The 'E' Type Forum

I’ve a 1968 series 1.5 which I’m converting from LHD. As a result it has the basic column mounted key/ starter as opposed to the RHD series 1.5 which has the push button starter. My switch doesn’t have the column lock. can anyone tell me how this switch works. There are only 2 wires, brown live from the post by the 4tr unit and a white with pink stripe to the starter. The key has 3 positions, the central position seems to be “off”, a turn to the left position does nothing, a turn to the right makes lighting, indicators etc live and I hear the alternator relay click. How should this switch be wired ( which poles?) and how does it operate ( is it turn the key or push and turn or what?)

Hi Alan,

I’m doing one of these right now. There should be four wires connected to the ignition switch, so it sounds like you are missing two. Your white/pink sounds like it could be a faded white/yellow??

Oh, and the operation is just like a traditional key starter - first cw turn powers ignition and all circuits, second cw has a spring return and operates the starter.

Not sure what the ccw turn does. Might be optional accessory circuit??

The small buff "Operating, Maintenance & Service Handbook" has the operation of the ignition/starter switch and wireing diagram....essential in my opinion if you working on an E type......Steve

Thanks Simon and Steve, my ignition switch only had the two wires, brown and white with pink stripe originally and I drew a diagram of the connection positions but my sketch wasn’t very clear. It’s a late series 1.5 car, originally LHD. I bought a complete new loom for RHD and there are no other wires at the switch position so I’m sure it’s a two wire switch.
I’ve ordered the 4.2 operation, service and maintenance manual as suggested and hope it covers series 1.5.
Thanks for input once again.

What do you mean only had 2 wires originally......when you got it or from the factory when built.......was this car a runner when you got it?..........dont think iv seen a diagram with only 2 wires on the ignition switch..........the service manual has wireing diagrams to cover chassis numbers.....have you looked that up.....i would suggest there should be at least 3 wires.....one main live......then one for ignition etc then one to start.......there is a 68 wireing diagram showing a brown a white & a white/red........Steve

I’ve still got an original factory steering column and ignition switch assembly from a 1968 S1.5 LHD. I’ll dig it out this afternoon and report back.

The CCW turn of the switch is definitely for the accessory circuit - at least it is on mine.
I also have more than 2 wires - at least 3 maybe 4. May have a look later

Tim

Won't explain a 2 wire IGN SW, but here are a couple of extracts from the blue cover Handbook E145 Title "4.2 'E' TYPE & 2+2 (LEFT-HAND DRIVE CARS ONLY)".



Open this one in a new tab.




So as built it appears it should have had 3 wires from the switch for a manual gearbox.

The only 2 wire switch I have heard of was used when the steering lock was specified as an extra but that I think was with the earlier style dash mounted start button where the dash key switch, although still fitted, had no function.

Heronscourt wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 28, 2022 3:26 pm

I bought a complete new loom for RHD and there are no other wires at the switch position so I’m sure it’s a two wire switch.

If you've got a 1.5 I don't think you would have a starter button on the dash. Mine started off the key.

Brown is power from the battery. White red goes to the starter solenoid. That should go on the final sprung position on the switch.

I would have thought that there must be at least one plain white wire (switched unfused power) going from the ignition switch to the fusebox. And another white wire to the coil.

Otherwise there's no power going to anything.

You may have the wrong loom.

I've wired in a white wire in accordance with the wiring diagram but still don't get power to the solenoid so I'm not sure the switch is working. All wiring tests out with continuity. The key has 3 positions. The central position is " off " a single turn to the left has no effect. A single turn to the right makes the system live, ie power to lights instruments, indicators, fan etc and I hear the alternator relay clicking but no power to solenoid. The switch does not appear to be spring loaded. What can I have got wrong, is it a switch problem?

Ok, I’ve had a look at the original column/switch assembly that came off the car that I've currently got in the workshop. From the witness marks, it looks like it is missing one of the two brown wires, but it still has the white and white/red wires attached.

So, as already mentioned correctly in previous posts, there should be a brown wire coming directly from the battery post to the switch, and the second brown (piggy-backed at the switch) from the switch to the starter solenoid. The white goes to the fuse board to power all white switched circuits and the white/red to the starter solenoid to activate it and send power to the starter.

Alan....you havent answered my question from my posts above...if you want help then you need to help us understand whats going on......Steve

Apologies for lack of response Steve, the car was together and just about a runner when I got it but that was many years ago. Not long after I started strip down I had a prolonged period of serious illness preventing progress for years. I'd made good sketches of critical wiring points and copious notes but somehow had missed the white wire to the switch. Additionally the key switch wasn't operating correctly. Liberal use of electrical contact cleaner finally got it working correctly and I now get power to the solenoid. Time to put fluids in and try to start up.
Thanks to everyone for suggestions
Alan

Having sorted the switch problem I think I’ve got wrong connections at the solenoid and starter motor. Unfortunately my badly faded and discoloured sketch isn’t much help. I have the heavy cable from the post by the 4tr unit connected to the top pole of the solenoid. I also appear to have an earth wire from the solenoid to a tag on the motor. I think the white with red stripe wire connects to the solenoid but can’t find a tag to accept it but it may be on he far edge of the solenoid which is almost impossible see. Are these wires the only ones to connect to the starter and solenoid. Is the black wire an earth and what are its attachment points

Have a look here..its should explain the connections...Steve https://forums.jag-lovers.com/t/66-fhc- ... ect/353619

Thanks Steve, David's clearly annotated photo is very helpful. My only follow up query is that the description is for a car with a starter relay and the White/Red wire to tag F is from the relay. My car doesn't have a relay, the White/Red wire is direct from the ignition switch. Am I correct in assuming that this wire provides the same function and is stil connected to tag F?

Thanks once again for your help
Alan

Hi Alan...refer to the diagram posted above for the ignition system without a starter relay. ....i dont want to tell you yes or no as getting the wireing wrong on the starter circuit can cause burnt out wires....so i refer you to diagrams. ..if you dont understand them then maybee a time to call in an auto electrician......personaly i would upgrade to a starter relay......Steve

Thanks Steve. I found the correct spade for the white/red wire, connected it, moved the main cable to the correct pole and hey presto the starter cranks the engine over. Getting closer to start up but lots of other stuff to do.