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ignition switch

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ignition switch
#1
9620 Avatar
9620 DAVE & REE's .
jacksonville, FL, USA   USA
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1979 MG MGB "Lil' Red"
I'm 6 months into my first mgb(1979) ownership. got it to weekend driver status and have gotten plenty of help from older owners here. the key goes into the ignition sw with difficulty and removal is the same. question: should I replace just the sw or the whole sw/lock assembly. is this an unusual or common problem. thanks in advance for any advice or experience with this issue

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Re: ignition switch
#2
joron Avatar
joron Silver Member Michel Joron
Roxboro, QC, Canada   CAN
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1977 MG MGB "Victoria"
2018 Jaguar XE "Meghan"
Personnally I will change the switch/lock. It did happen to me with my first MGB and I needed to change the switch with the key was still inserted.


1977 MGB Red 'Victoria' and 2018 Jaguar XE 'Meghan'
All Classics:
Married, 2 children, MG MGB May to December, Jaguar the rest of the year.

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Re: ignition switch
#3
Esca69 Avatar
Esca69 Dennis Link
Vallejo, CA, USA   USA
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1972 MG MGB
None of the steering wheel locks that I've seen are what I call smooth compared to other non English cars. If it were me and it goes in and out I'd lube it and not worry but if you want to change it it's an easy replacement.

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Re: ignition switch
#4
ErnieY Avatar
ErnieY Ernie Y
Albatera, Alicante, Spain   ESP
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1976 MG MGB GT
In reply to # 2664017 by Esca69 but if you want to change it it's an easy replacement.
Depends on whether the shear bolts have been sheared or not !

If they have then it's very likely going to be a steering column out of the car job.

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Re: ignition switch
#5
badams500 Avatar
badams500 Bruce Adams
Springfield, Virginia, USA   USA
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1980 MG MGB
Hi Dave:

My experience is same as Dennis'. Original lock cylinder was sticky. First tried a replacement cylinder only and then a complete switch and new keys. Problem is, if anything, worse now.

I drilled out the shear bolts on an '80 without much trouble with column in place, but it took hours to get the steering wheel loose.


1980 MGB
Dual HS-4s with K&N air filters
10-circuit blade type fuse panel
Schlemmer distributor with Pertronix ignition
Energy Suspension poly bushings
Black Label OD transmission
Mr. Mike's Fiero seats
Delta D9 cam
12H2923 head with dual springs

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Re: ignition switch
#6
ErnieY Avatar
ErnieY Ernie Y
Albatera, Alicante, Spain   ESP
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1976 MG MGB GT
You do not have to remove the steering wheel to change the ignition switch !

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Re: ignition switch
#7
badams500 Avatar
badams500 Bruce Adams
Springfield, Virginia, USA   USA
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1980 MG MGB
I've had several people point that out to me, both before and after installing the switch. On my car, even after removing the wheel, it was necessary to loosen the column bolts to drop the column a bit to remove the cowl. I guess you're saying that you can flex the cowl enough to slip the edge under the rim of the steering wheel?

That certainly would have been easier than making up the contraption I did to pull the wheel without mounts for a puller.


1980 MGB
Dual HS-4s with K&N air filters
10-circuit blade type fuse panel
Schlemmer distributor with Pertronix ignition
Energy Suspension poly bushings
Black Label OD transmission
Mr. Mike's Fiero seats
Delta D9 cam
12H2923 head with dual springs

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Re: ignition switch
#8
ErnieY Avatar
ErnieY Ernie Y
Albatera, Alicante, Spain   ESP
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1976 MG MGB GT
In reply to # 2664413 by badams500 I guess you're saying that you can flex the cowl enough to slip the edge under the rim of the steering wheel?
You got it winking smiley

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Re: ignition switch
#9
RollyTG Avatar
RollyTG Gold Member Roland G
Columbia, SC, USA   USA
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1965 Jaguar 3.8S "Big Blue"
1974 MG MGB MkIII "Bloody Mary"
I replaced my steering lock/ignition switch just a few days ago. It is probably easier if you drop the column down but I managed it without doing so. Following advice from fellow members I took out the shear bolts by cutting a slot in the top with a cutting disc on my drill. Doesn't matter if you cut the lock clamp piece, because you throw that away. Make a good deep cut and get a good, big screwdriver on and it should come out easily. Getting the cowl off and back on again requires a fair bit of juggling. It might look impossible but persist. I held the two halves together with tape to make putting the screws in easier. Mine ignition/lock came from the B-Hive. Works great. You don't have to shear off the bolts, the cowl fits over them OK.

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Re: ignition switch
#10
Steve D. Avatar
Steve D. Stephen Donnelly
Port Isabel, TX, USA   USA
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1955 Chevrolet 3100
1972 MG MGB
2001 Honda MC VT750CD
The job is not that hard. I did take off my steering wheel, but it just was a matter of taking off 6 bolts and left the hub on. The cowl was flexible enough to remove without disturbing the column. To remove the bolts use a Dremel with a cutting disc and cut some slots into the bolts and use a screwdriver and the bolts will just unscrew. I may not have had to remove the wheel, but it does give you more to work. Remove the switch, but leave the wires connected. Replace the new switch and then switch wires one at a time. It is not that hard.


Attachments:
wheel 003.JPG    43.5 KB
wheel 003.JPG

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Re: ignition switch
#11
nickj Avatar
nickj Nick Jenkins
Novato, Marin Co, CA, USA   USA
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1970 MG MGB GT
1972 MG MGB
I wouldn't replace anythng until the switch breaks. My brand new switch has the same problem with getting the key in and out.

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Re: ignition switch
#12
rocannon Avatar
rocannon Gold Member rocannon L
Comanche County, OK, USA   USA
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1967 MG MGB GT "GT From Hell"
My first new switch/lock was a generic. Key was hard to get in/out from very beginning; switch broke apart a few months later.

I bought a new Lucas brand switch/lock. Looks just like the generic except for Lucas marking. But, it works much, much better - key very smooth and I can feel the various detents as I rotate the key.

Spend the extra few buck and get the Lucas.


Pogo is right.
—————————————————————-
The power of reasons is an illusion. The belief will not change when the reasons are defeated. The causality is reversed. People believe the reasons because they believe in the conclusion.

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