30 replies to this topic

[Kernal H]

... I'm pretty sure my friends series 2 landy doesn't have a steering lock. That's 1973... and the ignition barrel is in the dash. If you need to lock either the steering or gears then there's locks that keep it in (or out) or gear and lock the handbrake, still techniqually an imosibliser (thatcham cat 3 i THINK). Might even make car insurance cheaper!

[The Matt]

MK3's should have a steering lock...

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

She am de FReaKiest!

Dunno, unless earlier MK3's were different to later ones? She's got a magic wand plate and did have a remote gearbox too. All of the switches (well, the two of em) are in the centre, along with the ignition barrel.

Perhaps Ze FReaK has been tweaked.

Hang on, I've really hi-jacked this thread. I apologise!

[James_1]

You call that a starter button? This is a starter button!
http://cgi.ebay.co.u...1QQcmdZViewItem

[Phaeton]

You call that a starter button? This is a starter button!
http://cgi.ebay.co.u...1QQcmdZViewItem

mmmmmmm think you wil find that that is a Triumph Spitfire starter button & not off a Spitfire plane if that is what you were thinking.

Alan...

[James_1]

Been bidding on a few, it is off a plane! There are always a few on eBay.

[blackbelt1990]

Wasn't there a thing during the war that you hat to disconnect HT leads and such to stop your car from going.... Think I remember hearing that when I used to do history??

Ryan

[chunkomunko]

Wow!!

Sparked Quite a debate here!

I had a chat with my mate today and he said B*ll*cks. So now i'm even more confused!?!

Its still seems strange not using a key!! I always go to take it out.....

[Dan]

Well I've just spent a while trying to dig up the actual law on this because there has been enough speculation both by myself and others. The last time there was a complete new set of Motor Vehicles (Construction And Use) Regulations was 1986 it seems but you can only download laws from 1987 onwards. So I can get all the later amendments to the regs but not the regs themselves and there is no mention of primary immobilisation (which I now gather is what this concerns) in any of the amendments, meaning I would have to go back to the original regs which I can't get.

This:

Item 1) Anti theft device.

In addition to the normal ignition switch the vehicle must be permanently fitted with a device to prevent the vehicle being driven or moved under its own power. This device should NOT operate on a part of the braking system and cannot be activated with the engine running. Nor can the engine be started without the device having been deactivated and its operation must be distinct and separate from stopping the engine..

The basic interpretation is that a column with a steering lock will do the job or anything else that only activates when the key is removed rather than just turning the engine off ie immobilisers where the key is the final coded link. It is also possible that a ‘credit card ‘ type pre ignition circuit immobiliser would meet this criteria meaning a steering lock would not have to be fitted.

A key operated battery kill switch should also be ok.

is the version of the same regulation and some interpretation of it from the SVA test. Assuming that the law from the regs is the same (which is a big assumption) it seems that you could be OK if you fit a Dis-car-nect type device in the boot. I would avoid one of the FIA type plastic key switch devices for reasons of reliability that I have mentioned in other threads.

For the moment that seems to be the closest to the truth that I can get. I will have another go tomorrow.

[Jammy]

Ahhhhhh, the penny drops! I didn't mentiont this up til now, but I don't have the ignition barrel/steering column lock, and I was wondering how it got through the MOT the past two years. My MOT guy is usually spot on. But I have a red key type battery kill switch, the one you don't recommend!

Well, I did have, til I sold the car!

[Dan]

Jammy, you of all people should know that the MOT does not check that your car is road legal. Only that is is safe to drive on the day it is tested. It is the law that all vehicles on the road (which includes more than the public highway) comply with the construction and use regs which cover far more than the MOT does. It is the drivers responsibility to ensure that whatever they are driving is legal.

[Jammy]

Ahhh, I didn't think I'd seen it in the MOT manual! And yes, I know the MOT doesn't ensure your car is road legal!

[The Matt]

Dan, thanks for taking the time to clarify all of this!

[CanadianMiniFan]

my mini is a '72, so an early mk3, and it has switches (old style) in the centre, and then right in the middle is a blank hole.....converted to steering coloumn me thinks. I was thinking this, as it had all the old equipment in the centre, without the later style brake buttons etc, but a coloumn mounted ignition is on it. can somebody explain?

[who_loves_the_mini?]

This is something i want to fit as i have keyles entry to the car so it would mean i wouldnt have to use the key at all, would look quite cool when i give people lifts.

[chunkomunko]

Thanks for all your efforts looking into this topic Dan, it seems alot of people are interested in whats legal and not.

Its great to have a person such as yourself on a busy forum to dig deeper into questions. Nice one!


Push starts are ace!