Ignition Switch

[dgeezer]

Had my 2.0 TD Clubman Estate pinched last week .. amazingly it was recovered after a member of the public spotted it being pushed by a group of youths across a foot bridge !! The rozzers gave chase & having been through a couple of fields & more it was dumped .. the youth driving it was nicked but his 3 mates legged it.

Anyway, I have corrected the majority of defects resulting from the unwarranted use (mainly electrical) but am stumped by the ignition switch. The yobs responsible have snapped the steering lock (I assume just by wrenching the steering). As a result the (multi function) steering column switches are out of alignment (8 o'clock to 2 o'clock). I appreciate I need a new ignition switch which will necessitate removing the steering column, but do I need a new steering column too (a) to faciliate fitting a new ignition switch and (b) to solve the mutli-switch alignment problem ?

I appreciate that nobody wishes to learn about such problems but I would be very grateful for advice from anyone who has been through similar mis-fortune.

Ta.

[Ed]

Sorry to hear your car has been through such an ordeal, its never nice to see your car after such an attack.

When F725 YPW was nicked (for the third time in a year!!! Uh huh, yeah i know!!) the steering wheel was folded in half nearly due to the muppets wrenching the steering wheel so hard. I remember the steering column had to be changed but I'm afraid I cannot remember exactly why as I didn't do this repair myself and it was four years ago, I just vaguely remember that one of the welded brackets on it had been broken and I think it was slightly bent. As far as I remember, its fairly easy to change, and can be done with the facsia in place.

If you need a spare ignition switch, I may have a later type Monty one kicking around.

[E_T_V]

If the steering column is ok then the ignition switch can be removed, (with some patience) by tapping out the shear screws that retain it to the column.

Replacing the column with one from a scrap car is also very easy. The column is retained by four nuts, and you have to disconnect the linkage at the bottom which is one pinch bolt. If you can find a scrap car with a key in it then I'd just take the whole column off as it is easy enough. If you need a spare lockset Ledbury will have some but you'll have to collect it. (do a forum search for "Ledbury" to find the contact details).

My sympathies for your trouble but be re-assured the damage isn't too hard to fix.

[Rich]

Fortunatly I have never had to deal with this directly, but I did have sort out the aftermath on the van which had been previously stolen.

The easiest thing to do is to replace the entire column I believe either Maestro or Montego will do. The inner colum will be damaged and the cut out for the ignition lock (for what its worth) will be damaged. The outer column will no doubt be bent (usually on the brackets), and will not be true when you replace the column cowls.

The A fram thingy which the top of the colum mounts to may also be distorted, but only if they were very heavy handed.

A new Ignition lock can be obtained from Ledbury, but the only locksets there (if they are still there) are Maestro ones, so the tailgate lock would not fit a Montego. You may have to use a scrap ignition lock, preferably one already fitted to the new column you want to use with a key. Its unfortunate, but the key will be different for the ignition swith then. Unless its a monty you get it from, and remove all the locks and put them all onto yours.

HTH Rich

[dgeezer]

Many thanks all for the advice ...

I spoke to a work colleague who's into rallying (though he prefers Peugeots) and who knows cars pretty much inside out and he also suggested a complete swap out of the steering column. I considered this course of action when surveying the damage and it is as stated - 4 nuts plus the connection to the intermediate column. Fortunately I just happen to know where I can lay my hands on a complete replacement Montego steering column complete with ignition switch ... just need to confirm availability of the key(s). Certianly seems the easier of the two options and will avoid any future trouble with the steering lock function.

By way of a back up option, can anyone else confirm that a Maestro column would be a suitable alternative ?

Suffice to say I shall be using my steering lock from now on !!! :idea: :rolleyes:

[weasel2400]

I can confirm that the colum and all the locks exept the boot are identical on the maestro :) , I would sugest you use your steering lock at all times as when i've had to move cars (with the owners concent) the steering lock realy isent verry strong and can be broken easyly so what the prats that nicked poor montyboys were playing at i dont know :banghead:

best of luck with repairs :) .

[E_T_V]

Also if the key isn't available there is a way to make a similar key fit I believe, although it does make your car slightly less secure. (not that maestros and montys are secure anyway!). Also you may well find that if you get an ignition key and lock from a scrap car that the ignition key will open your doors anyway!. My garage key opens my van door!

[e692wtt]

Door locks...I had 4 keys for my Monty for about 7 years - a 'public baths locker' security key for the drivers' door (fitted by previous owner as Monty was stolen/recovered before I got him), 2 keys that would open the front doors (but only one would operate the ignition lock and only the other would operate the glovebox lid lock), and a key for the boot (new lock fitted by me, Monty had no boot lock when I got him, just a lock barrel container).

I fitted 3 doors from an H-reg SLX (including both front doors) and also the bootlock from the same car, last summer. The ignition key for Monty fits all the locks on the car (rest of locks are off the SLX, only the ignition barrel is 'original')... and so do most other car keys belonging to attendees of the Great North Run 2004... Oops! :banghead:

Security isn't a strong point on Montegos or Maestros, and I would recommend a steering wheel lock be used whenever the car is parked. I have also wired in 2 ignition cut offs (this can also be done to Diesels without any great difficulty - interrupt the feed to the diesel fuel solenoid). ;)

[metromartin]

If you follow the wires on the ignition switch they go to a connector just swap them over with a same age scrapper.

I had 1 lock screw drivered. So I get about 4 scrap good locks, (no keys) took them all apart and swapped the pins around till it fitted my key :) This worked so well I now have 1 key for all locks aprt from the small petrol cap on my mk1 metro which has 3 keys as standard anyway :@

[weasel2400]

just to say on maestros there is a in line conector for the ignition switch - but on montys I think it plugs straigt into the back of the fusebox - still just as easy to swap though.

[MGJohn]

I have a complete Montego Steering column and correct key available if you've not got fixed up yet. There are two kinds of ignition switches - the electrical ones on the other (hidden) end of the key operated ignition/steering lock which is secured to the lock assembly by two very small screws - one switch has a multiplug which connects to the loom, whilst the later cars connects directly to the fuze box.