Ignition Switch

Post by **alanworland** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 8:08 pm

What a lovely weekend! There we were 'cruisin' down Southend sea front receiving all the admiring waves and smiles in the Morris when, the alarm goes off and the immobiliser cuts in (but only for a couple of seconds)
There is, it seems, a problem with the ignition switch - it briefly has a bad contact within, which upsets the alarm, I dont suppose I would ever have known about it but for having the alarm fitted!
I am planning to remove the switch shortly and take it apart for a clean and refurbishment of the contacts etc
Has anyone had occasion to undo one of these switches? Do they come apart ok? (and go back together!)

Post by **mike.perry** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:10 pm

I think there is a small pin that pushes in to release the lock barrel from the case.
My ignition occassionally rotates slightly into the off position causing the engine to cut out.

Post by **alanworland** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:00 pm

Thanks for the info Mike, once its out I can have a proper look.

Post by **sii803** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 3:28 am

A tip I was given for cleaning contcts is to use an eraser. Do you know the old blue and red ones? I havent seen one for sale recently but apparently the red end is great for cleaning contacts and is less damagaing than emery and leaves the surface in a better condition.

Cheers,
Matt

Post by **alanworland** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:19 am

Removed switch tonight - so simple, only took 10 mins, try doing that on a 'modern' car!
Anyway, I unsoldered the nut on the rear and found the pin Mike spoke about to seperate the switch from the lock barrel (if you want to change the switch) I drilled out the hollow rivets and took the switch apart to reveal quite badly worn switch contacts. I am considering removing the contacts and turning up a pair of replacements - the moving contact seems in reasonable order its the fixed ones, one in particular, which have suffered most.
I have in the past cleaned contact with a fibreglass pen as used for cleaning printed circuit board connectors, and found them very effective but these contacts are beyond cleaning!
A quick google on the Lucas number (S45) seems to suggest that it could be the same switch as used on a Royal Enfield motorcycle!
Still I suppose its not bad going for a 56 year old switch!

Post by **alanworland** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:12 pm

I ended up making new stationary contacts for the switch which now has 2BA brass studs on the back, it seems to have a nice 'clicky' action with very low resistance across the terminals.
However! I was carefull to put it all back together as it came apart but the switch will turn right round (360 deg) I have never had occasion to turn the key past the 90 deg 'switch on' position and back again for off so I have never noticed, but it does turn right round!
Has anybody else noticed/found this out? as there is nothing inside to prevent it.
The switch is dated November 1952

Post by **mike.perry** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:01 pm

My ignition switch only rotates 45 deg. clockwise.
I don't think I have a spare to play around with.

Post by **alanworland** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:13 pm

I have another dated September 1961 which only turns 90 deg which although it is the 'same switch' it is without the soldered on nut which holds the switch centre into the switch body.

Post by **alanworland** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 8:17 pm

Put the 'reconditioned' switch back in today, which operates with a real click and feels very positive, seems good so far!
Still turns through 360 deg though!

Post by **Onne** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:39 am

Mine only does 90 degrees. That is in the lowlight and the Series II

Post by **alanworland** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 1:45 pm

If anybody had asked me I would have said it turned 90 deg, its not till I put it back together that I discovered it went right round!
Cant remember anything inside to stop it turning once it was 'on'
Strange.