and there was no power whatsoever. I thought blew a fuse or something so later in the week I was going to take a look. The bike turned on and ready to go. I was confused. I turned it off and attempted to turn back on, there was no power.
I was hoping a loose connection at battery or something so I opened the bike up checked connections and fuses. Clean them as I check. They seemed all fine. But it got flickering now. I had read about ignition switch going bad on ST1100 so I took it off to clean it. The problem still persists.
I was hoping you guys can tell me what I should take a look next to fix this. I would appreciate any help and thanks for your time

Moto
 
If you turn the key slowly and get an intermittent connection before it actually "locks" into the ON position, it is bad contacts in the ignition switch mechanism. Despite you cleaning it, if the contacts are worn such that they fail to keep connected when the switch is fully ON, you need to replace that part. Happened on my '95 1100.
 
I have just dismantled a '98 and have a spare ignition switch available if you narrow the problem down to the switch itself. PM me if you're interested.
 
If you turn the key slowly and get an intermittent connection before it actually "locks" into the ON position, it is bad contacts in the ignition switch mechanism. Despite you cleaning it, if the contacts are worn such that they fail to keep connected when the switch is fully ON, you need to replace that part. Happened on my '95 1100.
Hello Bush, appreciate your reply. Fortunately it wasn't the case for me. ( Just looked up how much the OEM switch cost) The switch clicks fine and in decent shape. I cleaned crap out of it and check the springs and put dielectric grease. It seems to be working.
 

Attachments

  • 20250412_110141.jpg
    20250412_110141.jpg
    123.4 KB · Views: 5
Pull the left side cover and check the starter relay. It is just to the left side of the battery. It should have a green 35 amp spare fuse tucked away in the rubber cover. If it looks melted, do a search for "red wire bypass". Several 1100s have had this problem. It is the result of a poor quality crimp. High resistance cause the heat to melt the connector.

 
Here is the Red wire Note in the second picture there is corrosion on the wire and signs of heat discoloring the red insulator.
What I did is to put solder flux on the wire to clean the copper and then soldered this connector.
 

Attachments

  • Red wire to inspect.jpg
    Red wire to inspect.jpg
    122.5 KB · Views: 8
  • Redwire.PNG
    Redwire.PNG
    795.8 KB · Views: 8
Back
Top Bottom