Starter Switches for an 1800C

[BlueMaxim]

Friend of mine needs to replace the starter switch on her 2002 1800C. I noticed that you have to buy the entire switch assembly for the early models. The later models posted a part that from the price makes me think it is only the switch. So can you buy the switch for the later model and install it or is it too much trouble or just the wrong part? Just tryin gto save my friend some money if I can. Thanks for any help.

[Coyote7864]

I went to the part fiche for the 2002 VTX1800C and
the fiche for the 2007 VTX 1800C1

The switch assembly for the 2002 C model lists at $79.20.
The switch assembly for the 2007 C1 model lists at $42.40.
You do get the entire switch assembly.
I cannot tell from the fiche whether the 2007 switch assembly is
plug compatible with the 2002 switch assembly, but because the
part numbers are so different from each other, I have to assume
that they are not pin-for-pin exactly the same.

I do not have schematics for VTX bikes later than 2005 so I cannot
check it out any closer.

I do know that the current 2002 switch assembly is improved
over the original switch assembly, but do not know how
much longer the expected service life of the improved part
would be compared to the original part.

original 2002 VTX1800C start/stop switch assembly part number
35013-MCH-000
improved 2002 VTX1800C start/stop switch assembly part number
35013-MCH-010

2007 VTX1800C1 start/stop switch assembly part number
35130-MCH-F11

You can extend the service life of your start/stop switch assembly
by installing a relay for your headlight
and a relay to power your lightbar if your lightbar did not come
with a relay originally.

The part of the start/stop switch that usually fails and causes the
rest of the switch assembly to fail is the second set of contacts
in the starter pushbutton switch that causes the headlight to turn off
while the puchbutton is depressed. Eventually that set of contacts gets
carbonized and pitted, which causes the interior of the switch to
heat up and then melt. This is because the full current load of the
headlight (almost five amps) and sometimes the current load of
aftermarket spotlights needs to flow thru those contacts.
Installing a relay reduces the load to a fraction of one amp.

[BlueMaxim]

Thanks for all the info. She does have a Hondaline light bar and I have mentioned the relay to her. I have already pulled the switch and cleaned it and found the plastic around the shunt has partially melted. So a new switch is needed. I was just trying to save her as much as I could since she is a single mom with a girl in college.

[Coyote7864]

A Hondaline lightbar usually comes with a relay and that relay draws
power from the taillight circuit, not from the headlight circuit, so
that should not be the cause of the start/stop switch failing.

But Honda would have done us all a favor and sold a lot fewer
replacement start/stop switch assemblies if they had installed
a headlight relay in our bikes.
Think about it, everything else that is controlled by the switches
on the handlebars uses a relay to provide power for what is controlled:
Engine stop relay for the ignition coils in the kill switch circuit,
fuel pump relay also controlled by the kill switch,
starter solenoid (relay),
turn signal blinker relay.
No relay for the headlight or the horn unless the rider
has one custom installed.

[dunham2]

I believe the 2002 vtx c model did not have the light bar hookups in the headlight bucket. The newer plug was introduced in the 2003 model...She may not have a relay installed,or installed correctly. She may have to bite the bullet on the switch and check for correct hookup of a relay. JMO Stu

[BlueMaxim]

I believe the 2002 vtx c model did not have the light bar hookups in the headlight bucket. The newer plug was introduced in the 2003 model...She may not have a relay installed,or installed correctly. She may have to bite the bullet on the switch and check for correct hookup of a relay. JMO Stu

Thanks for that little piece of info. I will look for that. It may not be a Hondaline lightbar since she bought it used and may just think the po bought it with the lightbar installed. I will order the correct part and see what it takes to put the relay in. That should solve her problem. Thanks for all the info guys.

[Coyote7864]

National Cycle lightbars typically do not come with a relay and come
with installation instructions suggesting that the installer power the
lightbar directly from the lowbeam of the headlight, which would cause
extra current to flow thru the starter pushbutton switch contacts.

Kurakyn lightbars have a relay and wiring kit available at extra cost
and most folks neglect to order the relay.

Big Bike Parts/ Show Chrome Accessories lightbars come with a
wiring kit and a relay but they suggest that the switch for the lightbar
be mounted in a hole in the left painted sidecover, which requires
the rider to remove his hand from the handlebars to turn the lightbar
on and off. My own personal experience is that it may not always be
safe to remove your hand from the handlebars in certain situations,
like high speed cornering for instance.

Although the Honda dealers were instructed to not sell Hondaline
lightbars to VTX1800 C model owners, it is not difficult to splice
the Hondaline lightbars into the C model wiring harness.

Whatever lightbar you have, it is a good idea to power it thru a relay.
I also recommend using a relay for the headlight and I installed a
headlight relay in my own bike.
There is room to mount at least two relays on the "secret" toolbox
door under the left painted side cover. Purchase relays that have
mounting tabs on them and use a self tapping screw to mount them to
the toolbox door. I used common accessory lighting (fog light)
relays. The relays typically sell for $4 to $10 at auto specialty shops.

[Gary1945]

Who out there has a wireing diagram they can share here for adding a relay to support your headlight to keep from frying the stop/start switch? I would like to add this to my 02X1800C. Thanks.

[JimAC]

Who out there has a wireing diagram they can share here for adding a relay to support your headlight to keep from frying the stop/start switch? I would like to add this to my 02X1800C. Thanks.

This was found on the vtxoa How to part of the forums

How can I run a higher wattage headlight without burning out my starter switch?

This is in response to the above post, which discusses why you shouldn't run higher wattage headlight bulbs on the VTX.

Here is what needs to be done to protect the starter switch with higher wattage bulbs (it is possible with some rewiring):

Doing this you are using the starter switch to now do nothing more than trigger a relay which then pulls power to the headlight from the main fuse for the headlight (or you can use power straight from the battery if you install your own fuse). This way you don't have to worry about melting that switch or getting stranded!
Green is your ground, red is the power lead (from the headlight fuse or battery) and the blue with white stripe is what provides power to the headlight hi/low beam switch.

Last update: 2004-12-01 14:19
Author: Bareass