SIII Ignition Switch--High Failure Rate...

[jac04]

If you are not familiar with the basic wiring concepts now is a good time to learn. The ignition system in the series Land Rovers is so basic you can easily bypass the switch if it goes bad.

I think he knows his basic wiring concepts:

Fortunately, it was pretty easy to bypass the switch both times, but it is still a PITA and shouldn't be necessary.

[SafeAirOne]

If you are not familiar with the basic wiring concepts now is a good time to learn.

Oh, believe me...I'm super-familiar with the electrical system in my 109. Just wondering if anyone else has gone through ignition switches as fast as I seem to be.

I considered the use of a run/stop switch plus cold start and starter buttons, but it becomes a little too messy. I'm no purist, but I try to keep the amount of non-standard stuff to a minimum.

[mongoswede]

If you are not familiar with the basic wiring concepts now is a good time to learn. The ignition system in the series Land Rovers is so basic you can easily bypass the switch if it goes bad. The 68 109 parked in my garage at the moment has nothing more than a starter, coil, plug wires, and distributor and I can start it by giving power to the distributor and jumping 12V to the Starter. There are also alternatives to using the stock ignition switch as its quite possible the quality on them is low...Early Lucas electrical components were not known for their usefulness and reliability. If you don't care so much about remaining stock you could always go to something like a Battery/alternator master kill switch and a spring return button of one sort or another for the starter.

[Apis Mellifera]

Still on the original switch (and key) in my '73. 85K miles so far.

[SafeAirOne]

For the second time in 5 years, I've almost been left stranded by the ignition switch on my SIII.

The first time, I was miles out in the desert when I turned off my engine to do a little map reading. It wouldn't start back up because the "energized in run position" wire wouldn't energize. I replaced the ignition swith.

The same thing happened to me tonight, except I was in a town 20 miles from my house. Fortunately, it was pretty easy to bypass the switch both times, but it is still a PITA and shouldn't be necessary.

Any other SIII owners have similar problems with their ignition switches??