Ignition switch

[Trevor Triumph]

The under bonnet solenoid on the 66 Spit will start the car with the ignition- key switch- on. The car will not start using the key in the ignition switch. When twisting the key in the ignition switch inside the car there is a clicking sound apparently from the solenoid. Does that sound like a switch problem or solenoid?

Seems a bit dangerous to have to get out of the car to start it at some intersection with a big truck bearing down.

T.T.

 

[Rhodyspit75]

Try jumping a wire from the battery post on the solonoid to the small post with the white red wire on it. If the starter turns then it is a bad ignition switch or bad connection. If it doesn't then it's the solonoid. Make sure it is out of gear.

 

[Trevor Triumph]

I tried with two solenoids:
Jumper from the battery post to the small post produces spark, a hot wire, but no starter movement.

Must be the ignition switch?

 

[TR3driver]

My guess is that you have a short to ground somewhere in the white/red wire. It might be in the switch, but I think it's more likely to be along the wire somewhere, perhaps where it goes through the firewall (eg the harness is being abraded at that point).

My next step would be to disconnect the WR wire from the solenoid and repeat the test. If the solenoid now works, next test is to reconnect the WR wire at the solenoid and disconnect it at the switch.

 

[Trevor Triumph]

Well. Duh with a capital D. I found the white/ red wire hiding under the solenoid the attached it to the solenoid, ran the black ground to the coil and the starter runs from the ignition switch in the car! I thought because I had the alternator the wires were sent to a different tab. Thanks!! it is working for now.

T.T.

 

[Trevor Triumph]

Alright. Both Spitfires start with the ignition key and the button on the solenoid. Still, there is a black- ground- wire that is unattached. I don't remember where it goes :frown:. I even repaired, I think the ignition switch- tightened the bezel and the 15/16 nut at the back. Things are looking up. Maybe I can run the autocross with one of the cars.

T.T.

 

[TR3driver]

So where is this mystery black wire?

Be careful about assuming it's ground just because it's black. One of my Stags came to me with a black wire dangling under the dash, that was connected directly to the battery hot! No idea why it was there, but I sure am glad I didn't try to connect it to ground.