Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Peter_L · Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2020 7:08 pm Post subject:

Ray.. The upside of this being that with a hidden engine crank switch, the vehicle isn't quite as easy to drive away. Going back to some earlier posts, I would find it interesting to know what internal part of the switch fails ? In the end, this episode by be a blessing in disguise.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6303 Location: Derby

Peter_L · Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2020 9:55 pm Post subject:

I see about £30+VAT for a Lucas One and £15+VAT for a "No Name".... You're right, take the refund £'s and buy some wine... Laughing

You said I win.... No Ray.. you win.. the rest of us are just here to annoy you and give advice ... Stay Safe Very Happy

petelang · Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 442 Location: Nottingham

Inside would be a piece of mica insulator between the terminal and the casing. Probably cracked when tightened up. Sounds like the sort of quality issue from Chinese made products. The old Lucas version would have a thicker insulator.
I had my 1934 Daimler floor mounted start switch apart and found similar, a fire just waiting to start, but remanufactured terminals and insulators from an old starter solenoid to fit within it and I have confidence now knowing its sound.
You just never know with the stuff around these days, often impossible to even dismantle without destroying it. In the old days EVERYTHING could be dismantled and repaired.
If I was in your shoes Ray, I would forgo the refund and strip it, make it better and then you are sure and know it will serve you well for many years.
Just think of it as a £15 lesson in acquired knowledge?
Peter

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6303 Location: Derby

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6303 Location: Derby

Having sat and thought about it I went back out to the car and had another look.

Let me firstly make my excuses for behaving like an idiot. I have a problem with my eyesight and I am booked into the hospital this week for cataract surgery.

What I had done was to fit the battery cable to the switch the wrong way round. This meant part of the cable connector was earthing on the switch body. It wasn't until I shone a light up from underneath that I saw what was happening.

So... there is nothing wrong with the switch and the starter turns the engine over as expected.

My apologies for wasting everyone's time. Embarassed

MVPeters · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 822 Location: Northern MA, USA

Glad you resolved it!
Cataract surgery is amazing. Invest in 2 or 3 pairs of reading glasses until you find a strength that suits you.
_________________
Mike - MVPeters at comcast.net
2002 MINI Cooper 'S'

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6303 Location: Derby

Thank you Mike. I am sure it's fine but I can't help feeling a bit nervous. Confused

Penguin45 · Joined: 28 Jul 2014 Posts: 381 Location: Padiham

lowdrag · Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Posts: 1585 Location: Le Mans

At the turn of the century I was blind without my bottle-end glasses, and had been all my life. Couldn't tell who you were at five paces. Then I underwent Lasik surgery, and had 20/20 vision and carried +2.5 glasses for reading. Then I had cataract surgery three years back, and still have 20/20 in one eye and 17/20 in the other. it is painless, and you won't regret it.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6303 Location: Derby

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I can't go on like this.

Hopefully I will be able to get behind the wheel again.