Help! Mk.lll won't start

Hi philip

My Mk3 will turn over on the starter if the kill switch is off

check for 12volts on the ignition module or the points.

or just put a plug on the cylinder head and conect it press the starter and check for a spark easy for one person

regards

Bob

Hi Phil,

Electronic ignition or mechanical ?

If mechanical then with the kill switch to kill, the starter will turn the engine over and it WILL start, but as soon as you release the button it will die. I can explain why if you are interested.

If electronic then it will turn over but not start.

Can I ask why you need a kill switch ? I wired mine out in 1978 after having scenario 1 above.

Wire it out then it is one less thing to worry about.

Let me know how it goes.

Regards

Tony

hi phil

the kill switch should short the white wire to the white wire with a yellow stripe .

sounds like this is the problem

regards

bob

Hi phil

yes you can short the white to the white and yellow there

the white and yellow is -12 from the ignition switch (-12 as its +earth)

or put a small wattage bulb from the white and yellow wire to the frame.

if the bulb lights all is ok should turn on and off whith the kill switch (and ignition on)

if not the kill switch is probaly faulty.

the wite wire must have -12 on it as the starter button workes.

hope this helps

bob

Hi Phil

Not shure what to do about the switch i think they are hard to find if you cant fix it you can allways buy a non orignal lucas one or just leave it linked out.

i am not to far away from you if you get stuck in the future with a commando problem i am in basingstoke 3 times a week. but live near Andover

My mk3 commando is now put away for the winter but will be out again next year ive had mine over 30 years so i know it quite well

good luck

Regards Bob

I removed my Mk3 right hand switch cluster years ago when I replaced the master cylinder but from memory, the kill switch part is not too bad to dismantle and clean.

Somewhere in the bottom of a box, I probably have the old switches. - Phil, if your switch is damaged beyond cleaning or soldering connections, give me a shout on the forum and I'll see if I can find it for you.