2000-2001 lta500 quadmaster - is this a ignition switch problem

[cfauvel]

I've been working on two 2000 quadmaster and got the second one running. 

The issue:
With the key in the first ON position the engine starts, and once started if I turn the key one more time to the right (to turn on lights) the engine cuts off as if a kill switch was activated. The lights DO turn on.

Does that sound like a fault in the ignition switch, or an issue farther down the harness?

[davefrombc]

It  is most likely a fault in the  switch. bypass the  switch's  ignition  lead so you have  power  to the  ignition   and then  turn the  switch  to the  lights on position.  If  it  continues to  run  then you know  the  switch   is faulty.

 

[cfauvel]

is there a particular color for ignition and other color for lights? Sorry new to this machine, literally a newbie to atv....but pretty mechanical.

 

[davefrombc]

Get  a  probe  type  tester  to  see  which  wire  gets  power  when the ignition switch is turned to the first position .  Manfacturers   usually  don't  have  a common  code  for wiring  colours.  Each  model    and  make   have   their  own  codes listed  in their  service  manuals.  Without  one  you  need testers  and  probes to  trace  wires if   the  connections  aren't easily  visible and traceable from end to end .

[cfauvel]

got cha...yeah I think it is the switch too(at least I hope so)...since when you turn off the switch it closes the kill contacts, something inside is jacked up that closes the contacts when lights are turned on. We see that often on boat switches.

[cfauvel]

FIXED - took out the ignition switch and followed the continuity tests described in the service manual....rather than a KILL, when turning on the lights, the bridge between Red (power) to Orange (ignition) to Grey (lights) skipped the ignition and went to lights solely....took apart the switch and could see crud on the copper contacts, used a brass brush then some 600 grit sandpaper to clean up the contacts and re-did the tests...all good now.

 

whew...although the ignition switch is probably THE cheapest part on this ATV.