How to Wire the Ignition Switch on a Triumph Spitfire

Loose wires under the dash can short out.

Wiring the ignition switch on a Triumph Spitfire requires some skill with electrical wiring and an understanding of simple circuits. British terminology for wire colors is different from American, so a slight translation may be necessary. Familiarity with the distributor, solenoid and fuse panel will be necessary. Close attention also must be paid to existing wiring as, each color has a designation. The average experienced weekend mechanic can wire up the ignition switch in about an hour.

Things You'll Need

• Safety glasses
• Wrench kit
• Screwdriver kit
• Pliers

Instructions

1. Put on the safety glasses. Using the wrench kit, remove the negative cable first so no wires hanging under the dash will cause trouble if they become shorted. Remove the positive cable from the battery in the same manner. Place the cables aside.

2. Find the ignition switch mounted on the dash. Remove the switch by turning the large ring on its front counterclockwise, using your fingers until it comes off. Pull the switch and any attached wires from under the dash. Examine the back. Find the numerals 1 through 6 on the back, and take note of the wires there.

3. Verify that the right color is on each terminal. Start with number 1, which should have a white/red wire on it. Verify that number 2 and 4 is brown. Verify the wires on each of the remaining terminals, which will have white on number 3, white/pink on number 5 and brown/red on number 6.

4. Find the proper colored wires among the loose wires under the dash, if there are no wires on the switch. Plug them onto the terminals on the ignition switch in the aforementioned order.

5. Run new wires in this order, using these colors to keep the Triumph color code, if the wires in the dash cannot be found. Run a white/red wire from number 1 to the solenoid and terminate on the vacant small terminal with the screwdriver or wrench kit. Run brown wires from numbers 2 and 4 to any vacant 20 amp fuse. Run a white wire from number 3 to the spade tip sticking out of the side of the distributor. Run a white /pink wire from number 5 to the radio. Leave number 6 vacant for future use.

6. Connect all black wires permanently attached to the switch to any wire that is in contact with the car body or the negative terminal on the battery.

References

• AutoMedia: Battery Replacement
• Popular Mechanics: Repairing Electrical Wiring