ignition switch issues

bvanek · Feb 5, 2014

Hello,

I read some past threads about Kioti ignition switch issues.

I have a 2012 build Kioti DK40 SE. After owning for about a year I have recently encountered ignition switch issues in which sometimes it doesn't start or doesn't turn on the dash indicators lights or both. Continuing to reengage the switch and maybe holding pressure on the key will sometimes get me a start but it seems to be regressing to not working at all.
Called the dealer and they said this was an ongoing problem with Kioti ignition switches and it is under warranty and will be replaced. But he also told me some history about this problem. Kioti has been aware of this issue for quite some time. They first went to a modified ignition with better protection from the elements....this did not cure the issue. They then went to new ignition switch manufacturer and this also did not cure the problem? They are currently back to the old ignition switches (probably cheaper for them) and now they change out the switches and hope for the best? This leaves me with a bad feeling. Although Kioti is trying to cure the issue, they seem to not have found a solution.

Corrosion/moisture seems to be the consensus, but my tractor has never been left out in the rain. It is kept in a carport type enclosure with one open side. I live in the NW about 50 miles from the coast ...we get our share of rain and humidity but it has been unusually dry this year. However we have also had fog or low clouds and the cold air condenses on the tractor metal and it's essentially wet from this on certain days. Guess this may be my issue, but I don't plan on taking the old one apart because I have to return it for warranty.
I have not picked up the new ignition switch yet (the dealer is 30 miles away) Has anyone else had issues with this and is there a solution (or possibly a related issue) that I am not aware of? Also if anyone has replaced this before, is it difficult?

thanks

k0ua · Feb 5, 2014

I had problems with mine about 150 hours and a year and a half ago, I sprayed it twice with Fluid Film, and have never had any more issues with it. Just sprayed it in the key slot, and run the key and a bunch of times and operated the switch, and did it again about a week later for good measure.

deerseeker001 · Feb 5, 2014

Welcome from Wisconsin

ritcheyvs · Feb 6, 2014

I have a 2006 DK45S (not SE). My switch got wonky a couple years back. I disassembled, cleaned, and lubed the switch and had no problems since. The switch is very simple; it's a copper disk with raised areas that touch stationary contacts as the disk rotates. My switch was fouled, mostly by dirt. Reassembly can be tricky and there are springs that can get lost, easily. Your switch may be different. The switch on my tractor is below the instrument panel so removal and replacement is very easy.

Supplemental: If you decide to disassemble this switch, do it in a place where spring-loaded parts won't get lost (like inside a big zip-lock bag) and take photos along the way. As I recall. it was possible to reassemble 180 degrees off (or was it 120 degrees?) so taking a couple digital photos would have saved me a second reassembly.

MotorSeven · Feb 6, 2014

Yes, clean it. Even under warranty it can be a hassle to haul your tractor in. Mine is not under warranty, so I asked the other day at my dealer(even though mine is not giving me any problems yet)......brace yourself....the switch is $90.

Dingo Man · Feb 6, 2014

I just replaced my ignition tonight. Three screws, separate the steering column cover, unplug old, plug in new, and place cover back. Pretty easy it took me about 10min in single digit temps so I was happy. I was experiencing degrading starting issues as well. My dealer sent me what they called an updated switch. The switch is different and feels and looks better made than the stock switch. I will try it in the morning after it sits all night at below zero temps. Hopefully this fixes the problem.

PILOON · Feb 6, 2014

Koua uses fluid film and I have used WD40 to also get good results.

Dismantling my switch proved easy and what I discovered was dry caked lubricant that prevented contacts from occurring.
The WD40 softened the lube and switch has worked ever since.

I since now WD40 all my locks, cars, house and padlocks.
The WD also prevents water penetration. (WD=water displacement)

bvanek · Feb 6, 2014

thanks everyone for your input.
As soon as this weather breaks (snow, wind, and bitterly cold) I'll head out across the river to the dealer in Washington to get the part. I'm glad I have a smaller (Cub Cadet) tractor so I can get my road plowed. The Kioti will not start at all now. Except for this issue it has been a very good tractor for the money.
Dingo; let me know about your new ignition switch . I will compare my old one as well and see if it is any different. Seems to me that Kioti would have made some sort of progress with this issue. Also thanks for the reassurance that this may not be hard to replace. It looked rather easy but sometimes you get surprises. I think I will try the lubrication on the new switch as some have suggested.

The following is me venting;
This is an ignition switch...this is not new technology? it makes no sense to have continued issues with this? Many times they "broker" items like these and get supplied by the lowest bidder. Doesn't seem reasonable to compromise an otherwise great tractor with a cheap ignition system.
I would also add that these tractors sit out in the weather at most dealerships for months. 85% of them are sold without canopies. So they have to know that these components will be subject to some extremes. It's a tractor!
.......My Kioti was actually a 2013 model not a 2012 like I thought...but it still had the "tier four" pollution on it. I don't know when they were going to change to the full blown pollution standard, but I do know it added a lot more electronics/electrical components and an extra $18000.00 to the price tag. Maybe they are putting in better switches?
(Now I'm just ranting....but I feel better)

thanks for the info guys....would be nice to keep this thread going as it seems to be a common issue.

k0ua · Feb 6, 2014

PILOON said:
Koua uses fluid film and I have used WD40 to also get good results.

