Hey guys new owner here and here is my first question. With all my Vulcans in the past I never gave much mind to the kill switch...thought it was for an emergency. Well the dealer and manual are pretty emphatic that you turn it on when parking and off before starting. Is this really necessary? And I'm used to leaving my bikes in neutral in my shed and roll out and then start. Boy this is gonna be a whole new world for this old guy lol. Thanks in advance.
Kill Switch
- Thread starter Erilflynn
- Start date
I don't get it…how-electrically/electronically-is the kill switch different from the "key"?
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Everything has a sequence... so to speak. ECM boot up and fuel pump... along with everything else. Not saying it WILL cause an issue, but can. As with all electronics, a certain order has to take place for them to communicate properly... especially in CANBUS wiring since multiple signals share the same wires.
The choice is completely yours.... I work with PLC logic and big machinery... same rules apply. Shut it down properly and start it properly or havoc can rear it's ugly head.
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Spazz-thanks for the reply. I understand sequencing for certain shutdown applications but what I'm not clear on is whether the kill switch is doing anything differently than the key. Are they both dropping power or interrupting the circuit, so to speak, or does the kill switch perform other functions during shut down? I'm not challenging you but am curious to know.
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I can't say for sure with absolute certainty what happens in either scenario... I'm just using my experience and knowledge of how startup and shutdown sequences work in my plant... and when machines are not shut down properly... startup sequences sometimes go haywire and cause issues.... therefore.... I use my kill switch.
This is quite intriguing though... I'm gonna dig a little and see if I can find some answers though.
This is quite intriguing though... I'm gonna dig a little and see if I can find some answers though.
Great explanation and rationale . I was just surprised when the dealer explained it to me. I was like "what?" Again, coming from all my years on Vulcans the kill switch was never part of any process. No big deal. Thanks. Bob
When I bought my SGS the dealer told me he and most people just use the key switch to keep from forgetting to turn it off after the kill switch and killing the battery. For the 1st 2 weeks I used the kill switch, then forgot to hit the key switch and drained my battery at a stop.
I just use the key switch now. Still wait till the fuel pump primes before starting.
I just use the key switch now. Still wait till the fuel pump primes before starting.
In simple terms, the Engine Stop switch....or Kill Switch....grounds out the "run" circuit in the BCM, stopping the motor. The P&A switch...or Power and Accessory switch provides power to the BCM, which in turn powers everything, including the fuel pump, lights, radio, starter circuitry....when you switch it off, you are killing the BCM. In effect you are still grounding out the "run" circuit. Consider it the "master" switch....personally, I rarely use the Engine Run Switch....
Robo are you saying you can't kill the bike using the key switch? If so is it common for other CVO's to have the same issue?
I also came from a Vulcan and never used the kill switch. I had to get used to it with the Harley.
The CVO "Key" switch is just a fork lock. The control switch is the "Run" Switch, and the accessory switch is the scroll button for the odometer.
That said, the run switch is just good practice because you never have to A. have the bike in neutral, and B. you never have to let go of the handle bars when parking until the bike is not running and remains in gear.
Hi Debbie! What Vulcan did you have? I just came off a Voyager and a Nomad and 1500 Classic FI before that. BTW did u ask the question about the soft lowers? I just got my Airlites and they fit great on my SGS. That should hold me until I decide on the color matched hard ones. I'm in Old Bridge so we're neighbors! Harley is a whole new world but I'm learning fast lol (thanks to all the great people here).Bob
