So I've been trying to get this 1980 sa running after a rebuild and last night I tried another timing adjustment when all of a sudden I see and hear sparks from the column near the key and the tach stops.... so i jumped out with key in hand and the demon possessing it just starts turning it over! Luckily the ground was loose enough I was just able to pull it from the battery to stop it. I know it's a 40+year old car so I'm assuming something shorted in the ignition? Is this a problem that's been seen before in these? Talk about an adrenaline dump!

 

Christine?!

Not heard of that until now...glad you caught it. Guess I'd start looking where the sparks were happening

 

LMAO, that car became sentient until you cut its plug " time to free my brethren from the slavery and oppression humankind has imposed upon our motorized kind, tonight I shall ride into the night and bring upon a NEW WORLD.... ( get's unplugged) . Who knew a rotary would be the ring leader ..

 

I know right?! Just last week I had a fire caused from trying to clear the flooded engine when a plug wire too close to the block and it grounded causing a fire i was able to snuff out thankfully with a handy fire extinguisher! Didn't do any wire melting or damage thankfully, besides the mess an extinguisher makes. Seems possessed at this point.

 

After the start of removing the column parts the back side of the ignition switch fell away spewing the guts aka contacts revealing the assumable issue. I'm at a loss of the next plan of attack and just losing hope at this point. I'm sure this isn't a readily avaliable part especially dealing with the lock bolts and key issues

.

 

The back electric switch assembly can be had at atkins. I've had to replace mine at least once in its lifetime.


https://www.atkinsrotary.com/store/I...71-66-151.html

 

so just 1 or 2 screws and it's out and being traded with the replacement? And no key issues...... I've been a customer of atkins for a bit now and somehow missed these. If it's a direct swap and plug in that would be at least 1 bit of good news for me. Between his health (friend who's car im working on) and normal work and home issues i need something to go my way at some point. Don't mean to crash any good vibes but was just told the buddy who's car im working on (from him) had some surgeries and is currently in hospice care and hoping and praying for the best. Nothing rona or cancer related. Just has me really needing to give him hope and something else to motivate him. Sorry for the ramble.... just lots to digest, Car wise and health in general.

 

Sorry to hear that, you're doing your friend a great thing. I hope it all works out for him.

 

It really is that easy. Or you can try to fix the existing one but sometimes its easier to replace it. Good luck to your buddy, hope he's out and about in his car soon.

 

Thanks guys. We're pulling for him for a full recovery. I have to have a spare one from a 79 parts car laying somewhere but if I can't find it 50 bucks ain't bad for a brand new one. Thanks again everyone!

 

So while waiting on looking thru parts I figured I would give rebuilding the switch a try.... cleaned everything up and gave the tabs used to hold it together a few good taps and it turns good and sounds good and clean..... any ideas on making sure it doesn't back out again? And can't find anything on testing the plug wires for good contact and proper connection.

 

I did this exact same thing back in the day. It worked fine for a few years after that but finally started getting loose again. Thats when I bought a new one.

 

got it secured with the tabs folded in more and jb to add more strength.... works great just gotta get it to fire now.

 

I got the news today I was praying I wouldn't hear. Todd passed away on Saturday. Really feeling like **** I didn't get this running in time for him to at least hear it. I talked to his wife and she said he would want his daughter to have his car so we're moving forward for her. Thanks for the help guys.

 

Sorry to hear that. I hope the car helps her keep those memories of her dad.

 

Thanks man..... same here. Now I just gotta figure it out.