Everyone please chime in here

[Duster]

OK... while this continues... help me understand some things about the thumb kill switch.

With switches there are Normally Open and Normally Closed switches.
I don't know the difference, but apparently most other machines have a Normally Open switch.
The KFX has a Normally Closed.

Best I understand it... and I could be wrong... is that with NC, current is flowing through the switch when on, if supplied to it? And turning it off would open the contacts and cut the current flow.

So I assume the thumb kill cuts the power to these two things?
And I guess power to the headlights and starter button too...?

There is a brown wire... and I would assume that is the hot wire?
Then there is a yellow/red wire that goes to the coil and the fuel pump relay.

Here is a picture... thanks to knaffie...
The colors are confusing...



But in the end, I have trouble understanding what "leaving it on" is doing to band-aid our problem?

I assume we are leaving power on going to...
Coil
Fuel Pump Relay
Starter Button
Headlights

But with the switch off, there shouldn't be power supplied to it in the first place right?



I'm dumb as chit when it comes to all these wires... but all I can think of is that some how we must be grounding an open or short "the back way"... through the headlight ground wire or something by leaving the kill switch on?

An open/short on the hot wire going to the key switch?
Getting grounded back through the kill switch into the headlight ground wire or something?

[cousinit]

08 model - always switch to neutral when running, turn off thumb switch, shut off key.
Usually ride once a week and it's stored in unheated space. Bought last march, so far so good.

[blk00ss]

would like to add to my last response. I never ever pay any attention to what sequence I turn mine off. Sometimes kill switch first, sometimes key then kill switch. Doesn't seem to matter, still using factory battery.

[nicelyb]

08 Model
Never had a problem
I never thought about the sequence at first until I heard others talk about it. Now I do:

Key off
In Neutral
Tether switch still in

p.s. I removed the black blob and only have a kill switch for a starter button.

My neighbor has an 08 also and has all kinds of battery trouble.

[AZkfx450rider]

I try to leave it in nuetral, with the key off and switch on, i had battery issues wiht my 08 when i first got it, but the shop told me my regulator and stator were bad , every now and then i get a low battery when i leave it in gear, could also be the cold affecting the battery? i seemed to have more battery issues in the winter than the summer months

[Raiden]

Quote: Originally Posted by Duster

Raiden,

I forgot to ask... did both of yours do it?

The only one that I noticed it on was the white and black. It killed the battery and the shop replaced it for me. I saw the threads long ago when people first started having the issue and both quads were parked in neutral so that it wouldnt happen. The white and black one I left in gear and when I went to use it the battery was dead.

[AZkfx450rider]

duster, i am wire technician

Normally closed- is a circut that is closed and needs to be opened to turn things on

for a closed circut, leave switch off and test continuity , there should be no continuity, flip the switch to on and it should make continuity

for normally open, turn switch off and test continuity, it should have contiunity , and flip the switch on and continuity should go away

I think thats how it works

[wicked1921]

my 2010 died when i left switch on. so i kill switch turn key an usually leave in gear. i think it has alot to do with the fact that even though nothing is on there's still a connection to the battery an its still drawing current. like when you let a car battery sit too long. an the kill switch still being closed an there being a path for current to flow it'll suck the battery dry. ill dig thru my electronic principles notes later, if im not too intoxicated lol

[kfxbryan]

Quote: Originally Posted by AZkfx450rider

duster, i am wire technician

Normally closed- is a circut that is closed and needs to be opened to turn things on

for a closed circut, leave switch off and test continuity , there should be no continuity, flip the switch to on and it should make continuity

for normally open, turn switch off and test continuity, it should have contiunity , and flip the switch on and continuity should go away

I think thats how it works

You are off AZ, A closed circuit is one that will allow power through. An open circuit and the power has stopped. Let just say you have a light switch. When your lightbulb is on the circuit is closed (Switch on) when the light is off the circuit is open causing loss of flow of electricity. The term NC and NO refer to the state of the circuit when in its deenergized. As in relay contacts.

[gillflapper]

09 left in gear for a week and it killed the battery beyond charging .I haven't had a problem since I park it in neutral. My mechanic swears the dealer didn't charge the battery properly when they prepped the bike.