Oh great Jaguar XJS wisemen (and women),
I have an inoperative ignition switch, meaning that the key will turn, BUT, it will rarely unlock the steering wheel, and the electrical switch seems to be in the "on" position. Won't turn off, won't crank the car. Can I fix this without removing the column? Help please!! Thanks
1989 XJS Convertible

 

Snap of my parts book. Item #2 is the whole unit, and #3 is the electrical section.

The "mechanical" section is attached to the column by 2 "shear head" setscrews, and are a tad fiddly to remove. Column removal, NO.

The "electrical section" is attached to the "mechanical section" by a VERY SMALL screw, that is more felt for than eyeballed. On our RHD cars it is at about"5 o'clock" position as looking at the back of the unit. No idea where it ended up with the column change for LHD.

I would remove the electrical section first, and ensure the alloy connector piece that does the rotational work is intact, as they do break.

The mechanical section takes a beating from lazy operators NOT "unloading" the lock pawl by simply working the steering wheel slightly, prior to turning the key, thus loading up the mechanism seriously.

Those shear head bolts are NOT shown in that snapshot, neither is the SMALL SCREW, so some searching will be needed to find the part # for them if needed.

 

great info, thank you!

 

that drawing is not for the '89 car, it is a different design for the later post '90 cars, but the same fault

BB

 

Here ya go.

Another HOT night, last night, tooooooo many home brews.

Now its 35c and raining, YUK.

My BAD, sorry.



Item #1 is the lot.

#2 is the electrical bit

#4 is the bolts I mentioned. Their # is DAC4154.

:icon_ beerchug:

 

Thanks, appreciate your update!