BMW Motorcycle stuck ignition/starter/kill switch - and how to fix it 

Thanks for the video. I just recent purchased a 2013 BMW F800GS with 4,000 miles on it which based on the maintenance records had the switch replaced on a bulletin at the original dealer back in 2015. I was on a three day camping adventure in Texas this week and noticed that the switch started to become almost impossible to start the bike. When I got home, I found your video and removed the white safety pin and spring...PROBLEM SOLVED!!! It took less than 20 minutes to take it apart, remove the pin and reinstall. One note for future readers...once you remove the first screw, you can then remove the bottom portion of the housing to access the second screw. These are 8mm screws. Thanks again for taking the time to make your video and share this information. The repair for a replacement at the dealer is close to $300. The white pin really serves no purpose other than to make it a bit harder to presser's the switch. The switch still functions as normal, just without jamming up and preventing you from starting your motorcycle.

Hello, thank you for the usefull video. It helped and saved a lot of hassle and money as well. I can add as an addition to the issue, that I found the little pin with the spring after many switches it becomes very sharp preventing the switch to "jump" between STOP/START position smoothly. What I did, I sanded down the sharpy edge, to make it a bit more "round" shape, to help between switches. This way and using some grease, it is working as smooth as before the issue. Good luck!

Thanks !😁.This is an excellent help and saves a potentially expensive problem or getting stranded. It is a 10 minute job BUT to undo the screws (as the video says) you need a T8 screwdriver and these are not so common as most sets stop at T10 so make sure that you have this before starting

Thanks for doing the video. My 2014 1200GS LC just started having this problem. Took me about 30mins after watching your video and searching for a T9. Found one in a mobile phone screen kit! I rounded off the Sharp edge of the plastic pin with a file, greased it up and it seems to work fine.

Wow! Thanks for the video! I have a 2014 R1200GS and I have replaced that switch every 18 months or so since I bought the bike new. Up until now it's been under warranty so I just let BMW swap it out for me every time. This year due to Covid-19, I didn't ride my bike quite as much and the 24-month warranty on that switch ran out. Rather than buy a $400 switch, I began looking around the internet and find your video. It worked like a charm. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Gracias, Just did the repair to a 2017 R Nine T. Everything was exactly as described. I did however reinstall the little white thing. I removed it, sanded it a bit to sharpen the tip and reinserted it. It works great now.

Thank you so much for posting this video. Save me a lot of time and money. Greatly appreciated

Thanks! This helped me troubleshoot my F800R that wouldn't start. Might have just been bad wire connection but at least I got it starting after cleaning the inside and lubing the pin. Would probably not even have been able to open the bloody thing without your instructions :)

Thank you very much..thanx for the heads up..T9 ! I was struggling to figure out what type of fastener in that hole..my eyesight is bad.. it was my K1300S switch...it looks the same as the GS switch..may God help you one day when you're in need..thanx again mate.

Thanks from the UK for the vid ,my 2016 1200 has just started with the problem , a little job for me in the week I think ,thankyou again 👍

Thanks for save me in 2024

Thanks for the video. I will remove from my switch since i have a really hard time to start . I hope will work on my GS1200 Adv.

Had the sane thing happen on my 2015 GS and removed the white ‘Clicker’. Now works perfectly again..;-) (Switch Unit is a little different, but the Start/Stop button assembly is exactly the same)

Thank You Man !!

Thank you for this!

thanks just about to pull my k1300gt to bits now i know what iam looking for..

ok I have a same problem with my K1300R and BMW asked me for 260 for whole assembly part replacement. a friend of mine told me never mess with BMW switch box but gotta try this. so there r no diseffect from removing that white thigy???

Since two days ago, i have a similar issue in mine F800R, the switch kills the bike as it runs, and does not want to start, and then randomly starts, and again randomly kills the bike

Bro I've got a bmw but no key how cud I get threw that

WOW thanks for the video I will fix my s1000rr that the starter switch is HARD AS F***

Alternatively just lube the white plunger. Good as new

buddy can the vibration while driving switch it off?

Why are these switchgears so expensive and so rubbish? They seem to be made in China for pittance. BMW are really a rip off with parts. My RT menu button is sticking all the time. I've taken it to bits, cleaned with WD40, greased and it still sticks. I tried AFC50, spray grease, nothing seems to overcome the crappy design and rubbish plastic. Unfortunately it's all sealed and is very hard to get behind the one switch I need to really look at.

Backlight is never a good idea....

Thanks from the UK for the vid ,my 2016 1200 has just started with the problem , a little job for me in the week I think ,thankyou again 👍