Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing steering lock switch

1989 +4 M16 Rover engine.

Having problems with intermittent starting; works well for days, then click-click.

New battery, starter and solenoid, alternator, re earthed all lead to chassis etc.

Thinking its starter column switch/steering lock.

Any suggestions where I can buy new one would be gratefully received.

Hi,
You can try to clean up the plug of the wire on the solenoid of the starter motor (both plug on the solenoid and on the wire). If the contact is bad (corroded or floating) it give just enough power to move the solenoid plunger until it hitting the shif lever and "click" but not enough to engage the shift lever and activate the starter motor). It solve the same kind of issue several times on friend old timers.
Sorry if I am not using the correct technical wording but English is not my mother language 🤗

Thanks Dada - all suggestions gratefully received. I'll give it a try

ps - do not feel necessary to apologise for ''poor'' English - its better than my Flemish/French!!

In the history of my Plus m16 the steering lock has been replaced and it is the same as an MGB. So, if required, a new lock/switch should be available via spares for MGB'S.

Same as mgb but a bugger to fit.
3"angle grinder the old one off carefully, remove the speedo from the dash to assist fitting the new one.
About x2 hrs of swearing

The old switch is on the floor on the far right at the foot of the stairs !

No you don't need the rubber mallet

I've removed the steering lock from the column by using a sharp centre punch to get the remains of the shear bolts moving, then drilling with a left hand drill to remove the remains of the bolt.

On some if the steering locks, you don't even need to remove the lock as there is a small grub screw, which when removed,enables you to remove the ignition switch assembly.

Arwyn

Removed end electrical portion by removing small grub screw.

Found identical part - even wire colours same - from Auto Electric Supplies ltd; £15 plus postage; brilliant service plus supplied catalogue which lists and pictures just about everything electrical

tel 01584 819552

Mr Rutter wants £110 for complete unit!!!!

Hi Ray, just a quickie - could you tell me what the Lucas/Auto Electric Supplies reference n° is, my ignition switch (which I'm pretty sure is the same) is also starting to give up the ghost...

Many thanks,

Chris

When you say ignition switch, do you mean ignition barrel and the whole unit? I need one for my car and If Auto Electric can do the same unit for that price, that's a great link.

ChrisR part nr is SSB307 - ignition switch. Look on their web page - thats where I first saw it.

Culminator - its the electrical connections section of the ignition switch - located at the back of the steering lock/ignition switch. You remove the ignition part by removing a tiny grub screw and gently pulling out the wires/switch assembly. No need to remove steering lock complete to get this out.