Modern Buddy

Has anyone had a problem with the ignition switch? A few weeks after I got my buddy, the switch was jammed in the off position. Oddly enough, the scooter still started and I took it to my dealer. He inserted a small screwdriver and freed it up. I though at the time I wasn't being careful enough and maybe tried to turn the key while I had it pushed in.
Now it's done it again; same thing, in the off position, though I can still start it. Have to kill it with the manual switch. Can pop the trunk by turning it with a screwdriver. I tried wd40, and jiggling with a jewelers screwdriver.
Called buddy's 24 hour assistance, found it was only good for towing.
Dealer is not open today; any suggestions?

I sort of had the same problem:
If the key is still in the ignition, well I did the same thing on the very first second of ownership of my Buddy 125 – 06. It was my fault by not being careful with the unusual multifunctional mechanism. The dealer after several minutes of slowly wiggling and sliding was able to remove the key without harm. Ever since I have been careful using the key and haven’t suffered any other problems with the ignition/locking mechanism.
I would do as the dealer did on my scoot and slowly manipulate the key out/in – they are weak tumblers and will tolerate the manipulation. – Otherwise I’m not sure I had suffered the same problem as you.
Or wait until the dealership opens.

This has happened to me a number of times.

What's happening is that you're pulling the key out before the ignition is fully in the off position. That's why the scooter still starts and functions properly.

What i've been able to do each time is partially insert the key and GENTLY wiggle it around, turning it to the left and the right and eventually the key will slide back in.

It seems like once you've done this to the scooter once, you're much more likely to have it happen again. You just have to really be sure that you have the ignition fully in the off position before pulling out the key.

Good luck and be patient.

Peace,
sdw

I had this problem or a very similar one when the scoot was new. I also found that a little jiggling would let it release. Mine was also hanging up in the depressed position for releasing the seat latch. I worked over both the ignition switch and the seat latch/cable with WD40. After a bit more use, the problem disappeared.

Thanks for the input! I jiggled the ignition some more and finally got the key to insert. It is now working properly. I thought it was a one time issue when my scoot was new since it happened in the first few weeks. I've now had it 6 months and have 3600 miles on it. Guess I'll have to remember to turn the key very slowly and not push it at all when I'm turning it off.

I've had mine stuck in the on position before. Even though the key was out and physically the key was in the off position, the bike would still start. I fixed it by spraying wd-40 inside the key hole and turning the key back and forth a lot of times.