Lube the Key Switch

[ritcheyvs]

My 2006 DK45s sat outside during some serious rain for the last several days. I normally keep it under a shed roof but I was half-way done with maintenance that required parking by my garage. When I tried to start the engine I saw no idiot lights (glow. brake, etc.) and while the engine would crank, it wouldn't catch.

Remembering my prior experience and several TBN reports, I liberally squirted electrical contact cleaner in the key hole and cycled the key a couple of times. Like magic, all is well again. I repeated the treatment for good measure.

So: I think key hole lubrication (with Fluid Film, Electrical Contact Cleaner, or WD-40, in order of preference) should be part of annual preventive maintenance as well as the first diagnostic step when odd electrical things occur (e.g some things work and some don't when you turn the key).

 

[747driver]

Happened to me a year ago. Turn the key...no start. As you said...I went and got me some electric contact spray. That solved the problem. So now every once in awhile I spray some in the key slot !!

 

[mcfarmall]

Lock-Ease graphited lock spray. I swear by the stuff and have been using it for decades.

 

[oosik]

I have problems with the key hole on some of my equipment - its not make/break electrical contact. It some darn type of wasp that likes to make its nest in tiny, tight holes and it really likes the uncovered ignition key holes. It takes about twenty minutes to dig all the gunk out of the key hole - douche it out with WD-40 and get it all functioning again.

My solution - hot bees wax into the key hole followed by a really hot key. The bees wax cools and locks the key in the key hole. No fall out key, no gummed up key hole - you always know where the key is.

Probably not the best solution in a more urban setting.

 

[ritcheyvs]

Lock-Ease graphited lock spray. I swear by the stuff and have been using it for decades.

The problems I (and others) experienced were dirty/corroded electrical contacts in the electrical part of the switch, not in the tumblers/wafers in the mechanical portion. Somehow, "lube" squirted in the key hole manages to reach the electrical part of the switch and clean the contacts. You can find photos of the "guts" of the electrical part here. I don't know if a graphite suspension would be effective or not.

 

[goeduck]

Lock-Ease graphited lock spray. I swear by the stuff and have been using it for decades.

I have that or something similar for the tumbler side of locks/ignitions sold to me by a crusty old locksmith guy. Good stuff, does not gum up or attract buildup. Like chain lube.