Kill switch messed up?

celbii · Post by **celbii** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 5:04 pm

Hey everyone,
I bought a 2009 buddy 125cc yesterday with 3,000 miles.

I have a question about the kill switch, on my friends buddy when you hit the kill switch and the scooter is running it will kill the scooter. On mine when you hit it the buddy will keep running and only turn off if you turn off the ignition. which way is it supposed to work?

Also sometimes with the electrical start it does not always work unless i toggle the kill switch on and off once or twice, is this normal?

Thanks,
David

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 6:32 pm

Definitely not normal. Sounds like there is something wrong with your kill switch. The kill switch should do exactly what its name implies - kill the scooter. It is also the correct way to turn off your scooter - kill switch first (scooter stops running), then turn off the ignition.
Depending on your own level of scooter repair expertise, I would take the scooter to your local shop for diagnosis, always a good idea when buying a preowned scooter, but also in this instance, incase it is something more than just the kill switch.

celbii · Post by **celbii** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 6:37 pm

Thanks, I'l try my hand at taking it apart here in a bit and see if maybe the contacts need cleaning or something.

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 8:50 pm

sounds like just a wire probably broken off. Can you solder?

jonlink · Post by **jonlink** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 10:06 pm

Skootz Kabootz wrote:The kill switch should do exactly what its name implies - kill the scooter. It is also the correct way to turn off your scooter - kill switch first (scooter stops running), then turn off the ignition.

I hate to be a contrarian, but the kill switch on scooters and motorcycles is for emergencies, it isn't the correct way to turn off the vehicle. Everything I've read (owner's manual, MSF books) and everyone I've talked to (dealer & motorcycle owners) have confirmed as much. In fact, my dealer went out of his way to say that I should avoid turning off the scooter this way... though I have trouble imagining what kind of damage this could cause.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 11:17 pm

jonlink wrote:
Skootz Kabootz wrote:The kill switch should do exactly what its name implies - kill the scooter. It is also the correct way to turn off your scooter - kill switch first (scooter stops running), then turn off the ignition.
I hate to be a contrarian, but the kill switch on scooters and motorcycles is for emergencies, it isn't the correct way to turn off the vehicle. Everything I've read (owner's manual, MSF books) and everyone I've talked to (dealer & motorcycle owners) have confirmed as much. In fact, my dealer went out of his way to say that I should avoid turning off the scooter this way... though I have trouble imagining what kind of damage this could cause.

The MSF course teaches to always turn off your scooter or MC with the kill switch. Why? To develop the reflex. In times of emergency one instinctively does whatever their dominant habit is. Make a habit of grabbing your brakes, that's what you'll do in an emergency, turn your scooter rather than counter steering, that's what you'll do, etc. Developing the habit of turning off your scooter correctly using the kill switch, apart from being a good safety procedure, could also be a life or limb saver in an emergency situation.

celbii · Post by **celbii** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 11:47 pm

Well it will shut the scooter off if i put a little pressure on it so maybe the contacts are just dirty. What is the best way to get to the unit? do i need to take the whole thing apart where the headlight is or just that 1 screw under the switch.

iMoses · Post by **iMoses** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 5:09 pm

jonlink wrote:
Skootz Kabootz wrote:The kill switch should do exactly what its name implies - kill the scooter. It is also the correct way to turn off your scooter - kill switch first (scooter stops running), then turn off the ignition.
I hate to be a contrarian, but the kill switch on scooters and motorcycles is for emergencies, it isn't the correct way to turn off the vehicle. Everything I've read (owner's manual, MSF books) and everyone I've talked to (dealer & motorcycle owners) have confirmed as much. In fact, my dealer went out of his way to say that I should avoid turning off the scooter this way... though I have trouble imagining what kind of damage this could cause.

Since the day I bought my '07 Buddy I've ALWAYS used my kill switch, this month it will be four years of ownership, I've never had any issues. I also use the kill switch on my '09 HD-200 for the two years I've owned it, again without any problems.

jonlink · Post by **jonlink** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 5:31 pm

Let me eat my hat a little....

the MFS scooter handbook (emphasis added by me) wrote:To stop the engine, move the engine cut-off switch to OFF. Do this every time so you can use the switch quickly if you need to. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.

That said, it isn't the one "correct" way to turn off the scooter. There is nothing wrong with bypassing the kill-switch altogether. I will say that it sounds like it is the better way, though.

iMoses wrote:Since the day I bought my '07 Buddy I've ALWAYS used my kill switch, this month it will be four years of ownership, I've never had any issues. I also use the kill switch on my '09 HD-200 for the two years I've owned it, again without any problems.

Yeah, I'm more than a bit skeptical about the quality of my dealer's knowledge. Thanks for the input!

Thanks for bearing with me, folks.

celbii wrote:Well it will shut the scooter off if i put a little pressure on it so maybe the contacts are just dirty. What is the best way to get to the unit? do i need to take the whole thing apart where the headlight is or just that 1 screw under the switch.

Anyway, I'm done hijacking this thread...(sorry!)

Has anyone taken a kill switch apart before? I haven't. If it is dirty contact, then cleaning should be enough. But if it is a worn contact then you might have to replace it.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 6:41 pm

jonlink wrote:...Anyway, I'm done hijacking this thread...(sorry!)

No worries! You brought up a good point that is always good to discuss.

jonlink · Post by **jonlink** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:21 pm

Skootz Kabootz wrote:
jonlink wrote:...Anyway, I'm done hijacking this thread...(sorry!)
No worries! You brought up a good point that is always good to discuss

Thanks for the understanding.

About the kill switch. I took a quick look at mine. It looks like there might be least two screws you'll need to mess with. To get to the one on the back of the kill switch you'll almost definitely need to take off the blinker. It is just too hard to get at that screw with the blinker in the way. There is also a screw on the bottom that may or may not need to be removed. I also saw two holes on the bottom which may have secret screws hidden deep down there. Unfortunately, the service manual doesn't go into details, so it might take some exploring to figure things out. If you do tackle the kill switch, please do everyone a favor and take so photos to document the process.

flatblackbuddy · Post by **flatblackbuddy** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 2:06 pm

celbii wrote:Well it will shut the scooter off if i put a little pressure on it so maybe the contacts are just dirty. What is the best way to get to the unit? do i need to take the whole thing apart where the headlight is or just that 1 screw under the switch.

There are two screws that hold the assembly to the handlebars. Both are on the headlight side of the bars - one on top in plain sight and one on the bottom, which is indeed a pain to get to. Here's a picture of what you're looking for. Obviously I've got things taken apart here but you can see the screw heads top and bottom.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65735849@N ... 713054370/

You may be able to get at the bottom one with a long screwdriver, but if not, take the blinker off for better access. The blinker is held on to the lower headset plastic with one 8mm bolt that you can access with a wrench, or a socket if you take the upper headset plastic off first - I'd go with the wrench. Here's a picture of the blinker bolt - it's the right side but the setup is the same for the left side.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65735849@N ... 713054370/

Be aware that when you take the kill switch assembly apart, you are getting into the assembly where the throttle cable attaches to the throttle sleeve inside the right grip. Check out my DIY on the lower headset removal. I touch on taking the ignition (kill switch) assembly apart and putting it back together. Or PM me if you have specific questions.

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