Ignition switch has stopped working

[gsxr126]

Hi all,

My ignition switch has stopped working. All I'm getting is a clicking noise at the relay. Tried replacing it with no success. It would stop working after a drive initially. I would have to wait 1/2 an hour before starting and then it would crank the starter and fire, but it progressively got worse to the point of where I'm just getting the click noise.

Anyone experienced this or have any ideas as to what the prob might be. Electrics really arent my thing

Thanks in advance

[Rusty's Uncle]

So does you're motor have a solenoid opperated starter motor as opposed to a cable pull ?

[gsxr126]

Its the solenoid type. Figured it out though - needs a new starter as the solenoid is stuffed. I'll be busy testing starters this weekend. A funny story - one of the nikis i picked up in the early days had, I kid you not, 10 starter motors in the boot, all like brand new.

[bis13]

your right on the button there, there s nothing worse than the stop start episodes before it packs up, have you tried giving it a tap the starter motor with a hammer sometimes its just sticking and needs a little nudge. 

[gsxr126]

It was wierd, when it started packing up, it would just not work (solenoid). Tried tapping it but no go. I would leave it for five and then it would start again (a little emabarrasing when you're at a servo). The tapping would not work on this one. Had had a niki years ago that also had the same prob and the tap on the starter motor worked every time.

Its a shame, I got to look at the starters and they're not in the condition I thought they were in. Oh well, hopefully I can salvage a few, after I gather up the courage to deal with the cat piss smell. It seems some neighbouring kids got the boot open then a cat made its home among my starters.

My collection of nikis had grown to 17(mainly bare shells), but thats been culled down to 4 unfortunately.  The daily a spare and the two projects

[ronb1967]

Ive had a similar fault on my 126ac, just a click from the solonoid, but if i kept trying eventually it would engage, anyway this happend one dark evening as i turned the ignition key i noticed a flash of light from under the steering couling, although mine is intermittant im sure the fault is with the ignition switch, as it makes contact it causes arking at the switch terminals.