The 'E' Type Forum

Hi Everyone

My wife, Jane, and I have recently purchased a 1969 S2 FHC who we have christened Audrey after the other stylish, iconic beauty of the 60s - Breakfast at Tiffanys was released in 1961.

Here she is:



I have to confess that I know very little about cars but have always had a thing for E-Types and am keen to learn even if it's just the basics. So to start with I'm hoping that you'll be able to help me with a couple of simple improvements as follows:

I'd like to replace the heater and choke decals but can't work out how to get the old ones off. You'll see from the photo below that someone has tried in the past hence all the scratches around the pins:



My second question is to do with the headlamp dip switch which I want to replace as the toggle has snapped off the original one. I have bought a replacement from SNG but it only has three terminals whereas the old one has four. The guy at SNG said that I need a piggy back terminal but I don't know which wires to connect together and which terminals to use on the new switch. Here are pictures of the old and new switches:





One final question for now (I'm sure that there will be many more in time) - any ideas where I can get a spare ignition key cut as I haven't been able to find anyone who stocks the blanks.

Thanks for your help and to finish here's a picture of Jane and Audrey at our first outing which was to this year's Goodwood Revival.

Ian, welcome to the forum, there'll be lots of people here to help.

Can't help regarding the switches, but I have been able to get my ignition key copied. Not at the usual shoe repairs and key cutting, but strangely enough at just such a place. Went to half a dozen before finding a small independent who had all my keys, ignition, door and petrol cap.
So a little hunting should give you some success. Major locksmiths could help, but unless they have a blank they'll complain of having to buy 50 to cut one or two for you. I did find suppliers of blanks on the internet, which a bit of searching might help.
If you get stuck let me know and I could try that place again and buy a blank or two and send them to you.

All the best
Geoff

Nice set of wheels! :D

You should be able to get the ignition key cut at any branch of Timpson's. They won't carry the blanks in store, but if you take your original in they can match it to their catalogue and then usually get the blanks in within 3-4 days.

Hi Ian.....had my spares cut from a photo I sent off with an email cant remember who I used but 2mins on ebay found this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Jagua ... 1e811eb5fc hope it helps Steve

Hi Ian, how about this:

Search on Keytrader.co.uk for FOT2, is that the same as yours?

Thanks for the help guys. I did try Timpsons with no luck.

Geoff the blank on key trader looks the same as mine so I'll order one and get it cut locally.

Thanks again

Ian

Ian - an alternative might well be at the National Classic car event at the NEC this coming weekend - there will be a couple of places doing keys and key cutting - but there was also a chap last year doing locks and keys - able to supply a complete set of locks to just about any vehicle, all matched to the same key. Not suggesting you want to go so far as to replace every lock - but he was very knowledgeable....

Welcome, by the way!

I think SC Spares at Gatwick can do them - I have one of their catalogues and they list all the key numbers and key shapes - I would point out however that I have not used them (apart to buy a 'Castrol' mug from them at Stoneleigh!)

welcome Ian,
nice pics. the forum has lots of info and if you do a search, you can find lots of related information.
like keys for example..
viewtopic.php?t=4382&highlight=keys

Hi Ian,
For your query on the dip/main switch, you can check the S2 wiring diagram (there's a link to a version in colour in the knowledge base on this forum), but you should find the 4 wires to the dip/main selector switch will be;

blue/yellow incoming from the headlamp flasher switch
blue/yellow providing power to the main beams via fuse no.1
blue/green providing power to the dip beams via fuse no.2
blue, delivering 12V to the switch from the main lighting switch.

So you need to connect the two blue/yellows to one terminal, the blue/green to the other outgoing terminal, and the blue to the common terminal.

Easiest way to check which of the 3 terminals on the switch is which is with a multimeter;

with the switch in the "dip" position, the terminal with no continuity to either of the other pins is the outgoing for the main beams and the blue/yellows should go on there

with the switch in the "main" position, the terminal with no continuity to either of the others is the outgoing for the dip beams and the blue/green goes there

the remaining terminal is the common and the blue goes there.

Hope this helps and good luck with the car - she looks nice.

Thank you all for the warm welcome and very helpful advice.

I think that I have sorted the spare key and I will follow John's comprehensive instructions which are much appreciated.

I wonder if anyone is able to help with how to remove the choke and heater decals. I'm hoping that it doesn't entail removing the dashboard?

Ian