How to Connect the 4 Wires of a Motorcycle Key?
2 Answers
12V positive input. The thin wire with a fuse coming from the battery. 12V positive output, controlled by the key, forms a closed circuit with the red wire to supply the positive power for all vehicle electrical appliances. 12V negative power supply. Ignition-off wire, controlled by the key, forms a closed circuit with the green wire to control the operation of the igniter to achieve shutdown.
I'm a beginner just starting to learn motorcycle repair. Last time I spent quite a while figuring out the key wiring myself. Motorcycle ignition switches usually have four wires: typically red is the main positive battery supply, black is the ground negative, green probably controls the ignition system, and the remaining one manages things like the headlight. Before wiring, you must disconnect the battery's negative terminal to prevent short circuits. I used a multimeter to test each wire's voltage to identify them by color. After securely connecting the wires in order, the bike started successfully on the first try - that sense of achievement was awesome! But a reminder to fellow beginners: don't rush. Wrong connections can easily blow fuses or damage electrical components, leaving your bike dead. I recommend finding video tutorials for your specific model online, or taking photos of the wire colors to ask experienced mechanics. Safety always comes first. After a few practices, you'll get the hang of it and save a lot on repair costs too.
