Pettifordo Posted October 16, 2022 Report Share Posted October 16, 2022 The main beam switch on my 1980 Spitfire 1500 has gone “floppy” and main beam does engage. I’m in the middle of restoring and last week got all the indicators working and I’m sure it was ok then. Anyone experienced this ? Any advice about how to fix it ? The indicators and horn still work ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 16, 2022 Report Share Posted October 16, 2022 sound loke the switch mount has fractured or the pivot rivet has failed its quite common for the plastic support for lamps or indicators stalks to give up due to ageism had a stag one last week Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pettifordo Posted October 16, 2022 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2022 Do I have the take the steering column off to fix it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pettifordo Posted October 16, 2022 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2022 Assume they aren’t repairable 😞 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted October 16, 2022 Report Share Posted October 16, 2022 Had the same problem @Pettifordo the plastic has cracked and no, you can’t fix. New ones are very expensive and old ones will probably fail…but there is a solution. The indicator stalks for mid 80s minis are the same exactly the same. The only thing you have to do is bend the arm slightly as it’s too close to the steering wheel. You can buy new for less than £30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted October 16, 2022 Report Share Posted October 16, 2022 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204099631975?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=-duUA5hqTMe&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=MNcX2WCaSMa&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted October 16, 2022 Report Share Posted October 16, 2022 Think this is the one. Just check as BL did eventually swap sides on the mini. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted October 16, 2022 Report Share Posted October 16, 2022 The one I bought. Prices up a bit just since Feb! https://www.minisport.com/21a2658-steering-column-switch-mk3-early-rh-indicator-stalk-76-84.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted October 16, 2022 Report Share Posted October 16, 2022 How bent it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pettifordo Posted October 16, 2022 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2022 Thanks - I’ve ordered one - how did you bend it @AlanT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted October 16, 2022 Report Share Posted October 16, 2022 @PettifordoCarefully! Used my hands, nothing more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted October 16, 2022 Report Share Posted October 16, 2022 Keep the old one for the mo. I’ve can’t remember if I had to swap the connector plug over. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 16, 2022 Report Share Posted October 16, 2022 2 hours ago, Pettifordo said: Do I have the take the steering column off to fix it ? No just remove the switch cowling the fixing screws are on the underside in recessd holes easy you will have to route the harness to join the batch of bullet connectors under the dash it probably run thro a metal channel/conduit Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pettifordo Posted October 19, 2022 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2022 New one fitted - I had to remove the steering wheel and swap the windscreen wipers over. The wiring on the new mini one was different to the original (same shaped plug but missing one of the pins) BUT when plugged in everything functioned - so I have kept the one that came on the mini one Anyway bent the stalk a bit. Thanks for the tip @Pete Lewis I wonder why it worked with different wiring ?!?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted October 19, 2022 Report Share Posted October 19, 2022 Glad it works. Seems there are quite a few crossover electrical parts with Minis. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 19, 2022 Report Share Posted October 19, 2022 when we had a british car industry so many parts were interchangable Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted October 21, 2022 Report Share Posted October 21, 2022 On 19/10/2022 at 19:54, Pete Lewis said: when we had a british car industry so many parts were interchangable Pete I could do with some interchangeable parts?. Preferably NOS?.😉 Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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