QuestionWell this might be strange question but here goes. I recently got an elsinore mt 250 that had been sitting since 1985 I pulled the ign switch because it didn't have a key I went to a salvage yard and got a used one they told me would work the plugs where different so I soldered my plug onto it heres the problem the one they sold is off red then black my old one was off red. Now it starts on off and black and turns off on red. So It starts with out a key and the signals wont work. Its a 5 term switch and they are Ig t1 t2 t2 and bat my wires are green red black and black with white stripe help!!!!
AnswerBrian, just because it looks like it will mount up, it doesn't mean that the internal contacts are the same.
I don't have any ready reference to MT250s, as they sold very few and none ever came my way. I believe that they have a magneto ignition system, which is self-powered and doesn't require a battery.
Ignition switches on magneto ignitions are designed to GROUND out the magneto when you turn the engine OFF. With the switch in the ON position the ground circuit is opened up, to allow the magneto to function as normal.
Battery ignition machines are designed to turn off the voltage to power the points/condenser ignition systems in the OFF position, and power the circuits up in the ON position. VERY different functions for a similar looking switch.
You have to find a switch that is wired for magneto ignitions only! Not a lot of them were made back then, at least for the street.... MT125, MT250 and maybe MR175s "not street legal but had lights".
Trying to wire your bike to the wrong switch is not a good use of your time and money, at this point. Find an owner's manual or shop manual with a wiring diagram, so you can get back on track with this project.
You could have gotten a key made for your old switch at a locksmiths, most likely.
Bill Silver
