Rex Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 My ignition switch has been replaced once over the years. The car is a 2002 SV and the switch is supposed to be a Rover unit but is labeled as Lucas. The new switch is several years old and still functioning but is quite warm to the touch after a run. Is this normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 I'm assuming you haven't as I done more than once having fiddled with the heater whilst driving had the vent accidentally blowing hot air over the switch. I was surprised at how hot it got and how it retained the heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 If it is not heater induced, I would say there is a contact resistance in the switch causing it to get hot.I had a switch fail. There is a copper contact plate inside that bridges the contacts as you turn the key. This plate has a series of springs behind it to apply pressure to the contacts. In my case one of the springs had broken. I managed to replace just the switch with a landy defender one from Rimmer Bros.The original ignition barrel was from something like a TR4 - at this time Elliott Lucas was a major manufacturer of car parts for the automotive industry when the UK had one!! Just googled and Lucas is still trading under the company name of ELTA.Could also be dirty / worn contacts but the switch isnt really serviceable. You can prise them apart but lots of little pieces fly everywhere!RegardsIan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Hopefully it is the heater vent. If not, sure Chris at Redline Components can help with parts 01883 346515 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GulfSeven Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Have you got an engine cut-off switch? There's a load-dumping resistor for that near the ignition that gets very hot, although I believe it only gets hot when the switch is off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Posted March 22, 2021 Author Share Posted March 22, 2021 Thanks for the help guys. I've closed the heater vent on that side. Maybe that will do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 If the heaters like mine can you not just swivel and adjust the vent baffles to point away from the ignition switch?, it's still chilly this time of year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 The FIA switch resistor is a red herring - this only sees action if the switch is thrown while the engine is running. It protects the alternator by putting a load across it (rather than going open circuit)Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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