Erratic ignition & starting on 961 Command.

Mark Hale · Jun 29, 2020

Hi. My Norton 2018 Commando 961 Sport seems to have an intermittent ignition problem and wanted ask if anyone had any experience with this.

I put the key in the ignition turn it to on and sometimes it comes on sometimes it does not. By this I mean the dash lights etc come on and sometimes they don't.

I have tried pulling in the clutch (I know i need to do this for starting), I have tried a combination of using the on/off handle bar switch and even pushing the key down when turning it to on.

Sometimes when you wait a while (feels like for ever) the dash lights etc come up and it starts and runs fine.

Batterie all ways kept on trickle charge when not being used.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

BLIGHTYBRIT/SF · Jun 29, 2020

Mark Hale said:
Hi. My Norton 2018 Commando 961 Sport seems to have an intermittent ignition problem and wanted ask if anyone had any experience with this.

I put the key in the ignition turn it to on and sometimes it comes on sometimes it does not. By this I mean the dash lights etc come on and sometimes they don't.

I have tried pulling in the clutch (I know i need to do this for starting), I have tried a combination of using the on/off handle bar switch and even pushing the key down when turning it to on.

Sometimes when you wait a while (feels like for ever) the dash lights etc come up and it starts and runs fine.

Batterie all ways kept on trickle charge when not being used.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Check Fuses under seat/cowl , sometimes crack , Also relays can shake loose or fail , relays are all the same , so u can swap around or fit the Honda version , had similar prob recently but it was micro switch on clutch lever ,I was prompted to check the above from Tony A , cheers Richard

Mark Hale · Jun 29, 2020

BLIGHTYBRIT/SF said:
Check Fuses under seat/cowl , sometimes crack , Also relays can shake loose or fail , relays are all the same , so u can swap around or fit the Honda version , had similar prob recently but it was micro switch on clutch lever ,I was prompted to check the above from Tony A , cheers Richard

Thanks for the advice. I will certainly have a look.

Lincolnshire Poacher · Jun 29, 2020

Mark Hale said:
Hi. My Norton 2018 Commando 961 Sport seems to have an intermittent ignition problem and wanted ask if anyone had any experience with this.

I put the key in the ignition turn it to on and sometimes it comes on sometimes it does not. By this I mean the dash lights etc come on and sometimes they don't.

I have tried pulling in the clutch (I know i need to do this for starting), I have tried a combination of using the on/off handle bar switch and even pushing the key down when turning it to on.

Sometimes when you wait a while (feels like for ever) the dash lights etc come up and it starts and runs fine.

Batterie all ways kept on trickle charge when not being used.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Make sure you check the main fuse under the tank....I had a similar problem and I identified a faulty main fuse. There was insulation material within the female element of the fuse. I ended up replacing the fuse by cutting it out and soldering in a new one. Not difficult. Good luck

Mark Hale · Jun 30, 2020

Lincolnshire Poacher said:
Make sure you check the main fuse under the tank....I had a similar problem and I identified a faulty main fuse. There was insulation material within the female element of the fuse. I ended up replacing the fuse by cutting it out and soldering in a new one. Not difficult. Good luck

Hi Once again thanks for your help. I will have a look at this as well.