Hi all --

After searching for a replacement ignition switch for my '73 MKIII with no luck (apparently, they're NLA), I decided to fix my existing switch.

Background - I'm rewiring my newly-acquired mini, and the ignition switch ACC/IGN wire (green/white wire in first picture below) has been damaged from rapid smoke release (prince of darkness?)

I found a 'new' 1974 MG Midget ignition switch that looks surprisingly similar to the Mini MKIII switch, so I bought it and swapped out the toasted wiring and parts with the internals from the new switch. After the swap, the switch actually cycles better than before, and has undamaged wires that I've connected to the new harness. Now I just need to figure out how to swap the key tumblers ...

I've got pics of the internals if anyone's interested. Here's pics of before and after:

Before:


After:



Cheers,
Jeff

 

Nice work! Just stop by a locksmith's shop. Should only take him a few minutes to swap or re-key.

 

Exactly........

Or if you're really brave, remove the electrical part on the back and the tumblers will slide out as an assembly, then just swap them out.

The locksmith way is the safe way if you don't know what you're doing, but my way is how you learn..........

Just remember, "surprisingly similar" does not mean that they'll interchange.......

 

On both switches I have, when the electrical parts were out I could still not figure out how to remove the tumblers. They certainly didn't just slide out. Anyway I would be surprised if the tumblers were interchangable since the MG tumbler looks a bit different. Nice to get the switch wiring fixed anyway ...

Cheers,
Jeff

 

Tell us how it goes! Good luck bro