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Sierra ignition switch FUBAR - Arghh!
RazMan - 24/4/11 at 10:11 PM

I just got stranded for an hour on the motorway due to (I think) my Sierra ignition switch. It suddenly decided NOT to give me a switched live feed so as a result everything stopped - no fuel, no sparks, no lights, nada!

Having just got home after much a-fiddlin' with the ignition key, I discovered that if I whizz the switch straight round to the starter position it reluctantly allowed me some juice to all of the important circuits. It therefore is a pretty safe bet that the switch itself is FUBAR. My dilemma is that I was intending to drive to Stoneleigh tomorrow so do I hotwire it in some way or stay at home? Is it an easy job to replace the switch (and presumeably the key too) or is much gnashing of teeth involved?

[Edited on 24-4-11 by RazMan]


McLannahan - 24/4/11 at 10:17 PM

Isn't Stoneleigh next week - 1st and 2nd May?


Madinventions - 24/4/11 at 10:24 PM

Hope so, otherwise I'm not going to be there...


RazMan - 24/4/11 at 10:30 PM

Doh!


RazMan - 24/4/11 at 10:35 PM

Ok, ok - I've had a long day with the grandkids and I must have stepped into a time vortex or something - anyway, moving on ......

About my ignition switch ..... are new ones available from Ford or do I have to spend obscene amounts of money buying the whole steering column?


AdrianH - 24/4/11 at 10:39 PM

NEW FORD SIERRA/RS/COSWORTH/4x4/XR4i IGNITION/SWITCH | eBay UK

There are two on ebay that I can see if you just want the switch bit.

Adrian


Peteff - 24/4/11 at 10:50 PM

I used a Fiesta one in one of my cars, mk4, 5 Escort look same as well.


jollygreengiant - 24/4/11 at 10:58 PM

It sounds like as you say the switch rather than the key barrel. If you remove the column shroud then you should be able to see that the switch unit only clips into the back of the barrel. If you pry this free, then you should be able to insert a 'key' into the switch rotor and confirm it faulty. The switch itself is on a short loom with another joint further down the column. There are at least 2 different connector plugs so you might need to find the 'right' one. HTH

All being well we'll see you at Stoneleigh, on the right day.


RazMan - 24/4/11 at 11:11 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jollygreengiant
All being well we'll see you at Stoneleigh, on the right day.


I thought no one noticed but you had to bring it up didn't you

Thanks for the info - I will have another look in daylight and see what's involved. I am now just wondering why the switch failed. The heavy nature of the wires (red, blk/yell,blk/blu) would suggest that it has a fairly high current rating. As a result I didn't use any relays for my fuel pump, dash & coilpack so did I do this wrong?


Davg - 24/4/11 at 11:22 PM

As jollygreengiant says the switch is as the base of the ignition barrel however to confirm it is actuyally held on by 2 small grunb screws either side. which you will see underneat after you remove the lower cowling. Poss maybe just loose.

cheers D

if you do end up needing a new barrel mondeo also fits as well as other mentioned inc transit


scoose the spelling! hic !

[Edited on 24/4/11 by Davg]


Andybarbet - 25/4/11 at 12:15 AM

I have a sierra ignition switch - its brand new & im not using it on my build as ive got a fiesta one.

Let me know if you need it ??

I paid a few quid for it but its yours for £5 + p&p if you want it ??

Part number stamped on it is B517X. It has a black plug, its a six way plug but only 4 wires are used:
Big red wire
Big Black/Yellow wire
Big black/blue wire
Small yellow wire

Let me know if your interested, i could probably post tuesday morning unless your anywhere near North Herts soon.

If you U2U a mobile number i could take a photo of it & send to you pretty sharpish, it'll take me a while to download from my phone to the puter as im pretty busy for the next few days.

[Edited on 25/4/11 by Andybarbet]


MakeEverything - 25/4/11 at 06:32 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Andybarbet
I have a sierra ignition switch - its brand new & im not using it on my build as ive got a fiesta one.

Let me know if you need it ??

I paid a few quid for it but its yours for £5 + p&p if you want it ??

Part number stamped on it is B517X. It has a black plug, its a six way plug but only 4 wires are used:
Big red wire
Big Black/Yellow wire
Big black/blue wire
Small yellow wire

Let me know if your interested, i could probably post tuesday morning unless your anywhere near North Herts soon.

If you U2U a mobile number i could take a photo of it & send to you pretty sharpish, it'll take me a while to download from my phone to the puter as im pretty busy for the next few days.

[Edited on 25/4/11 by Andybarbet]


Do i still owe you one? I seem to remember robbing a switch from you ages ago, but i cant remember giving you one back!!


RazMan - 25/4/11 at 08:40 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Andybarbet
I have a sierra ignition switch - its brand new & im not using it on my build as ive got a fiesta one.

Let me know if you need it ??

I paid a few quid for it but its yours for £5 + p&p if you want it ??




Yes please Andy - the one I have is a black connector so probably the same one as yours. If you can U2U me your payment details I will do it straight away.


BenB - 25/4/11 at 08:44 AM

I'd just hotwire it
Dead easy and takes seconds if you can disconnect the wires from the switch.


RazMan - 25/4/11 at 10:01 AM

Further investigation reveals the horrible truth I pulled the ignition switch connector apart (it took some effort) and found this ....

Ignition switch overload
Ignition switch overload


It looks like the black/yellow connector has been having trouble handling the current, which would explain some rather odd electrical gremlins I have been experiencing recently. So it looks like I need to replace both halves of the connector now, unless I splice in a different connector. I am tempted to simply solder the wires together, bypassing the connector completely...... would that be considered a bodge?

*edit* The sun is shining so I took the latter option as a 'temporary' repair - I'll sort it properly over next winter

[Edited on 25-4-11 by RazMan]


Andybarbet - 25/4/11 at 10:30 AM

Technically you do owe me one Rich, i picked this one up a couple of weeks ago but turns out its not the right one, hence offering it to razman.

My search continues

Its my own fault for not using sierra column switches !