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MG TD TF 1500 - removing ignition switch

I have a 1953 TD. I have to remove my ignition/headlight switch. What's the easiest procedure? Does the chrome bezel unscrew? There's what looks like a wire clamp on the back side of the dash, but the screw goes sideways so I can't get a screw driver on it to loosen it. I lost my keys. None of Moss Motors key blanks fit so my local locksmith asked that I bring the ignition switch to him and he'll try to find one from thousands he has using trial by error.
m garber

What are the two letters on you lock code? All MG keys are available from various sellers. Beats unwiring the switch and taking it out. Ain't easy unless you pull the dash.

Larry
L Karpman

FA - if the letters on the front are the lock code. I got profiles from the Moss Motors catalog and we tried all of them without success.
m garber

FA is the most common. They're on ebay all the time.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FA-REPLACEMENT-KEY-MG-TD-LATE-MG-TF-etc_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3ef1b6866dQQitemZ270343243373QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Or go direct to triple-C here:

http://www.triple-c.com/Keys_-_Replacement.cfm

Everybody carries them.

Larry
L Karpman

If an FA key blank wont work, then perhaps someone changed the internals of the lock at some point. I'm no locksmith, so I can't help in that area.

Larry
L Karpman

I believe you have to remove the 6 nuts holding the center panel onto the dash, then pull it out a little so you can get to the screw that holds the clamp wire. George
George Butz

The six nuts on the center panel are not all accessible . I would unscrew the screws holding the dash panel-remove the cross bolt holding the steering column. Lower the steering columb and pad with a towel. then pull the dash back about 8" and you will have access to the little bolt that holds the clamp on the ignition switch.
Be certain to disconnect the battery first.
This way you are not working upside down and bass-ackwards
Sandy
SANDY SANDERS

Contact Pete Groh at http://www.britishcarkeys.com/. I'll bet he can get you a key that works. Tell Pete that Bud Krueger said 'hi'.
Bud Krueger

I like Sandy's methods, but I can never get my wheel to lower much the way he does it, so I usually undo the clamp for the telescoping shaft, pick out the key and pull the steering wheel and the splined shaft. Gives me a lot more room to work, and I can do it in about 2 minutes.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Dave. I like your method much better than mine. I never even thought of removing the wheel.Too many senior moments is my only excuse.
Thanks for the info.
Sandy
SANDY SANDERS

thanks for all the comments. my wife suggested that i check the pockets of every piece of clothing i have.
m garber

A key blank will not work until it is cut to fit the code. The blank will go in but not key the individual slides in side the lock.
The lock may be marked FA but there should be numbers following. Those numbers are the code. FA is just the key profile to fit the lock.
Sandy
SANDY SANDERS

You might try a FS key. When I first got Little T he had a lock which I figured was original but turned out to be a replacement. Craig Seabrook restored the switch as original and it now appears to be original and uses an original FA key. The two keys look the same but have a totally diferent profile. You might have a FA switch with a FS lock.
Richard Taylor

How about hotwiring the car so you can drive to the locksmith's shop? The local long-time locksmith took about 5 minutes to pick the lock and make a key for our fooseball table (which wouldn't return the balls- seems a number of the kids' hot-wheels type cars were in the ball return mechanism). He did have a correct bland in his truck, so you still need that. Sandy is right you do have to pull the entire dash out a bit to get to the center panel nuts. Due to the recess, you may still have to remove the panel from the main dash for screw access, depending on the angle and location on the switch. George
George Butz

M Garber, on my '53 TD, the ignition switch not only has the FA stamped on its face but also a three digit number on the opposite side of the key opening from those letters. With this info, there are people on the BBS who advertise that they make keys using this data. Also, check the ignition lock to see if there might be a broken off key segment stuck it it. I am not sure how to remove it if it's in there.
Jim Merz

At my wife's suggestion I checked all my pockets and found nothing. Several years ago I found a money clip that had disappeared a couple of years earlier with $500 in it. No such luck this time. My wife might have hid my keys because she didn't want me to buy it. I have a few other cars she wanted me to sell first. I know the key didn't break off because I did drive it every couple of weeks until I couldn't find my key. Hot wiring it and taking it to the locksmith might be the answer. If only I hadn't sold my trailer a few weeks ago. Anyway, thanks for the suggestions.
m garber

m garber,

email me off the board if you need help hot wiring the car. It is quite simple. I'm just not a big fan of publiciing the process on the net!

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

This thread was discussed between 15/01/2010 and 17/01/2010

MG TD TF 1500 index

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