Bypassing ignition barrel and key

I have been given a 1978 T reg 1000cc mini which the kids will learn to drive on the field. The key and barrel do not work and I dont want to psned £50 for a new one. Whihc is the easist way to dispose of the barrel and key and fit a starter switch. Anyone know which wires to join etc and what the others do on the back of the barrel?

You'll have four wires to the ignition switch. The brown is the supply, the light green/white is the accessory circuit, the white is the ignition circuit and the white/red is the starter solenoid feed. You'll need fairly high current switches for the ignition and accessory circuits, I'd go for at least 30 amps each and use a seperate switch for each. Unless you can find a three position switch of the 0/A/A+B type like a lighting switch (not a Mini headlamp switch as these are 16 Amps only) but this would have to be of an even higher current rating. The starter switch doesn't really need to be high current rated, but it must be momentary action. Something like a 10 amp sprung return toggle switch.

To completely remove the ignition barrel you will have to drill or cut or file and unscrew both of the two shear bolts holding it to the steering column. Even if you remove the switch from the back of the lock and butcher out the lock it still won't be safely bypassed, as the lock will be unreliable. You wouldn't want it to jump back in place while you were driving.


I've just come back to mention that this will make the car illegal for road use as you must have a steering lock.

Edited by Dan, 09 September 2005 - 04:10 PM.

whip off all the plastic c**p, on the back of the ignition barrel is a black 'disk' thingy, take this off and there should be a slot in the middle turn the slot with a screwdriver and your rolling! this bypasses the need for the key and the turning from the screwdriver means in effect the screwdriver becomes the key

hope this is useful

Thats great, screwdriver is now the key. Thanks.

You could always get a cheap second hand one from someone on here?
Several people have been breaking minis, so i would think someone will have one!
Just put a wanted message up.