Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Tavi on August 20, 2020, 05:05:32 PM
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2008 Concours. Motorcycle battery ok, fob battery ok.
When I push down the key it doesn't disengage the lock nor lights up the screen.
After some research online, mostly this forum and youtube, I was lucky enough to fix it with a screwdriver and lot of electric contact cleaner.
Thank you all for sharing your knowledge. Kind of complicated to name everyone.
The process:
Tap, tap didn't work.
Punching the key (instead of hammering, it seems too much). It worked! That made me think it's that switch, I think some guy was talking on youtube.
Not having the tools to open the ignition actually saved some work, hopefully.
So, I sprayed a lot of contact cleaner into ignition and that ring around it that goes down when you push the key. Use the spare key to see better. Than I pushed away the rubber ring and with a screwdriver I wiggle a bit under the left side pin, the longer one out of four. I presume the magic switch, the G spot is right there: it lighted up the screen! Actually I think I push it down with the screwdriver. Maybe a god trick if you're stranded somewhere. Put back the rubber and done, hopefully for another 12 years. Unfortunately I cracked the rubber in the process.
I just wanted to add: all this started after I rode in a big downpour plus pressure wash after I got home.
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Might want to move this to the C14 section :-)
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Your wish is my command...
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When I push down the key it doesn't disengage the lock nor lights up the screen. Punching the key (instead of hammering, it seems too much). It worked!
You have discovered the "K-rock." A very well-known/documented issue with the C14. If you press the knob and there is no response from the dash (and the bike is otherwise OK), and pounding on the knob wakes it up, the microswitch is sticking. It is especially problematic in Gen 1 before they changed to a stronger spring in Gen2.
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=17864 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=17864)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=6976.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=6976.0)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=21797.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=21797.0)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=22804 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=22804)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=23876.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=23876.0)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=20378 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=20378)
among many
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While you are correct in that Kawasaki is using a stronger springs on the Gen. 2 bikes, the change did not happen in 2010 when the Gen. 2 was introduced. The information is a bit spotty because, well, it is a secret ::) but it was quite a bit later than 2010 for the heavier spring. And for dessert, that is not the cure either although it did seem to reduce the instances of the stuck activation switch....
Brian
You have discovered the "K-rock." A very well-known/documented issue with the C14. If you press the knob and there is no response from the dash (and the bike is otherwise OK), and pounding on the knob wakes it up, the microswitch is sticking. It is especially problematic in Gen 1 before they changed to a stronger spring in Gen2.
<snip>
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the change did not happen in 2010 when the Gen. 2 was introduced. The information is a bit spotty because, well, it is a secret ::)
Didn't we determine it was likely 2011 models? Maybe?
And for dessert, that is not the cure either although it did seem to reduce the instances of the stuck activation switch....
Yep, just a hopeful "patch", we continue to be stuck with the problem of a possible stuck switch on all models were are stuck with.
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Going by my memory here which is not improving with time but I <think> it was during the '12 model year run.
Yep, a stronger, better band aid but still patch nevertheless. To actually correct the design, the the activation switch would have to be mechanically linked to the stove knob ass'y so that when (not if) it sticks, as much force as needed could be applied to open the switch. And it does not take a great deal of force either but sometimes more than a 'ballpoint pen' sized spring can provide. All of that said, it sure does seem unlikely that anything will ever be done with the design as 2020 will be the last year of the bike anyway.
Brian
Didn't we determine it was likely 2011 models? Maybe?
Yep, just a hopeful "patch", we continue to be stuck with the problem of a possible stuck switch on all models were are stuck with.