General Ignition Switch

[Pete145]

Hi all,

I only have one ignition key for my 1971 500L, and the key sticks in the ignition lock pretty badly (on the steering wheel column). There's a lot of twisting and jiggling before the tumblers finally align. Often with these things you find the knack and get used to it..... I haven't.

I'm fearful of the key braking and, given that I only have one, I'd be stuffed if this happens!

Apparently a replacement steering column ignition lock will be extremely hard to get hold of, but it's been suggested that I can just fit a new ignition lock into the centre of the dashboard (in the lusso there is a plug in the dashboard where that version of the ignition lock would go).

Is this an easy fix? Is it just a case of disconnecting the battery, disconnecting the wiring to the existing ignition and wiring up the new one?

 

[Pete145]

Hi all,

I only have one ignition key for my 1971 500L, and the key sticks in the ignition lock pretty badly (on the steering wheel column). There's a lot of twisting and jiggling before the tumblers finally align. Often with these things you find the knack and get used to it..... I haven't.

I'm fearful of the key braking and, given that I only have one, I'd be stuffed if this happens!

Apparently a replacement steering column ignition lock will be extremely hard to get hold of, but it's been suggested that I can just fit a new ignition lock into the centre of the dashboard (in the lusso there is a plug in the dashboard where that version of the ignition lock would go).

Is this an easy fix? Is it just a case of disconnecting the battery, disconnecting the wiring to the existing ignition and wiring up the new one?

This is the one that I have sourced:

http://www.ricambio.co.uk/69-fiat/2.../1215-ignition-switch--keys--classic-fiat-500

 

[Hugh Jarce]

Hi Pete

That is exactly what I did. There were no keys with my car when I found it and the steering lock was damaged in removing it. Thus I fitted an ignition switch in the centre of the dash. This one however was just an ignition on, not a turn key start up, (came from a forklift truck). I wired it up using the existing wiring and one click, ignition on and pull lever. I have a new Fiat ignition switch to install but I am keeping that should the fork truck unit fail. Been fine so far.

Cheers
Hugh Jarce

 

[Bambino]

If your 500L has an electric solenoid start rather than a cable pull start (I can't remember when, if ever, the factory conversion was made), a 600 ignition switch fits the dash perfectly. They are available and cheap.

Chris

 

[Pete145]

Hi Pete

That is exactly what I did. There were no keys with my car when I found it and the steering lock was damaged in removing it. Thus I fitted an ignition switch in the centre of the dash. This one however was just an ignition on, not a turn key start up, (came from a forklift truck). I wired it up using the existing wiring and one click, ignition on and pull lever. I have a new Fiat ignition switch to install but I am keeping that should the fork truck unit fail. Been fine so far.

Cheers
Hugh Jarce

Great, thanks Hugh. Was it a hassle finding the correct wires in the steering column or are they pretty easy to isolate?

I assume you disconnected the battery first!?

 

[Pete145]

If your 500L has an electric solenoid start rather than a cable pull start (I can't remember when, if ever, the factory conversion was made), a 600 ignition switch fits the dash perfectly. They are available and cheap.

Chris

Hi Chris, it's a pull lever, without a steering lock feature. So you turn the key for the electrics to kick in, then pull the choke/start lever and hey presto.

 

[Hugh Jarce]

Hi Pete

It was a hassle but not for the wires them selves, the steering column on my late 1972 500L we think was from a 500R, still not sure if we had a mix between the out going L and the incoming R. Anyway, we did need a new indicator and light stalks unit too. I got a used one from a contact who had unfortunately cut the wiring leaving only a small length left. Basically we had to track the wire colours from the wiring diagram and connect in extensions which allowed us to add in sufficient wire to connect everything up including being able to reach the now centre of the dash ignition switch. Not really a hybrid but close. Oh and yes, we always disconnect the fillings melter.

Cheers
Hugh Jarce

 

[Pete145]

Hi Pete

It was a hassle but not for the wires them selves, the steering column on my late 1972 500L we think was from a 500R, still not sure if we had a mix between the out going L and the incoming R. Anyway, we did need a new indicator and light stalks unit too. I got a used one from a contact who had unfortunately cut the wiring leaving only a small length left. Basically we had to track the wire colours from the wiring diagram and connect in extensions which allowed us to add in sufficient wire to connect everything up including being able to reach the now centre of the dash ignition switch. Not really a hybrid but close. Oh and yes, we always disconnect the fillings melter.

Cheers
Hugh Jarce

Thanks Hugh. I can now see that the wires to the existing key ignition on the steering column are very easy to find, as the back of the unit is just under a rubber cover on the back of the switch.

I'll just place the new ignition in the hole in the dash, disconnect the battery, pull the wires from the existing ignition lock, pull them back into the front boot and plug them into the back of the new ignition.

Sounds easy enough!