Keyed Ingition Switch packing up...

discussions specific to the 750 Paso

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randtcastell
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model: 750 Paso
year: 1987
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Keyed Ingition Switch packing up...

Post by randtcastell »

My keyed ingition switch is no longer reliable. First symptom: baby backfire on start-up last weekend. Second symptom: during the high speed run segment of my bi-weekly ride, everything went dark and bike lost all power. Fiddling with keyed switch, high beam switch, kill switch brought life back. Fired right up again along the freeway. Back at the shop, it was simple to isolated the problem as the keyed switch: It will only energize the circuit 50% of the time when I insert key and turn. Sprayed WD40 into tumbler, then compressed air hoping for a more reliable outcome. A few rides later: no backfire just one power loss while riding, but the keyed switch activation is hit or miss. The usual searches for a replacement part yield nothing save a very knackered example on Ebay. Gentlemen: Can the switch be serviced or maintained if disassembled? Any advice on the matter greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your thoughts. :^)

Kindest Regards and may God bless the Ukraine people. Перемога!
1987 Ducati P750
1973 Honda CB450
2022 KTM RC390
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paso750
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Re: Keyed Ingition Switch packing up...

Post by paso750 »

Have a look at the 'manuals, magazines and other downloads' topic on top of this forum. There you'll find a file regarding disassembling the switch.
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randtcastell
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Re: Keyed Ingition Switch packing up...

Post by randtcastell »

Thank you Sir!
1987 Ducati P750
1973 Honda CB450
2022 KTM RC390
Mc tool
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Re: Keyed Ingition Switch packing up...

Post by Mc tool »

Also look up how to fit a main relay and save yourself further hassles
I wish I was young again............Id be heaps smarter than last time
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randtcastell
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year: 1987
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Re: Keyed Ingition Switch packing up...

Post by randtcastell »

Thank you for the good advice friend. I've purchased the relay and downloaded the instructions. :^)
1987 Ducati P750
1973 Honda CB450
2022 KTM RC390
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Hifimoto
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Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2021 8:43 pm
model: 750 Paso
year: 1987
Location: Slovenia

Re: Keyed Ingition Switch packing up...

Post by Hifimoto »

I have a question which may refer to the topic... when I switch on the ignition key, all the lights in dashboard are blinking in a rate of fuel pump. Is this maybe related to poor connection at ignition key or it is normal? May be just some bad ground connection (I'm inspecting this) or just Italian electrics :wink:

I did the wire upgrade with the relay for the ignition coils some time ago, but the issue remains.
Ducati Paso 750, Ducati M900, Ducati 916, Benelli Tornado Tre 900, Bimota DB5 Mille, Bimota DB7, MV Agusta F4 1000, Gilera Saturno 500 Bialbero
Mc tool
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Re: Keyed Ingition Switch packing up...

Post by Mc tool »

sounds like a grounding issue to me , but it could also be caused by a poor connection in the power supply leading to low voltage . Paso;s are rotten with them . The easiest way is to learn about testing for low voltage or voltage drop ( over a connection ).
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I fitted 1 relay for each .... ignition coils and magic box , power supply ( shown in pic ) and one each for hi and low beam ( up by headlight assy )
I wish I was young again............Id be heaps smarter than last time
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higgy
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Re: Keyed Ingition Switch packing up...

Post by higgy »

+1
Ducati,making mechanics out of riders since 1946
There's no problem so bad that a little fixing can't make it worse! : )
If it ain't broke keep fixin it till it is
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Hifimoto
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year: 1987
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Re: Keyed Ingition Switch packing up...

Post by Hifimoto »

Mc tool wrote: Wed Jun 29, 2022 5:53 am sounds like a grounding issue to me , but it could also be caused by a poor connection in the power supply leading to low voltage . Paso;s are rotten with them . The easiest way is to learn about testing for low voltage or voltage drop ( over a connection ).
I fitted 1 relay for each .... ignition coils and magic box , power supply ( shown in pic ) and one each for hi and low beam ( up by headlight assy )
Thanks Mc tool! I'll go in the same direction :cool:
Ducati Paso 750, Ducati M900, Ducati 916, Benelli Tornado Tre 900, Bimota DB5 Mille, Bimota DB7, MV Agusta F4 1000, Gilera Saturno 500 Bialbero
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randtcastell
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Re: Keyed Ingition Switch packing up...

Post by randtcastell »

Yesterday, I removed the ignition switch, disassembled it and cleaned up the contacts within. Thank you everyone for directing me to the wonderful instructions an photos! The interior was near pristine, no scorching, burn marks or wear after all the years. I was surprised how nice it all seemed. Reassembled, buttoned up, reinstalled back on the bike. The bolts fixing the switch housing to the triple tree are tough,so it was important to be patient. Then I went for a quick 50 mile run. Works perfectly now, the Paso is so fine. I love that bike. And all the support I get from this forum! I am blessed. :^)
1987 Ducati P750
1973 Honda CB450
2022 KTM RC390
murphus
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Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2020 6:27 pm
model: 750 Paso
year: 1988
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Re: Keyed Ingition Switch packing up...

Post by murphus »

They are indeed wonderful machines. Son Charlie and I took a ride last Saturday to a bike gathering, starting off with me on my Laverda RGS and he on the Paso. On the return ride we hit some wonderful 2-lane back roads and switched back and forth, and the Paso amazed me with its smoothness and competence. The Laverda is, well, lovely, but the Paso is smoother and in many ways a nicer ride, which really surprised me. An excellent ride. And once again, the photo was upside down, which I don't understand! That's son Charlie with the Paso.
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1973 BMW R75/5
1976 Suzuki GT185
1983 Lavarda RGS 1000
1988 Ducati Paso 750
1995 BMW K75
murphus
Posts: 101
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2020 6:27 pm
model: 750 Paso
year: 1988
Location: USA

Re: Keyed Ingition Switch packing up...

Post by murphus »

My thanks to whomever turned my photo rightside up! I have yet to figure out why my photos come in upside down.
1973 BMW R75/5
1976 Suzuki GT185
1983 Lavarda RGS 1000
1988 Ducati Paso 750
1995 BMW K75
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