Red ignition warning light not working

Status
Not open for further replies.
nortonisthebest

nortonisthebest

Joined
Aug 1, 2014
Messages
122
On a 71 Norton commando, how do you get the red ignition warning light to work using a sparks electronic ignition system? I also have a solid state charging system. I also installed a new main and headlamp wiring harness. I no longer have a rectifier, Zenor diode, capacitor etc.
 
Don't bother get a battery status monitor (BSM) - relatively cheap and tells you what the DC voltage is doing.
 
Check to see if the warning light assimilator is wired up correctly or that is not a dead unit.
Cheers,
Thomas
CNN
 
Does your main harness have terminals for a warning light assimilator?
Or is it something you made yourself?
 
maylar said:
Does your main harness have terminals for a warning light assimilator?
Or is it something you made yourself?
Click to expand...

Ha yes Maylar,

I am assuming he has stock wiring harness and he has the three idiot lights and no ammeter on the head light shell.
the info is still a little sketchy.
Cheers,
Thomas
CNN
 
nortonisthebest said:
On a 71 Norton commando, how do you get the red ignition warning light to work using a sparks electronic ignition system? I also have a solid state charging system. I also installed a new main and headlamp wiring harness. I no longer have a rectifier, Zenor diode, capacitor etc.
Click to expand...


The bottom of the assimilator should have three terminals. If you look closely they are marked (I believe) "E",
"W" and "AL"

That would be Earth, Warning Light and (any lead on the) Alternator.

Pete
 
My 1971 Norton has a new wiring harness from UK and has all the wiring for the warning light assimilator. I have all the connections for the
old wiring system on the wiring harness. I also have just the three warning lights on the headlamp shell. I didn't thank I could wire in a warning light assimilator along with the electronic timing system?
 
IMHO
The assimilator operates on it own loop. It get AC from the stator wire which causes it to open the circuit to the warning light. I use a Boyer ignition, Podtronics regulator but tossed the mechanical assimilator for a solid state unit. The mechanical unit uses a lot of power for the job it does. I have a '75 (with a can assimilator) so I can't give you wire colors.
 
Andover Norton sells an "original" solid-state replacement sealed in a film canister. Fits the original spring. Put one on my '71 six years ago and has worked perfectly ever since.
 
All these suggestions sound great. Does anyone have a wiring diagram on how to install one? I am not an electrical guy only mechanical.
Thanks for your reply's.
 
Deets55 said:
IMHO
The assimilator operates on it own loop. It get AC from the stator wire which causes it to open the circuit to the warning light. I use a Boyer ignition, Podtronics regulator but tossed the mechanical assimilator for a solid state unit. The mechanical unit uses a lot of power for the job it does. I have a '75 (with a can assimilator) so I can't give you wire colors.
Click to expand...

Me too. Sparx 3 phase stator, solid state regulator. I have the CoolCat solid state version http://www.coolcatcorp.com/Merchant..._Code=CEC&Product_Code=SS3AW-P&Category_Code=

Wires up just like stock, works well. Though if I did it again I"d use one of those LED color change monitor thingies that fit in the warning lamp hole.

DRC
 
I have the original can on my 74 and I have a little voltmeter as well. I keep the can and red light
because it still works and without it I usually forget to turn the key off or to turn it on!
 
Onder said:
I have the original can on my 74. I keep the can and red light
because it still works and without it I usually forget to turn the key off or to turn it on!
Click to expand...

+1
:)
Cheers,
Thomas
CNN
 
nortonisthebest said:
All these suggestions sound great. Does anyone have a wiring diagram on how to install one? I am not an electrical guy only mechanical.
Thanks for your reply's.
Click to expand...

You have to first choose which option you want to go with.
 
nortonisthebest said:
All these suggestions sound great. Does anyone have a wiring diagram on how to install one? I am not an electrical guy only mechanical.
Thanks for your reply's.
Click to expand...

nortonisthebest,
Check the top section of Access Norton for... Technical Information & How To Post Photos:
in there you will have to look for your... Commando Workshop Manual '71-:
You should see a diagram for your wiring harness and what colour/stripe wire goes where. The red light is independent to what ever ignition system you use or your choice of rectifier/ zener. If the assimilator is working correctly and you have it hooked up correctly. The red light will be on when you turn the ignition switch to the on position. This tell you that you are on battery power only. It will stay red until you start the bike. The light will go out when the engine is running and this tells you the alternator is making power and sending it to the battery. It is a very primitive early warning system that tells you during riding that there is a problem (if it turn on) at the stator/ rotor/ wiring to the rectifier and that your alternator is no longer producing power to the battery.
I hope that helps.
Cheers,
Thomas
CNN
 
Yes this helps. It's nice to know how the warning light works. Question, On my stator I have a green wire with a white strip and a white wire with a green strip. Does it matter which wire I use when connecting a SS3AW relay in place of the warning light assimilator? I have a Sparks solid state ignition system and a solid state battery charging system. The shop manual wiring schematic shows a green wire with a yellow strip and a white wire with a green strip. Not sure if this matters.
 
nortonisthebest said:
Question, On my stator I have a green wire with a white strip and a white wire with a green strip. Does it matter which wire I use when connecting a SS3AW relay in place of the warning light assimilator? I have a Sparks solid state ignition system and a solid state battery charging system. The shop manual wiring schematic shows a green wire with a yellow strip and a white wire with a green strip. Not sure if this matters.
Click to expand...

NistheB,
You are not going to attach this relay to your stator wires. ???

Under the tank area in the wire loom you should have the lines for tapping into the assimilator. find these with your wiring diagram. This is where you can tap into, for your relay. Follow the directions with this SS3AW relay from their website. Others may have a better idea.
Cheers,
Thomas
CNN
 
nortonisthebest said:
On my stator I have a green wire with a white strip
Click to expand...

Actually a green and faded yellow, so it's the "GY" wire on the wiring diagram.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
1975 Mk3 Commando ignition warning light problem
Replies
18
Views
1,539
Thomasa
Thomasa
Britstuff
Warning light assimilator wiring with 3 phase alternator and solid state Regulator / rectifier. Flashing light
Replies
7
Views
828
850commando
850commando
Dan1950
  • Locked
Ignition Warning Light as Oil Pressure Light?
2
Replies
20
Views
2,458
Saber
Saber
Britstuff
Missing "Warning light Assimilator" & "Blue Lamp Flasher Unit". Lucas Rita Ignition, Podtronics rectifier / regulator
Replies
4
Views
746
joe czech
joe czech
Edgarr
  • Locked
‘75 Mark III red ignition light
Replies
3
Views
1,250
L.A.B.
L.A.B.
Back
Top