HONDA CRF 1000 AFRICA TWIN. FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH AT ROADSIDE. EMERGENCY REPAIR AND FINAL FIX.

Grab a brew and watch 18 minutes of a roadtrip that my pals and I took to Wales, where my 2016 Honda CRF 1000 Africa Twin suffered an intermittent ignition switch failure.
Having seen dodgy ignition switches being mentioned more than a few times across the Africa Twin community, tried to put something together that might help other owners.
Video includes the two breakdowns we had, their symptoms, the emergency roadside repair we made to continue on tour, and details of how the bike was fixed properly on our return home.
Too busy to watch in full? Want to get straight to the facts?
00:47 BREAKDOWN 1. First symptom, total loss of electrical supply.
01:04 No change to situation, when switching on and off. Initially suspect sticky contacts in ignition switch.
02:37 Contact within switch achieved after further repeated operation. Confirmed early suspicions.
03:17 Flushed lock through with WD40.
03:30 Bike runs. Decide to ride on, but notice reduced charging voltage.
06:00 BREAKDOWN 2. Total loss of electrical supply.
06:55 Identify loose connection in bottom of ignition switch
07:56 Smoke omitting from ignition switch
08:02 Failed attempts to cable tie conduit into a secure position to prevent movement.
08:30 Kind Welsh van driver stops to offer assistance. Summary. About to quit and call recovery.
09:08 John pitches another plan, although initially I wasn’t keen!
09:44 But it worked!! This is your ROADSIDE FIX.
12:09 The next day. Making the roadside fix easier to live with, and more secure whilst on tour.
13:15 FINAL REPAIR AT HOME.
14:09 INFORMATION ON REBUILDING THE TWO PART IGNITION SWITCH.
16:30 ADVICE FOR THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM ON TOUR (WITH WIRING DIAGRAM)
John’s film, the K1600 rider, with all the fun and frolics of our roadtrip can be seen at : • Wales & Highest Pubs R...

[@scottgrant2078]

This is an amazing video. I have a 2018 ATAS & recently noticed the lack of contact with my ignition switch. It only happens upon turning the bike on initially but concerned it may happen out in the wilderness. So i decided to do some research if anyone else has had a similar issue. This video has made me realise i need to address this problem sooner rather than later. Grrr. Thanks for making this video. Very informative, clear & detailed explanation. Good man. You deserve a follow 👍

[@soggybawsmoto]

Thank you Scott, I'm glad the video has been of use to you. I've been saved a few times by videos like this as well, so it's nice to share these types of events. Thanks for the follow, much appreciated. Best of luck with your repair.

[@scottgrant2078]

@@soggybawsmoto You don't happen to have the part number handy for the failed part? Am i right in thinking it's the electrical switch below the ignition barrel that failed? I think I've found the part direct from Honda but would like to confirm it before purchasing. Hope you don't mind so many questions

[@soggybawsmoto]

@@scottgrant2078 No problem at all Scott. The part number for my 2016 wouldnt fit your 2018 Adventure Sports model. If you have a look at my community page, I've prepared a few photographs explaining the change in part numbers. I cant find the correct parts diagram for your 2018 Adventure Sports model (I'm assuming its the 1000). I can only see an 1100 AS spares diagram. I would check with your dealer in the morning, but take a look at the community page.

[@kiwikidusa]

Oh and your video was very entertaining with videos of the ride and scenery with your mates helping solve the issue. The banter between you all was golden. Then jury rigging the ignition switch to get you going. Thank you.

[@Russell_Duncan]

Enjoyed this wee video and found it well put together. All stuff I can relate to, I’m a biker, a mechanic, I’m Scottish and myself and my mates (two of us on Africa Twins) we’re in Wales on our bikes last year. Love the channel name BTW, makes me think about a trip to Hamburg two years ago when we rode into the Northern Netherlands and it rained hard for about three hours continuously.

[@philoakes3185]

Great vid. Very helpful as I attempt to go in on a mates bike tomorrow to do the same repair

[@soggybawsmoto]

Thanks Phil. Good luck with your repair.

[@kiwikidusa]

It's going to be a somewhat somber trip. My sister died in August. I will be interning her ashes at Sweetheart Abbey in Dumfries. We have family buried there going back centuries, and it was her most favorite place in Scotland when she went to visit and ended up staying for 2 years. She said it really resonated with her. Thank you for the offer.

