Technical Cutting out - ignition switch or steering column

[MrMultipla]

Hello, Car has been cutting out (not stalling!) when my wife drives it. Seemed really random and never does it for me but she won't drive it any more. I was poking about with the engine running trying to find a bad connection and when I adjusted the steering wheel position (up/down) it cut out! Guess wife must be leaning on the wheel more than me?!
Anyone come across this before? Are there any guides/pics of tearing down the steering column and ignition switch area?
Cheers!

 

[varesecrazy]

Not got a guide,
but use the rake adjuster to see what position works, ( your wife MAY be choosing a bad spot for it?)
there's a LOT of wiring in there fighting for space.. NOT an uncommon problem,
Charlie

 

[BikeDoc]

I don't think that's a good idea, you need to find the cause and fix it.
You may find the point where it cuts out, and avoid it, but whatever it is, it's likely to get worse.
You (or your Wife) really don't want it cutting out, for example, pulling away across a busy Dual-Carriageway, or tooling down the outside lane of a busy Motorway

 

[MrMultipla]

Thanks varesecrazy & BikeDoc. It's strange because we don't change the wheel position between us so it hasn't moved for years. It has never cut out for me in 1000s of miles but has done most times my wife drives... until now. Having moved the wheel up a bit it seems fine now but I agree, need to find the dodgy connection and fix it properly.

 

[BikeDoc]

I'd start by whipping the covers off, and 'wiggling' all the wires/connectors with it running.

 

[MrMultipla]

I'd start by whipping the covers off, and 'wiggling' all the wires/connectors with it running.

Well, that's exactly what I've done and... no cutting out. Aaagh! Think I'll remove all the connectors and spray with contact cleaner. Other than that, any ideas? All the cables look well wrapped and secured - no obvious chafing or wear.
Cheers!

 

[MrMultipla]

Ok, played around some more and I've found the problem but it's probably not the simple soldering job I was hoping for
The wires are fine and their connector blocks are fine but the section on the end of the ignition switch unit (see 'opposite end of ignition switch.jpg') has very slight movement and when you move it everything dies.
Anyone know how to remove the ignition switch connector end part (see pic 'ignition switch connector block.jpg')? There must be a dodgy connection in there but I don't want to yank on it in case the whole thing flies apart in a spring-loaded mess.
Thanks for any help!

 

[varesecrazy]

I suspect it's common to many FIATS,
ask in the TECHNICAL section,
Charlie

 

[BikeDoc]

Cutting out . . .

. . . Anyone know how to remove the ignition switch connector end part?

Knowing the way a lot of parts are made, it may not be removable.
It would be best to remove the whole assembly complete, rather than try to do it in-situ.
It's held on by two 'tamper-proof' screws (part of the head shears off when tightened), which will need to be drilled off.
You can see the head of one of them in your second picture.

The end part may be a latched/clip-in item, if so there will be two or three slots in the outer sleeve near the end, you'll see the 'latch' part in the slot, you need to push in all the latches at once to remove the end part.
Sometimes you can push one in while pulling on the part, so the latch is out of the slot, then do the others while keeping the tension on it.

There will be two or three contact plates in the base, with small springs behind to press them onto the terminal contacts.

It might be worth squirting some Switch/Contact cleaner into the end, and 'exercising' it before you try stripping it down.

 

[MrMultipla]

Re: Cutting out . . .

Thanks for your help. It must be cutting out when the plastic shroud underneath the steering column is being knocked (by a knee, probably). That shroud has some rigid foam on the inside which bears up against the ignition barrel, right where the connectors are, so any knock on the shroud is transmitted to the connectors. I've cut away that part of the foam and bashing the shroud doesn't kill the engine any more!
Having looked at some ignition barrel pictures on eBay etc it doesn't look like it is meant to be disassembled. Along with the drilling out of bolts etc I'm thinking the best, further course of action might be a drop of superglue to stop that connector part being able to move.

 

[BikeDoc]

Cutting out

Probably the best option.
Get the Gel type Superglue, it's easy to apply it only where it's needed, and it doesn't spread into thin gaps.
Three or four spots spaced round the barrel should do it, then you should still be able to strip it if it comes to that in future.

 

[boilermansab]

Remeber ssomething very similar when I had my grandads old fiat uno 70sx!! Cured by driving around with no shroud on!! Looked well dodgey but cured it

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

If cutting out could be crank position sensor.