It will not turn off!
Discussion
Well not under the normal route of removeing the key! 
I've been in the process of changing the dash to a stainless one, all going well, fixing a few issues on the way, tonights job was to get the clock bulb working. The buld was fine but no power to it, in the process of finding a live feed I touched something metal to metal and it blew the lights fuse, replaced that and thats when the fun started.
Checked the lights and they were fine, so started the car up to pop it back in the garage. All ok, go to turn it off and the keys in my hand and the car is still ticking over nicely.
Manage to get it to stall and if I disconnect the battery the ignition lights go out, if I reconnect it it looks fine but if I turn the key to 'ignition' the lights come on and again if you remove the keys the lights stay on
So someone please tell me something silly has blown, my uneducated guess would be to try the ignition feed relay.
I've been in the process of changing the dash to a stainless one, all going well, fixing a few issues on the way, tonights job was to get the clock bulb working. The buld was fine but no power to it, in the process of finding a live feed I touched something metal to metal and it blew the lights fuse, replaced that and thats when the fun started.
Checked the lights and they were fine, so started the car up to pop it back in the garage. All ok, go to turn it off and the keys in my hand and the car is still ticking over nicely.
Manage to get it to stall and if I disconnect the battery the ignition lights go out, if I reconnect it it looks fine but if I turn the key to 'ignition' the lights come on and again if you remove the keys the lights stay on
So someone please tell me something silly has blown, my uneducated guess would be to try the ignition feed relay.
spend said:
See if the smaller contacts on the ign relay are live with the key off (in case you've shorted the clock permanent live to the ign circuit), whilst you pull the ign relay.
It's a spare I always keep since it is the only show-stopper in the fusebox BTW.
You're reaching the limits of my electrical know how very quickly. It's a spare I always keep since it is the only show-stopper in the fusebox BTW.
The 'spark' was around the area of the back of the clock......which still appears to be working.
Thinking that a spare isn't a bad idea anywhere, is there a specific thing to ask for down the auto factors without popping the old one on the counter, I need a new horn relay anyway.....
Due to really handy position TVR choose for the fuse box along with an alarm engineers handy positioning of an alarm brain and half a mile of cable, getting my head and arms down there for a look are a none starter......unlike the car which is a non stopper!
Took the relay out and off to the Auto Factors tomorrow......but what's with the disappearing posts?.....
Took the relay out and off to the Auto Factors tomorrow......but what's with the disappearing posts?.....
You may not have screwed anything - that was a symptom that was common in the Vauxhall Cavalier / Astra that lends its ignition switch to Griff / Chims.
The switch wears internally depositing brass filings inside the switch until it gets to the point where it provides enough voltage via the brass dust to keep the engine going.
Someone else also came across this problem recently - I'd bet money its going to start turning up more and more.
The switch wears internally depositing brass filings inside the switch until it gets to the point where it provides enough voltage via the brass dust to keep the engine going.
Someone else also came across this problem recently - I'd bet money its going to start turning up more and more.
A new switch!
If you take the steering column cover off - get the engine running with the key removed and assuming there is a connector in line with the ignition switch disconnect it and see if the engine stops.
Engine stops = possibly the ignition switch.
Engine continues = it's something else
If you take the steering column cover off - get the engine running with the key removed and assuming there is a connector in line with the ignition switch disconnect it and see if the engine stops.
Engine stops = possibly the ignition switch.
Engine continues = it's something else
Well I'm getting to the end of my patience and ability with it now!
Took the relay out to get a new one...failed there, nowhere had one, although the man in the Vauxhall dealer was quite helpfull and even had a worn ignition switch on his desk to show me how they wear.....nothing to do with brass deposits though, more a case of a metal shaft going in a plastic hole.
But anyway, plugged the old one back in and all seemed fine.
ignition turning on and off fine, started it up.....and the problem returns, unplug the relay, push it back in....fine on and off....as long as you don't start it up.
Going to have a look at the ignition switch now but I'm one more evening from putting it all back together and taking it to my friendly indy the annual service/MOT is only 2 weeks away anyway.
Took the relay out to get a new one...failed there, nowhere had one, although the man in the Vauxhall dealer was quite helpfull and even had a worn ignition switch on his desk to show me how they wear.....nothing to do with brass deposits though, more a case of a metal shaft going in a plastic hole.
But anyway, plugged the old one back in and all seemed fine.
ignition turning on and off fine, started it up.....and the problem returns, unplug the relay, push it back in....fine on and off....as long as you don't start it up. Going to have a look at the ignition switch now but I'm one more evening from putting it all back together and taking it to my friendly indy the annual service/MOT is only 2 weeks away anyway.
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