[@fast_n_curious_motoadventures]

Brilliant work, that will help some poor soul stranded by the side of the road one day.

[@KIMBAKC3784]

Thank God you had the knowledge and friends experience to get you back on the road. It is horrible when your motorcycle breaks down. And affecting multiple riders vacation. Thankfully you are all friends and stuck together. This is why I never travel with acquaintances. THANK YPU FOR THE SERVICE BULLETIN. I GUESS HONDA WILL NEVER REPORT THIS DESIGN DEFECT IN THEIR IGNITION SWITCH. HONDA OWNERS SHOULD NOTIFY THE proprt authorities in their countries.

[@soggybawsmoto]

Yeh, I was lucky with this one. I had a situation in 2018 where my Triumph Tiger burned out its reg/rec whilst on tour in Switzerland. I was on my own that time and managed to obtain the parts to fix it on road. It ate up my entire holiday however it was hugely satisfying overcoming such a challenge. Funnily enough, that was how I ended up buying an Africa Twin having rented one during this breakdown. Thanks for watching and commenting Casey

[@armenvartanian4796]

Thanks for sharing this 😊

[@trackpig]

Well handled. Great info. Thanks

[@darrellsmith7879]

Excellent video. Very informative and certainly helpful. It is also refreshing to hear a video that was well planned and clearly explained with no "umms" or "aahhhs" or "oops I forgot I need such and such a tool" etc. Well done lad!

[@soggybawsmoto]

Thanks very much Darrell. First attempt at speaking to camera, was very nervous about doing it. Took about 300 takes - ha ha.

[@kiwikidusa]

Thank you for a very informative video on the AF ignition switch. I had no idea there were springs in there and how important they are. Now I will be including electrical tools, wires and connectors in my travel kit. And as other commenters have noted your clear and ummm free clear explanation was a pleasure to listen to even with your Glasgow accent my Father had the same accent but not as strong. I look forward to more videos of riding in Scotland which I hope to get to in the near future!

[@soggybawsmoto]

Thanks very much kiwikidusa. Feel free to get in touch if you make it to Scotland. I'll make sure you get to know all the very best roads around any route you are considering.

[@dezmondwhitney1208]

Great Video. This will help someone, no doubt.

[@soggybawsmoto]

Fingers crossed. I’ve been helped out by films like this too so I was keen to share 👍

[@ientwistle1]

Good roadside fix 🙂

[@Shoreditch]

Useful video. Note same (red/black and red) ignition wiring applies to all Honda motorcycles that I know of for the past 50 years or more.

[@billmcmeekin7909]

Are you Scottish by chance? Please please don't take this the wrong way, but my great grandmother had an accent as yours. She was from a small village in the highlands I was told. I could listen to you all day :-) Me and my buds have AT's also. Mine is a 2020 ATASes, has 17000 km now, has been all over the Rockies, to Vancouver Island, and most of BC. From 3'C to 46'C, wet and dry, has been an incredible ride. It's -35C and were all California dreaming right now, lol. You guys are living life, smiling and enjoying the moments. Well done! And sound WONDERFUL, as my gran wou saa. Bless you all :-)

[@soggybawsmoto]

Thanks Bill, Yep, proud Scot! Everyone on the video is from the Glasgow area, but we get about a bit. Drove the Rockies as a kid in my uncles Step Van camper conversion. Would love to get back on the bike one day. Ride safe.

[@billmcmeekin7909]

@@soggybawsmoto Hope to get to Glasgow one day, as my family is originally from Scotland. All the elders have passed and accents gone. :-( Group of us hoping to do Oregon coast and Montana Glacier Park if covid passes. My buds and I changed out our adventure sports AT's fuel tank filters to upgraded Guglatech sock filter/new stock filter. I highly recommend if you want your pump to survive. That's one of my gangs tips. Cheers my friend, and keep smiling :-)

[@paddydunne8426]

Thanks very much great vid ..p Dunne

[@alexanderpetrai7237]

I am having same issue and i’m happy i found this video I will check this first thing in the am My bike was seating on the rain for a day and then when it started Thank you so much for this video Respect I will check the rest of your videos soon

[@soggybawsmoto]

Thanks Alexander, glad it has helped you. Good luck with your repairs

[@alexanderpetrai7237]

I got some bad news everybody Looks like someone tried to still my bike and cut of the power cable. I have a motion alarm installed and that probably drove them away. The crazy part is that I connected the two wires together and i got power on the panel, and without placing the key, i tried starting the bike and the bike started without a key. I thought the immobilizer probably was activated so i went and left the key home and tried again and it still starts without the key. How crazy is that

[@OzRenzer]

I had the same problem. I took it apart without disassembling the fairing, handle bar.... When disassembling the unit, I think only a washer fall down (special washer with a cap shape and ellipse hole) . Didn't see any tiny spring (only the big spring). It works without the tiny spring.

