broken switch

[briandr]

Hi, want to replace old 1964 key switch two pin with new style plus new solenoid switch , car is fitted with alternator so negative earth .Do I have to fit another wire to do so ,think white with red tracer ,been told it should be resistor wire is that correct?

[simmitc]

You will need the extra wire from the switch to the solenoid, just white/red 28/0.30 25 amp should be ideal. No idea what "resistor wire" is - all wire has resistance.

[bmcecosse]

Yes -you will need a new wire from the new switch to the solenoid..... Negative earth has no effect on any of this - and CERTAINLY NOT a resistor wire ! Where do you hear such nonsense????

[briandr]

Hi thanks for info , been told resistor wire needed because there was no voltage stabilizer in that circuit ,you say its not nessacary thanks

[bmcecosse]

What has a voltage sabilizer got to do with it.......? This is amazing... Who ever is telling you these stories.......steer a wide berth in future!
Later Minis (and some other Leyland cars - but never the Minor) ran a 'ballast' ignition circuit, where indeed a special white/yellow (usually...) resistor wire is used to feed the coil with ~ 9 volts during normal running. It is a low impedance coil, designed to run on 9 volts... . During starting, the resistor wire is by-passed, to feed full battery volts (which will have dropped to maybe 9 or 10 volts due to the starter current draw) straight to the coil. So there is a better spark and faster starting. This may be where some of the confusion comes from.... The 'voltage stabiizer' is mounted on the back of the black faced speedo and supplies a simulated reduced voltage to the fuel gauge, which is a 'hot wire' instrument. Nothing to do with Ignition switches..... If your car doesn't have a black speedo, it won't have (or need) a stabilizer.

[briandr]

Hi thanks for info the friend is a Metro man and probably confused .Will follow your advice thanks

[bmcecosse]

Any 'Metro' owner is bound to be confused......take pity on him.....