Morris Minor Owners Club

I can find no trace of how to remove the ignition switch in the three manuals I have! Also no indication how to remove the speedo which presumably is the key to the job. I have a 1969 saloon. Any assistance will be gratefully received.

Isn't there a bezel/ring around the front of the switch that just unscrews?There are cutouts in opposite sides of it.

Remove the speedo by loosening two screws - one each side - through holes in the glovebox liners.. DISCONNECT the battery first! Do you have the proper BMC/Leyland Workshop Manual? If not - Google for it...free download is out there.....

I do have among the manuals an official BMC loose leaf manual. It does mention the ignition switch and how to remove it. It is just getting to the switch that is the problem. I'm assuming that with the speedo out all will be revealed. Tomorrow I will loosen the screws and proceed and thank you for your comment in this respect to just loosen them.

I've just had my switch out to replace the lock barrel - it's a 1957 4door so not sure if it's the same but this is what I did:
The switch is actually held on by two bolts underneath the dash (5/16" I think) but you do indeed need the speedo out to remove the switch through the speedo aperture. Now, as suggested above there are two small holes in each glove box that supposedly allow access to the speedo retaining screws however I found it much easier to actually remove the glove box liners - they are only held in with the glove box door hinge screws.

The speedo retaining screws only need to be loosened, not fully removed. The speedo should then pull forwards and out. If there isn't much slack you might have to unscrew the speedo cable from the back of the unit. You will then have easy access to the ignition switch. There should only be three wires going to it and these are just held to the switch with grub screws.

When you refit the speedo make sure you tighten the retaining screws fully as these also provide the earth for the warning lights and panel lights! (Found this out after a few hours of dispair!)

Hope that helps.

greg I think you are getting mixed up with the speeo light switch
its easier to pull the speed forward and the ignition has a bezel you unscrew

No, I'm not getting mixed up - my ignition switch definitely does NOT have a screw off bezel and is held to a bracket which is bolted with two bolts under the dash as I stated in my post. I did say my car was a 1957 and I'm not sure it is the same as the original posters vehicle - I merely explained the procedure I carried out to remove my ignition switch in the hope it may be of some help?

ah you have a pull start to operate the starter motor
sorry missed the fact you said 57 car
late cars have the key start combined in the ignition switch

Hi. Thanks for all the input. In the end I found it easiest to remove the glove box liner. There was just enough room to change the leads from old to new. Now I can start the car from inside!