GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => Electrics => Topic started by: Kiwifruit on Sunday, 12 April 2026, 03:09 PM

Title: Key hard to turn
Post by: Kiwifruit on Sunday, 12 April 2026, 03:09 PM
Finally I think i will have to pull the ignition switch to bits and clean it. The key just feels stuck and to operate it i am using more force than I would like.
My question is do they have a drain hole in anywhere that I can flush some contact cleaner through ?
Title: Re: Key hard to turn
Post by: Blubber on Sunday, 12 April 2026, 03:24 PM
There is a sticky thread about this :

Here (https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=321.0)

Hth
Title: Re: Key hard to turn
Post by: Kiwifruit on Sunday, 12 April 2026, 03:55 PM
Thank you Blubber  :cheers:
Title: Re: Key hard to turn
Post by: Eric GSX1400K3 on Sunday, 12 April 2026, 03:59 PM
Before pulling it apart, try a blast of compressed air into the key slot. If you have a workshop compressor and a blow gun attachment that is.

Did the same to mine and it seemed to free things up a bit. It did blow out a bit of dust and dirt.
Title: Re: Key hard to turn
Post by: grog on Sunday, 12 April 2026, 05:15 PM
Mines a bit sticky, ignition that is😂Think I'll try your way first Eric, I know it's do do with a wafer or two not sitting level but fiddly stuff for old eyes/hands. I will if I have to. Brake cleaner, comp air, ptfe spray, see how it goes.
Title: Re: Key hard to turn
Post by: gsxbarmy on Sunday, 12 April 2026, 08:34 PM
@Kiwifruit I'd try some Graphite powder down the keyhole see if that frees it up first (also good for the key locks on your house to keep them running smoothly)
Title: Re: Key hard to turn
Post by: KiwiCol on Sunday, 12 April 2026, 08:48 PM
Yep, compressed air, then PTFE spray, that should work. Or graphite powder, but not both else you'll be making your own grinding paste in there.  I used PTFE spary on the fuel cap bits after I stripped & cleaned them, operates smooth as a very smooth thing now. :onya:
Title: Re: Key hard to turn
Post by: Hooli on Sunday, 12 April 2026, 09:03 PM
As I recall there is a tiny drain hole in there.

This might help, how to strip down & rebuild an early switch - https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=6268.0
Title: Re: Key hard to turn
Post by: Jeykey on Monday, 13 April 2026, 12:38 AM
I´ve stripped it apart more than once. And to confirm, yes has drain hole and don´t just use contact cleaner or WD40, after drying that add graphite powder or PTFE. If you just use WD or other spray you´ll be drying the lock.
Title: Re: Key hard to turn
Post by: Jeykey on Monday, 13 April 2026, 12:54 AM
Interesting, after replying went to AI and graphite powder is known to potentially corrode aluminium. Preference: PTFE: