The 'E' Type Forum

Hi All,
Everyday is different with an E type, yesterday lovely drive out to Wootton Rivers, this morning wanted to move the car, key disengaged the steering lock but would not turn enough to switch on the ignition let alone to the start position. I'm guessing that the 50 year old tumblers have dropped and got stuck. Any ideas? can the lock barrel be replaced or am I looking at a replacement unit if available.

Hi Chris....I did have the same thing happen to mind quite a while ago.....fortunatly a squirt of WD sorted it..Steve

FWIW the S2 ignition switches are NLA.

If you find a source please let me know.

I was able to use an ignition barrel from an XJ6 to make up a new steering lock/ignition switch. It'll mean some modifications to the wiring out of the barrel, but do-able. Might be worth searching for one on fleabay

Geoff

Thanks Gentlemen.

I'll look for an early XJ6 lock, I assume I just drill out the 2 grub screws holding the lock barrel in?

Hi Chris...befor you get the drill out just remove the electrical switch at the rear...a small screw holds it in.....it could be the internals of the electrical parts jamed stopping the key turning...a long shot but worth trying first....Steve

Chris, be aware the XJ6 column lock is a different length to the E Type one. My E Type key lock had been abused and I was able to transfer the key lock from the XJ6 unit. Also I needed a new switch part so have used that as well to make a complete new unit to fit an E.
As Steve says you could just use the switch part and you might be able to free up the old part. Before you use the XJ6 switch do a comprehensive check of the wiring at each position. There are differences to the E switch. Make up a table of which connects to which, then think of how you may have to adapt wiring as needed.
Mine wasn’t a direct swap.

Geoff

I note there's an S2 Britax switch on Ebay at the moment.

That's item number 123740877451

Thanks Geoff, Richard for your posts, I'd seen the auction item too but much appreciate your help. In the end I adapted a Britax Series 3 switch and lock (with ac) which I'd picked up years ago and fitted perfectly.

For reference the wiring to the series 3 switch was feed from battery and to starter relay terminal 30 (white/brown), starter terminal 50 (white/yellow), ignition coil 15/54 (white).

Just to close this item.

I disassembled the stuck lock, see attached photos show the cause of the stuckness was the small sprung loaded catch support which had broken off and jambed the barrel and can be seen on the lower lefthand .


The actual key barrel was working fine (until I drilled 2 holes in it to remove the grub screws).