IGNITION KEY SWITCH / FLOOR START BUTTON

[Chewie Baker]

Morning all

was the ignition switch different on the early minis that has the floor start button to that of the ignition switch of the later key start type?

reason i ask is my Feb '62 has the floor start button in place, but its been re-wired to key start on the ignition switch

I am planning to convert back to the floor start button and was wondering if i need to buy an earlier ignition switch?

was it a 1 position switch on floor start models and a 2 position switch on later models?

Thank you

Martin

[Tim]

Yes, its as you say. The early switches were two position, off/on, but the key start had off/on/start positions.

Tim

[Chewie Baker]

Thanks for swift reply Tim

just out of interest, what year was the floor start button discontinued on the basic models?

[Chewie Baker]

also, can anyone let me know if the early coopers or deluxe's had floor start buttons, or were they ignition key switch start?

Im going to buy a 1962 ignition switch but i can't be sure if its a 3 way switch (for key start) or 2 way switch (for floor button start)

yours confused - Martin!

[mk1]

Coopers key start - Deluxes floor start - Supers key start.

[In the shed]

I'd run a wire from the solenoid to the button.

I have had the case of my exhaust mount being whacked by a stick and shorting the battery out by the button.

It is quite alarming to hear a battery boiling and trying to unship the red hot leads with a big screwdriver (only tool I had on board). I ended up tearing the top of the battery off in order that it didn't boil acid everywhere, or catch fire.

A starter button is something I would de-live every time. Unless you are making a trailer queen, I suggest you do also.

[gs.davies]

I'd run a wire from the solenoid to the button.

I have had the case of my exhaust mount being whacked by a stick and shorting the battery out by the button.

It is quite alarming to hear a battery boiling and trying to unship the red hot leads with a big screwdriver (only tool I had on board). I ended up tearing the top of the battery off in order that it didn't boil acid everywhere, or catch fire.

A starter button is something I would de-live every time. Unless you are making a trailer queen, I suggest you do also.

I'd run a wire from the solenoid to the button.

I have had the case of my exhaust mount being whacked by a stick and shorting the battery out by the button.

It is quite alarming to hear a battery boiling and trying to unship the red hot leads with a big screwdriver (only tool I had on board). I ended up tearing the top of the battery off in order that it didn't boil acid everywhere, or catch fire.

A starter button is something I would de-live every time. Unless you are making a trailer queen, I suggest you do also.

This happened to me once, very alarming. It was solved by fitting the correct exhaust with the turn in it to clear the button.

[Chewie Baker]

Good points chaps and thanks for replies

she won't be a trailer queen, but trying to get her back to fairly original condition

I'll bear that in mind

[woodypup59]

The key start switch will have 3 sets of terminals.

Only 2 terminals on the button start ign switch.

[In the shed]

Same as a pre 64 morris minor one.

[Chewie Baker]

i must say this is an excellent and very helpful forum

you've saved me from buying the wrong switch on ebay!!

Thank you all

[cheleker]

A key start switch can be used in conjunction with the push button if you don't come up with an earlier on/off switch.

[rich@minispares.com]

A key start switch can be used in conjunction with the push button if you don't come up with an earlier on/off switch.

just wire the start terminal on the key switch to the horn and you will soon learn to use it as a two position switch

[goff]

A key start switch can be used in conjunction with the push button if you don't come up with an earlier on/off switch.

just wire the start terminal on the key switch to the horn and you will soon learn to use it as a two position switch

Love that one Colonel bogey

[Tim]

The two position switch is thinner and has a more sculptured shape.



The three position is larger in diameter and smooth. Ignore the keys, this is a modern one with Lucas keys, rather than the original Wilmott Breedon ones.



Tim

[Chewie Baker]

The key start switch will have 3 sets of terminals.

Only 2 terminals on the button start ign switch.

does this contradict with the switches in the photos above or is it my lack of understanding?

[rich@minispares.com]

does this contradict with the switches in the photos above or is it my lack of understanding?

the two terminal switch has two tags on one terminal, so it looks like a three terminal switch, even though its a two terminal switch - compare this to the three terminal switch, which has two tags on one terminal, so its looks like a four terminal switch, even though its a three terminal switch.

if that makes sense..................

[Chewie Baker]

okey dokey and thank you Rich

so switch number 1 in the pic is the switch for me for a floor start

[Tim]

Yes

Tim