Dismantling my switch proved easy and what I discovered was dry caked lubricant that prevented contacts from occurring.
The WD40 softened the lube and switch has worked ever since.

I since now WD40 all my locks, cars, house and padlocks.
The WD also prevents water penetration. (WD=water displacement)

There you go.:thumbsup:

rimshot · Feb 7, 2014

I have 1250 hours and seven years of use on my ignition switch and not had a problem. I guess I am lucky.

rim

k0ua · Feb 7, 2014

rimshot said:
I have 1250 hours and seven years of use on my ignition switch and not had a problem. I guess I am lucky.

rim

Or the grease did not dry out for some reason in your switch!

On a large run of Nortel PBX's about 15 years ago, the grease dried out on the main power supply on/off switch. PBX's are not turned on and off a lot, in fact they usually run 24/7/365. But if you did turn the PBX off for some reason, and it did need to be turned off occasionally for maintenance, they would never come on again, as the dried grease would not allow the contacts to make again. This of course was a disaster that usually occurred late at night in a "maintenance window".

bvanek · Feb 8, 2014

thanks guys.
The wd-40 worked . (it is all I had on Hand) just sprayed it in the key slot for now. may have to take apart as suggested (but at least I can get it started right now.) Maybe it was the cold weather causing the grease to cake/harden as several guys suggested.

me happy now

Dingo Man · Feb 8, 2014

If your still under warranty I would still have your dealer send you the new switch. It won't hurt to have it.

bvanek · Feb 8, 2014

Yes, Dingo, I think that getting the new switch is a good idea. I still have to hold the key with pressure to get contact to start. My dealer has already told me that he has them in stock, they are aware of the problem, and it's under warranty.

Deekes · Feb 9, 2014

I guess a service bulletin would be completely out of the question. They would rather have a disgruntled owner over something so trivial. Stand by your product man. Some people earn their living and can't have down time over a 90 dollar part. I know in the big scheme of things, a cheaper part can mean a thousand bucks cheaper at the dealer when buying a tractor but let people know so their not stuck out in a customer's snowbank.

PILOON · Feb 10, 2014

My guess would be 'pride (or false pride)' in that our product is perfect or just can't be so.
The other possibility is that if they admit a problem out come the lawyers and up go the costs.

Deekes said:
I guess a service bulletin would be completely out of the question. They would rather have a disgruntled owner over something so trivial. Stand by your product man. Some people earn their living and can't have down time over a 90 dollar part. I know in the big scheme of things, a cheaper part can mean a thousand bucks cheaper at the dealer when buying a tractor but let people know so their not stuck out in a customer's snowbank.

hwkmn05 · Oct 23, 2014

Incredible that works. I was ready to change it out on my DK45hst, and gave that a shot with Nut blaster. It didnt work right away, but left it over night and bingo, turns over
every time now. It was in and out this past year.

bvanek · Oct 24, 2014

update; I continued using both WD and Fluid Film but still had some part-time issues, during the wet season. (tractor under cover) The dealer mailed me a new switch (no charge) as they have agreed, along with Kioti that there is a problem here. When the weather got drier the issue went away and I have yet to install the new switch. We will see what happens as the season gets damper.....will be adding the lubricants to protect from the moisture, but I do have the replacement switch to fall back on.

The dealer has shown me a changed out switch showing some very minor corrosion on the contact points. Odd that such minor corrosion could cause complete failure? The dealer said that the replacement switches have not had any issues, so they must have done something to improve the product. I would think that Kioti has a game plan to correct this issue? These things happen quite frequently now-days because part manufacturing is generally "farmed out" to the lowest bidder (world wide). Thus quality control and using the consumer to test your product allows avenues for failure.

That said, My Kioti tractor has otherwise been near perfect for the two years I have had it. (knock on wood)...... and kioti has the best warranty in the business.

Coyote machine · Oct 24, 2014

Kioti has a plastic cover to keep moisture out of the switch, that is supposed to be on every tractor sold. It can be bought for chump change from any Kioti dealer. It won't fix a bad switch, but could keep one from going bad. It has a little plastic lead so it stays with the switch when the key is in the ignition, then you cap the switch after use, and brush your tooth before bed too!

Kioti Lee · Nov 12, 2014

I have had trouble with the switches on my tractor also. 2 light/turn signal switches and just got my fourth ignition switch.. Cost me $100.00 for switch and a nice weather weekend. It is enough to make me sorry that I bought this tractor (venting, friend had to go get his Kubota so we could move logs. He took get joy in turning it on and off.) I coated the last switch with liquid electrical tape and I always cover switch. My storage conditions are similar to bvanek's. Probably get parts from same dealer. I like the tractor (now that 4 wheel drive issue resolved) but could not recommend it. Pretty silly for Kioti not to deal with the issue.