loose ignition switch

Post by **Linda** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 6:30 pm

I have a loose ignition switch in my car. I have to reach behind the switch and push the plug a bit and then the car fires right up. Otherwise it is completely dead. I have cleaned off the prongs so the white connector plug fits snugly, but the problem is the whole assembly is a little wobbly, but only from the back, the front of the switch is OK. I can't see if there are screws under there to tighten it. Any thoughts on how to fix it?
Thanks in advance,
Linda
68 1600

TR · Post by TR » Sat Mar 25, 2006 10:38 pm

Most likely the little stamps that hold the terminals in place have become loose. You could try restamping or heavy solder...

A replacement is typically easy to find, too...

Post by **Linda** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 12:32 am

TR,
The terminals that the plug connects to aren't loose, rather the whole thing is loose, even after the plug is firmly attached....as if it needs to be tightened down somehow. With finger pressure on the plug pushing toward the left side of the car it starts..no pressure, no start. The good news is that since I figured it out it starts every time

Linda

TR · Post by TR » Sun Mar 26, 2006 6:17 pm

Interesting...Have you stuck your head up under there to take a look? A little flashlight comes in very handy.

If I remember correctly, the electrical portion of the late ignition switch screws to the back of the keyed portion, so maybe you have a screw loose?

TR

jhdj250 · Post by **jhdj250** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 7:38 pm

TR wrote: so maybe you have a screw loose?

TR

TR, I think you just told a woman she has a screw loose. You must be braver than I.

Actually he's probably right.

Post by **Linda** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 8:56 pm

JHDJ,
Actually I was going to admit that I DO have a screw loose when I read that...you'd have to with these cars! But then I realized y'all probably knew that already anyway!

TR, you must like to live dangerously!

thanks for the help, guys..

Linda
68 1600

TR · Post by TR » Sun Mar 26, 2006 10:38 pm

Was that it? Did you find it? Did you have a screw loose?

Maybe not dangerously, but I do enjoy the funnier side of life! TR

Post by **dbrick** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:43 pm

My first Roadster did that exact same thing. I considered it an antitheft device.
BTW, Linda I got the starter kill/horn thing worked out, I think I can make it a plug in kit...no wires to cut..More to come

Post by **Linda** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 1:43 am

Well I couldn't find the loose screw on the ignition so I did what lots of people do, which is move on to the next problem. In this case, the turn signals not working (see other post). Got another turn signal flasher, cheap, at Autozone plugged in the 2 wires just like on the old one, and what do you know, blinkies! This is easier than cooking! Unfortunately the front turn signals still don't work, so more troubleshooting needed.
I will return to the ignition issue later, as , maybe like bread dough, it needs to rest

Dave, I think the kill switch, horn, no cut plug-in gizmo will be a winner, as I am sure I am not the only electronically challenged Roadster owner. So, sign me up, I'll be your first customer, and happily too

Linda
68 1600

Post by **dbrick** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:15 pm

OK, I just have to call Dean and get the right plugs and terminals. Won't be too soon, couple weeks. Crazy busy latley, have to install a burglar alarm in my house, going on vacation and my daughter is paranoid to stay in the house alone, then the 100 amp 240 volt main breaker on my house circuit breaker box went bad and fried a 4 gauge 240v wire, BIG voltage scary stuff. My wife, also a Linda, was standing by with a 2x4 to knock me off the wire just in case. (I think she was hoping to use it).

Thank God I'll be fishing in South Florida by Friday lunchtime.
But there's this roadster for sale in Central Florida, no rust........Not too long a drive....I'm just going to look......Really!!!