Morris Minor Owners Club

I need to replace the ignition barrel.
How do I get to it?

with difficulty i think! i would like to know this too, because mine comes away from the dashboard, and its really annoying

The Ignition barrel comes out of the ignition switch. The ignition switch on a later 1098cc Minors are held to the dash with a circular smooth bodied nut which needs to be undone. On other minors and very early 1098's the ignition if located in the same place but is held inplace in the dash by two screws that are located under the dash next to that wierd little lighting switch. Once the fixtures are undone you have to take one of the cardboard glove boxes out to get to it(easier to do the drivers side without the door on the later models).

There is usually a nut on the back of the barrels on the late ones? I havn't a clue. All I know is there isn't a nut on the back of the earlier ones that are held in by two screws.

Hello P & D,
if it is the barrel you wish to change, most door locks and ignition switches have the lock barrel held in by a small (1\16" dia) brass pin which you need to tap out, then the barrel will come out from the body.
It used to be a well known bodge, if you didn't have the right key, using any key of the correct series, insert it in the barrel and file down the protruding flat pins. That key will now work that lock.

Alec

It used to be a well known bodge, if you didn't have the right key, using any key of the correct series, insert it in the barrel and file down the protruding flat pins. That key will now work that lock.

Yes - especially if you had 1 non matching lock. (I did it once :shy: but I was young and foolish)
It is a real bodge though especially as there are plenty of places that will rebuild a lock to fit your key and vice versa - quite resonably priced.

a filling cabinet key works in my drivers door....

Nice one Matt ;-) u gonna publish the address too?

I have the thing out now. It was a case of removing the glove boxes to get the thing rotated and the wires off. Now I have found that the barrel I was sold by a well known parts supplier is not compatible with the switch unit. Anyhow on closer inspection I have noticed the ignition key is rather worn and I have tried another key and it works. This will do for the mean time but I'll be ordering a new one using the number stamped on the front of the barrel.
Thanks for the suggestions people.

no.... and Cam couldn't find it when he looked online either

And don't forget Ray, that your door key also fits Jane's ignition and starts the car! especially when it is in gear and my head is under the rear!! (remember chastsworth house???)

ppl should be more wary of parking in gear...

Well Cam I am sure next time you are under a car you will make sure that the person in the driving seat knows how to check a car is in neutral before starting it

I wasn't trying to start it - I was just seeing if the key worked (Cam's suggestion). I was a little surprised when it did

I was a little surprised when it did

Not half as surprised as I was!!!

He He (whats wrong with parking in gear??? i do it.....)

I do it, but only since my handbrake seized on and my rear cylinders locked solid...

Don't put her in the garage with the handbrake on - just leave her in gear. Haven't tried to start her, and roared into the utility room either, so I think I've got the hang of it!!