Can't beat a cable tie!
Can't beat a cable tie!
Author
Discussion

RichChef

Original Poster:

91 posts

195 months

Tuesday 6th August 2013
quotequote all
They can get you home when the oddest thing happens.

Today, while nipping out for some petrol, the plastic bit on the back on the ignition bullet popped off. With the metal clips which hold it together gone I was saved by a carefully placed cable tie smile if I can figure it out I'll put the picture on (don't judge the wiring if I do, I.didn't do it!)

Now, what is the ignition unit off? TR7? It's a pre-SD1 setup, early 85.

wedgeinald

1,314 posts

220 months

Tuesday 6th August 2013
quotequote all
I believe its a Ford Capri, but it was used on a lot of cars in that era.

I got one from my local motor factors for about £20 a few years back.

RichChef

Original Poster:

91 posts

195 months

Wednesday 7th August 2013
quotequote all
I have realised it is the ignition switch which plugs into the back of the barrel which is knackered, was used on the US version of the TR7.

Rimmer bros stock them at an eye watering price (particularly if you've just bought new 4 tires), otherwise it seems its an US eBay job.

mrzigazaga

18,814 posts

195 months

Wednesday 7th August 2013
quotequote all
Hi Mate...If its this part you need then you are welcome to try this one..It has bullet connectors on it though..You will need to cut the plug off the old one and put some female bullet connectors on that..Let me know if you want it and i will post it out to you..Cheers...Ziga


adam quantrill

11,679 posts

272 months

Wednesday 7th August 2013
quotequote all
Zig - did you take that picture on the bus?

RCK974X

2,521 posts

179 months

Wednesday 7th August 2013
quotequote all
In case it helps any, I believe ALL the Triumph ignition switches of that era are interchangeable, even though they may have different electrical connectors, they will all fit in the steering lock barrel correctly, and work.

So if you can find any Triumph column in a scrappers - 2000/2500 Saloon, TR7, Dolomite, later Spitfires, later 1300 or 1500 saloons, etc. you'll probably be able to use the switch in the lock barrel.

I think that many of the BL locks and switches are match too, but I'm not as certain as the Triumph ones. I think the Ford ones are different enough that they don't fit, but I don't know if that's true for all Ford models.

So it's definitely worth a trip to a Leyland friendly scrappers, if they still exist anywhere !

Edited by RCK974X on Wednesday 7th August 20:22

andym1603

1,885 posts

202 months

Wednesday 7th August 2013
quotequote all
mrzigazaga said:
Hi Mate...If its this part you need then you are welcome to try this one..It has bullet connectors on it though..You will need to cut the plug off the old one and put some female bullet connectors on that..Let me know if you want it and i will post it out to you..Cheers...Ziga

Not being used to the workings of TVR (maybe some day though). That is very like the rear of an ignition switch that was used
on a Hillman Hunter. I had a 1971 model that had this type.

mrzigazaga

18,814 posts

195 months

Wednesday 7th August 2013
quotequote all
adam quantrill said:
Zig - did you take that picture on the bus?
laugh...You "Bus-tad"

RichChef

Original Poster:

91 posts

195 months

Wednesday 7th August 2013
quotequote all
I found one with next day delivery, tho thanks for the offer zig. Tracing my wires back there are 8 of which all seem to be connected to something in the loom (I'm sure the connections are surplus). As I need the car next week I bit the bullet and got one with matching Lucas ID number, don't fancy driving it with a cable tie holding it together...


Wedg1e

27,038 posts

295 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
mrzigazaga said:
No wonder old cars were easy to pinch... rolleyes

RCK974X

2,521 posts

179 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
Even more so when you remember that the wire colour coding was all the same standard
so even a Muppet of very little brain could remember "der...join the brown to the.....", and the actual ignition switch was held in with two tiny screws (only one on some models) which would easily break, and then all you needed was a screwdriver....

But now I guess it won't be long before there's a phone app called "steal that BMW" or similar, which hacks into the system to do the same thing with the 'secret' keycode .....

I still use my 'crooklock' equivalent when I park the wedge anywhere outside, like at a hotel - nothing like a big lump of steel to discourage the admirer....

Everything changes whilst it stays the same !!

mrzigazaga

18,814 posts

195 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
Wedg1e said:
No wonder old cars were easy to pinch... rolleyes
Very true!..But then you could fit a kill switch or remove the rotor arm each night..Until thieves realised and started carrying rotor arms with them...Or like a few years ago they simply car jacked you..Scary!...Hand on heart i have only ever stolen one thing and that was a fruit salad sweet out of the local newsagents when i was about 8...That was only because they were 4 for a penny...scratchchin..2 for half penny..1 for nothing..Made sense when i was a kid...hehe..