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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Frogeye ignition/light switch

Hi,
I know this subject has been raised before, and have been through archives. I have (at long last) bought a shiny new light/ignition switch and from the archives, was expecting it to be mainly round with a straight edge to prevent it turning in the dashboard.
Instead it has no straight edge but there are two very small lugs, on either side, about 5mm wide just marginally below the lip of the metallic outer sleeve. if you look carefully, you can just see it in the photo in the link below, at the top of the switch, in line with the slit for the fixing bracket.
My question is, is it these tiny lugs that stop the switch rotating when using it? I find it very difficult getting behind the dash (or more accurately getting out afterwards!) so want to try and get it right first time. Do I need to ensure that I "fix" the hole in the dash to recreate small holes for these lugs to sit in. After over 50 years use, or misuse, it is not surprising that the hole will be nice and circular, so subject to your advise, I am thinking I need to make a small thin plate with gaps for the lugs to glue to the back of the dash.
Be really pleased to hear of anyone else's experiences, many thanks.

The switch is the same or very similar to (like this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lucas-PRS3-Ignition-Switch-Austin-Healey-Frogeye-Sprite-3H1557-Lucas-31958-/190669670028?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c64cc468c0)

Many thanks
Graham M V

fit the switch into the dashboard hole and then fit the wire clamp so that it (1) locates in the lugs (2) pushes against the rear of the dashboard. If you have lost the wire clamp then a jubilee type clamp will suffice although without spring pressure against the back of the dashboard your switch will move a little.
Alan
A Anstead

Thanks Alan. But from what I have read, the clip only stops it coming out of the hole, and doesn't stop in revolving. Is that wrong?
I do have a new clip with the switch. The lugs I was referring to are not the slits that the spring clip sits in, but very small lugs protruding out from the metallic cylinder containing the switch. As I mentioned, you can see them in the link, but you may need a magnifying glass!
Graham M V

Hi
For the benefit of the archives, and in case anyone is interested, I now have the the job finished.
Contrary to some of the comments in the archives, on my car at least, there is no "straight edge" in the dashboard hole. Instead, there is a small wedge cut out above and below the round hole, at the top and bottom. The "lugs" referred to above fit in these cut outs, and that prevents the circular motion of the switch.
So the bracket supplied with the switch does not need to worry to prevent rotation. It's job is just to hold the switch firmly up against the dashboard. Very fiddly to fit and tighten and Alan's idea of a very large jubilee clip, would probably be much easier.
Graham M V

Just finished replacing the ignition/headlight switch on the Frog without removing the dash.
I found securing the 4ba bolt through the wire clip a bit of a challenge. Here's a tip. Fit the clip and ensure its correctly located in the slots in the switch. Fit the screw through the ears in the clip upwards, I then used a strong magnet to hold the screw in position so I could fit the spring washer and nut using my right hand. Once a couple of threads are started the magnet can be removed and the nut tightened using a suitable spanner. Once I figured it out it took 5 mins!
Bob Beaumont

My 'kit of parts' that is now my frogeye was missing the wire clip, so I designed and made a U shaped securing plate. Easy to fit with the dash in position and it holds the switch more securely with 3 small set screws.

The U shaped part just slides into the slots on the switch and a stubby Phillips screwdriver then to tighten the 3 screws against the back of the dash.


GuyW

This thread was discussed between 11/05/2012 and 27/05/2022

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