Morris Minor Owners Club

This follows on from posts in "Other", regarding the screen wash pump and a suggestion to use a light switch for the wipers. The first click would be wipers, and the second click wipers with the washer pump.

I thought it might be possible to modify the light switch, so that the second click didn't lock, but returned to first-click position when the finger pressure was removed.

So, off to the workshop to investigate. I discovered that the two switch body parts are not riveted together, and can be prised apart quite easily with care. Easy to put back together, also. I met four little springs, which love to travel without permission once the fiddling about begins.

Regarding the modification - no way!

The mechanism looks like it wouldn't last five minutes, but here we are 43 years on....... ! Amazing really! Not a sign of any wear whatsoever! Impossible to even vaguely estimate how many times this switch has been clicked. Has anyone ever had a problem with one of these? I haven't, and I've owned a few Moggies. I don't recommend having a look yourselves, but it is of a very simple yet clever design.

I wonder if any of the parts companies list any of these parts. I doubt it, as I suppose you'd just buy a full switch. It does seem though that it was designed to be serviceable, in the way the two parts of the body can be safely prised apart and be easily re-assembled. One for the historians, perhaps.

The first picture shows the switch in the 'off' position - there is a second 'gizmo', removed here for clarity. Both are made of plastic. The second picture shows the same 'gizmo' flicked into 'sidelights on' position. The 'gizmo' has a protruding tab at the bottom, which sits in a recess at the end of the switch lever. The whole 'gizmo' rises as it is pushed from below by the lever, and flips downwards as the tab passes to the other side of the springs, making a contact inside the other part of the switch body. The second click does the same with the second 'gizmo', to connect the headlamps. The springs, though small, are quite stiff, giving that very positive 'click' when you use the switch.
The piece of copper on top of the 'gizmo' is held loosely on a pin sticking out of the top of the 'gizmo'.

So, modifiable? Not as I can see. Serviceable? Definitely. In the event of the tab at the bottom of the 'gizmo' being worn and too short, you wouldn't have to be a genius to make a new plastic 'gizmo'. A hot panel pin held with pliers and pushed into the plastic would hold the copper piece on the top. Two little arms to hold the springs on the top sides of the 'gizmo' would need filing to shape, and the bottom tab needs to be just about exactly the right length.

Perhaps someone has a better name for the 'gizmo'? Flipper?<br><br><br><br>

See my new post on the washer thread.
These switches do seem to be very reliable and the operation still feels as crisp as when they were new. There is also a wide range of switch combinations depending which terminals you connect. I don't know how much they cost but I bet that they are quite expensive

I have just made some enquiries. The Electrical Parts Company stock the spring loaded switches at £22.50 each

Thanks...you beat me to it! I had a bit of work to do yesterday.

Well, I wonder if the quality is the same ie it could still be clicking on like new after nearly half a century?

I think the price is okay, because driving would be safer when you can just give the one quick press and then forget it. Could save on winter screen wash as well, as I wrote, due to the greater control. Sometimes you only need a little squirt.

I presume the lever is of the same style. I shall ask the supplier you quoted.

I am glad something came of this topic.....I started it for fun initially, then I realised that the standard switch can be repaired with a little time and effort. Now we all know about the spring switch' option.

Thanks again!

I take the screen wash system very seriously, as should every motorist. The Moggie system is rather basic compared to those on newer cars, so any improvement to it must be a good thing. Of course, it may not be for those wanting a totally original Minor. But as it's a Minor part, albeit for the GPO van, maybe some of those would consider the compromise.

The switch design is identical to the other switches. If you buy one ask if they have a wiring diagram to show the different ways of wiring components up to the different terminals. You can end up with off on on, on off on, on on off etc, etc depending on which terminals you connect.
When you ditch the manual screen washer pump you can use the hole for the push button hazard warning light switch.

Have you bought the switch yet?

No, not yet. It's going to be a while before I'm back on the (wrong side of the) road here in Poland. I may need a few things, so I'll wait until I know what I need and buy things together to simplify postage.

Wow, this is scary stuff! I just posted a question about removing the knob from the headlight switch, as mine appears to be the only one in history to play up, then saw this wonderful thread! Now I have made Molly keyless, ie remote central deadlocks and no ignition switch function (just the immobiliser switch!) I have been pondering what to do about a washer switch- I have a neat Metro washer bottle/pump under the bonnet- and the thought of combining with the wiper switch hadn't come along yet!
I guess the MOT don't stipulate the switch has to be momentary?

I'm soo chuffed with the remote locking that I may share some pictures of it if you ask nicely

Pretty please?

New topic though....General Discussion?

Mick, what year is that switch from? It doesn't look anything like the one in our '61 MM.

It's from a "World Cup" Moggie.....1966 . Your car probably has the push-pull Bakelite type. I've got one of these, but I've never been inside it - don't tempt me!