[@mikesands517]

Great video which explains exactly why my Crf1000 died suddenly yesterday. I am going to try a modified approach and cut the wires as per the video and attach them to a handlebar mounted switch. The switch is rated at 10 amps - does anyone know if that will be enough?

[@soggybawsmoto]

Thanks for commenting Mike, glad the film pointes you in the right direction. I've checked the wiring diagram, the red wire runs down to the main fuse which is rated at 30A. I had considered routing it through a keyless ignition switch operated by a fob, if that gives you any ideas.

[@mikesands517]

@@soggybawsmoto That's not a bad idea - I could argue to the MOT tester that it's an improvement 😄 By the way - I looked at that diagram and saw the 30 amp fuse but then noticed that there's another 7.5 amp one in the same line (engine kill I think) 🤷‍♂

[@twitchc2588]

Very nice find. Did the initial problem start because of the flex in the cable where it enters the ignition barrel? (when you turn the bars). Great video, Thanks for posting.

[@soggybawsmoto]

Thanks for watching. I dont think it is down to flex. The conduit is quite heavily braced with cable ties, which can be seen on the new part at 16:35 and the old part at 09:47. On the photo at 16:35 you can see verdigris on the soldered connection on the old part and an indentation into the plastic, so my money would be on corrosion of the brass contact. I use the bike in all weathers all year round, and we get alot of salt on the roads here in winter.

[@twitchc2588]

@@soggybawsmoto Thank you

[@sybrand98]

Will the lock also not turn out of steering-lock? My AT is currently stuck in the locked position and after opening the bottom of the contact there is no little spring there

[@russ4294]

Could it be anything to do with the bar risers. My friend had a similar issue on his tiger 1200 due to bar risers.

[@soggybawsmoto]

Thanks for the suggestion, but the bars/risers are standard.

[@n057828]

Honda recall guys

[@scottgrant2078]

Can you tell me where exactly you found the replacement switch please & thank you.

[@soggybawsmoto]

Unusually, I bought the replacement switch from my local Honda motorcycle dealer in Glasgow Vic Devine, as I wanted to quiz their tech on the springs that are missing from the Honda spares diagram, but generally I am a huge fan of Fowlers in Bristol for buying genuine spares. Their parts web site for different manufacturers is super easy to navigate. I dont think there is an aftermarket for this component yet.

[@KIMBAKC3784]

Stevie, do you think salt water was the cause of the failure??

[@soggybawsmoto]

Thanks for commenting Casey. There can be no denying it has been a contributing factor, but only because of poor weatherproofing of the component. I do accept I ride the bike in extreme conditions.

[@mikesands517]

Hmmmm .... done the snipping of the wires and connected them with a short cable, and that's got everything working .... but ..... the HISS does not now operate. In other words anyone could steal the bike without a key if they realised. It raises the more fundamental question that any thief who knew what they were doing with these bikes could steal one by simply doing what I and Soggy Baws did.

[@soggybawsmoto]

Oh that's odd. I posted this film, knowing that my HISS continued to work. Bike would turn over but would not fire and run on mine, unless the chipped key was in the ignition. Was your key still within HISS range whilst you tried?

[@soggybawsmoto]

Non UK/European bikes without HISS would be exposed

[@mikesands517]

@@soggybawsmoto I will go check that because yes it was close by

[@mikesands517]

You were right - it won't start if the key is not close by. (It will continue to run once running if you take the key out and walk away, but that's not a (theft) issue)

[@mikesands517]

@@soggybawsmoto In my case (after I took the key 20 yards away), ignition lights all came on but the user modes were flashing, and there were none of the normal start-up clicks from the DCT, and the starter wouldn't engage