Is my Sprint ignition switch faulty?

[Lotusian]

I’m nearing the end of my Sprint’s rebuild.
The ignition switch is column-mounted and is a Lucas 157SA, fitted on an earlier owner’s rebuild in 1988.
From what I understand, it should work as follows:
Position 0 - key in slot
Position 1 - supply to “accessories” (radio, cigarette lighter, horns)
Position 2 - supply to ignition and all other electrics
Position 3 - spring-loaded supply to starter via solenoid
My switch however does NOTHING in position 1.
I’ve checked the switch wiring and it’s correct per the wiring diagram (although the switch terminals are numbered 1,2,3,5 rather than 1,2,3,4 on the diagram).
Terminal 5 (otherwise 4) has the white/purple wire to the fuse box, which then has purple wires to the “accessories”, but doesn’t become live in position 1, only in position 2.
So, I’d appreciate some advice as to whether the switch is faulty, or are they all like that?

[pharriso]

See https://lotuselan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=24891

Will have to think about / check your position 1 issue, though I think I noticed the accesory position not working on both my old & new 157SA switches. I still have the old switch, so can check how it is wired internally.

[Craven]

Any help,
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=24891&start=

[pharriso]

Any help,
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=24891&start=

You posted another link to exactly the same thread as I did

[Craven]

Must be helpful info then.

[Lotusian]

Pharriso and Craven
Thanks for the link which confirms what the switch SHOULD do.
Could you please advise what yours actually do?
Ian

[Craven]

It seems possible that when the switch was mounted to the key barrel the rotating contact was in the wrong position.
There is also this link https://majcd213.blogspot.com/2016/11/i ... witch.html
Sorry can’t help further.

[pharriso]

Pharriso and Craven
.....
Could you please advise what yours actually do?
Ian

Went to see my car in storage yesterday & Yes the accesory position 1 works as expected, with Power to the Radio, Horn & Cigar lighter.

This topic piqued my interest, as I still have my old SA157 in pieces I thought I would see exactly how the switch worked internally. So here we go:

This is the molding with all of the contacts mounted. I have indicated the contact number on the sheet of paper & also marked the extent of that contact around the perimeter of the plate with black marker:

Now I place the contact piece into the assembly & show it in the postion (Position 0) that the key is inserted in or out:

Note how Terminal 2 is not in contact with any other Terminals

Now let's rotate the contact to Position 1:

Terminal 2 now provides power to Terminal 5 (Accesories)

Let's rotate to Position 2:

Terminal 2 now supplies Power to Terminals 3 (ignition ) & 5 (accesories)

One last turn to Position 3:

Terminal 2 Provides power to Terminals 3 (ignition) & 1 (Starter Motor / Crank)

The connectivity can be summarized below:

This is completely different from the Dash mounted ignition switch (SA147) where power is supplied on Terminal 1 & connects as follows:

Note also on the SA147 switch that the accesory position is anti-clockwise from the Key insertion position, wheras Run & start are clockwise from the key insertion position.

[Lotusian]

Pharriso and Craven
Thanks for all your help, as a result of which I have determined that, contrary to what I said earlier, my switch was wired incorrectly - terminals 2 and 3 were transposed. Having put this right, all now functions correctly.
Thanks a lot.
Ian

[Craven]

OK, Thanks for letting me know.

[pharriso]

Good to hear & just for emphasis the earlier Dash mounted ignition switch SA147 is wired completely differently than the later Column monted SA157 ignition lock....