Sidestand Switch - (dead or is it something else/)

[DougEFresh1123]

Let me tell you a story, no it's not about a man named Jed striking oil and moving the family to Beverly, Hills that is, nor is it a story about how I became The Fresh Prince of Bel-Aire. Nope, my story is of a frustrated Goldwing owner.

I rode the bike into work the other morning and all was well in my little Goldwing world, however things went from great to horrible in a matter of hours. Climbed on the bike after work, fired her right up and got ready to go. Put the sidestand up, put the bike into first and the engine killed. Not a good sign, let's try this again maybe the stand wasn't all the way up. Started her up and with some authority I put the sidestand back up, wait, WHAT the dang light is still on. I knew what was gonna happen but I did it anyway and put the bike in gear and of course the engine killed. Tried a third time because we all know the third time is the charm right? Not this time.

Talked a co-worker into helping me push the bike from the back of the parking lot around the building and into the warehouse for the night. The wife wasn't happy about having to delay the glass of wine she just poured so she could waste an hour of her time coming to pick me up, but it still beat me having a 10 mile walk home. Thought this was going to be an easy fix, so I researched how to jump the switch so I could get the bike home and parked until I could get a new sidestand switch delivered.

Went to work the next day, pulled the sidestand switch off and commenced adding the paperclip jump between the green ground wire and the green/white wire. The quick fix was successful, rode home happy thinking when the new switch comes in I'll swap it out and all will be good in my little Goldwing world. WRONG!

Now is when things get interesting, pulled almost all of the right side off just to change out a wire, if anyone knows of a faster and easier way please create a "how-to" so the next unlucky rider can benefit. After installing the new switch I fired up the bike, but the sidestand up and the dang light was still on and the engine killed. Now I'm really frustrated and baffled!!

Some Crucial data for diagnostic help:
Bike in gear, clutch pulled in - no start
Bike in neutral - bike starts
The above two happen regardless of which switch I have installed.
I have replaced the Clutch Lever Bushing back in Sept 2019

I'm at a loss as to what is causing the issue, please help me become a Happy Goldwing Owner again. On a side note please look at the last picture, the connector was unplugged but I have no idea what it controls, and I have no recollection of disconnecting. The one circled is the second from the top, the black one

[Rambozo]

That switch doesn't look new. Plug in the switch but do not install it and test that when you rotate it everything works as expected. Then mount it and verify that the switch is actually being turned by the side stand and that it travels far enough to actuate the switch. Something could be slightly bent or worn.

[gford]

if your bypass worked then it must be the switch, i would do what rambozo suggested and go from there.

[DougEFresh1123]

That switch doesn't look new. Plug in the switch but do not install it and test that when you rotate it everything works as expected. Then mount it and verify that the switch is actually being turned by the side stand and that it travels far enough to actuate the switch. Something could be slightly bent or worn.

Are you referring to the round metal part, which attaches to the motorcycle? if so you are correct that is my original part, I only received the wiring/plug portion. Guess maybe I need to find the rest or just continue to use with the jump.

Thanks - Doug