30 replies to this topic

[chunkomunko]

Hi all,

I (we) spend half of today (sunday) putting in this pushstart. It didn't take too long either.......plenty of T and head scratching to work out the wiring but to our surprize we got it first time! Sorted!
We fabricated a mounting bracket and fitted various other switches around the car to increase security and filled the key hole with a chunky washer and allen bolt which I think looks A-OK!

Pictures




I will be selling the old key ignition soon but if anyone is interested now just PM me!

Chunko

[Marky Tizz]

Looks sound, but it's not gonna save you any time/effort is it, if you have to go all around the car?
Looks the nuts though

[Dan]

You aren't going to want to hear this right now and I'm not trying to take anything away from what you've done. The panel looks well fitted and you've done a very nice job and I feel really bad for saying this but....

The steering lock is legaly required. It doesn't have to actually run the ignition and starter but there must be a mechanical immobilisation method in the steering or transmission, that's why all cars have one and why it is secured with shear bolts. And since it is dangerous to be able to lock the steering with the engine running the immobiliser lock generally controls the ignition system too. You may find your insurance won't like this mod. Sorry. I'm just giving you the information, what you decide to do with it is up to you.

[*Raz*]

ooooooooooooo fun!!





Raz xXx

[chunkomunko]

Looks sound, but it's not gonna save you any time/effort is it, if you have to go all around the car?
Looks the nuts though

Its not about time and effort its just cool!

[chunkomunko]

You aren't going to want to hear this right now and I'm not trying to take anything away from what you've done. The panel looks well fitted and you've done a very nice job and I feel really bad for saying this but....

The steering lock is legaly required. It doesn't have to actually run the ignition and starter but there must be a mechanical immobilisation method in the steering or transmission, that's why all cars have one and why it is secured with shear bolts. And since it is dangerous to be able to lock the steering with the engine running the immobiliser lock generally controls the ignition system too. You may find your insurance won't like this mod. Sorry. I'm just giving you the information, what you decide to do with it is up to you.

Mmmmm!

Thanks for pointing this out Dan........I may hold on to that ignition lock after-all incase anyone says anything! Is this a mod I have to declare to my insurance??? Is my car still legal tender?

PS. you should feel bad for saying it.

PPS. Hang on!! My mates kit cars ain't got steering locks and have push starts! Or is it different for Kit cars and cars off the production line??

Edited by chunkomunko, 29 April 2007 - 10:09 PM.

[Dan]

A section was added to the construction and use regulations during World War 2 to require all vehicles to have a mechanical immobiliser fitted to prevent them being driven and used by any invading Nazis (believe it or not that is originally why the law was there). It is considered that this is still good in order to prevent crime, and in fact more modern cars require electronic immobilisers in addition to mechanical ones. It still exists in the construction and use regs which in theory apply to all vehicles on the road. It may be that more recently registered cars can have either mechanical or electronic systems and the kit cars are using alarm/immobiliser systems to do the work. If it was required they wouldn't get through the SVA without it. If the law has been changed to a choice between electronic and mechanical systems, it was done after your car was built so the older regs apply to you sadly.

All mods from standard should be declared to your insurer.

[chunkomunko]

Ok thanks for the info dan.

I will have a little search around for abit for info then decide what to do!

I will phone the insurance company tomorrow about the mod.

Cheers mate

Chunko

[marksmini]

dans the mans...

is there any way to get around this as this is what im doing on my van you see.could i not make something up to say incert a pin to lock off the steering if needed?

[Dan]

You could do but there is always the danger of being able to run the engine with the immobiliser engaged. Driving with no steering is bad. This is why the key that locks the steering is also the one that runs the ignition on manufactured cars. I don't know if there is a way around it as such but many people do fit these panels without bothering to do anything about having a lock at all. I don't know where you would stand if you removed it and it was declared to the insurers, I suppose as long as they accept it then you are covered whether it is technically legal or not. I'm not sure.

[The Matt]

How come my mini doesnt have a barrel on the column? It has the ignition barrel in the centre panel, there is no mechanical steering lock at all. It certainly looks OE.

[Jammy]

I was about to say the early mini has a push button starter, not sure if they retained a ignition barrel/steering column lock though?

[Dan]

I was thinking about this earlier on. The early Minis (and lots of other contemporary cars) didn't have steering locks as you say. I am pretty sure that when the steering lock was added to the Mini it was done because it had to be so that would mean it was introduced sometime in the '60s. At roughly the same time lots of other cars added steering or gearstick locks. I don't know how it was handled before that but I am sure you were required to immobilise your car during the war. Hmm, I may have to look further into this because I'm curious now.

[The Matt]

I wasn't challenging, just asking.
For reference mine is a '71 so it'd be nice to know if it requires one or not.

[Guess-Works.com]

MK3's should have a steering lock...

Maybe FREAK is more of a freak than you first thought... with MK2 bits