ignition switch questions?

The little brother to the CA160 in our family of Hondas
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ghoti10
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:58 am

ignition switch questions?

Post by ghoti10 »

I've hit the wall with this one. It's a early 60's ca95 barn find. I had to replace the ignition switch and part of the wiring harness. Now when I hook up the battery, the brake light comes on...unless I turn the key to the 3rd position then it goes off. But I can't remove the key when it's in that spot. So this question is, what are the 4 positions on the switch? Besides off.
Thanks for trying to preserve what little sanity I have left.
hellride731
Posts: 30
Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2009 1:20 pm

Post by hellride731 »

I wish I could help you but im trying to figure these bikes out myself. would you be able to post a wiring diagram? im looking for an ignition switch myself....
ghoti10
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:58 am

Post by ghoti10 »

I found the parts manual here http://downloads.hondatech.info/Moto/CA ... Manual.pdf Page 43 is the wiring diagram. It's a good source of information but it's not the shop manual. I'm looking for what position 1 turns on, what position 2 is for and position 3 and 4 are for. I don't think I have the wrong ignition switch but it wouldn't be the first wrong part. Hope it's not raining where you are.
Smithers
Posts: 3176
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2004 3:58 pm

Post by Smithers »

Yeah you pretty much just use the first position for operation without lights. Then second for operation with lights on. Then the last position is the one you flip the key to when you are behind in a race and you need a little turbo boost to bring home the win. :)

No one knows but I'll throw out the topic when I meet up with some old Honda dudes next. Maybe it's for using when you want to select the headlight manually with the switch on the handlebars. Because there are switches up front so maybe that allows you to turn on the light while riding?

You just need the first position. But Ghoti10 I can't say what the heck is going on with yours. U just gotta track down every wire and make sure the same colors are hooked up etc etc. Maybe you have the wrong switch? You can find them for sale on eBay.
nustar1
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:52 am

Post by nustar1 »

Smithers
Posts: 3176
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2004 3:58 pm

Post by Smithers »

Excellent, thanks for the contribution. You bike looks to be in extremely good shape. Very nice.
Sam Green
Posts: 701
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:48 am

Post by Sam Green »

ghoti10 wrote:I found the parts manual here http://downloads.hondatech.info/Moto/CA ... Manual.pdf Page 43 is the wiring diagram. It's a good source of information but it's not the shop manual. I'm looking for what position 1 turns on, what position 2 is for and position 3 and 4 are for. I don't think I have the wrong ignition switch but it wouldn't be the first wrong part. Hope it's not raining where you are.


It's many years since I had one on the road with lighting and starting systems in place. (mine are all race bikes) From memory, 0 is your parking lock. #1 brings it out of lock and allows you to move the bike without the ignition on. #2 is for ignition/start up. #3 brings in the lighting circuits.
#4 allows you to lock the steering with the parking light on.

Sam. ;)
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