Just picked up a '77:

Chad C.

Chad C.

True Classic
I'm so damn excited to be staring at this car in my garage! It's weathered, but it's a rust-free California car that's running very well. It's stock, and almost everything works. Amazing...

This is my 7th Italian car, and my third with the Lampredi twin cam.

The sad news is that I seem to have lost its key! I don't generally lose things and I'm very frustrated... The car came with what looked to be a replacement ignition switch with matching key, but after tearing into the ignition of the car, I see they don't match. There also seems to have been some work done with the wiring going to the existing ignition switch (the one with the list key).

I'm unsure if the spare ignition came from a Beta or an X/19, I'll attempt to post pics of what I'm up against, but I'm not great with my iPhone/posting pics.

I have so many questions about my new project, but first things first, it needs a key! Thanks in advance for your help!

Anyone got what I need, or can otherwise help me out? Electrics are not a strength for me, so no fears of over-explaining...

http://https://imageshack.com/i/plbao0epj


http://https://imageshack.com/i/plbao0epj


http://https://imageshack.com/i/powHE5pfj


https://imageshack.com/i/pmyE6aTtj
 
Sorry about that, my 3 year old woke up from his nap as I was struggling with the pics.

After looking at it a little more it looks like someone wired in an auxiliary wire into the same space that the black wire is located where the ignition plugs into. Presumably for the super-sweet 8 track player, and/or power antenna that exist in the car. The brown wire was removed from the plug terminal and connected via its own connector to its counterpart.

I'm seeing that my replacement ignition switch lacks the two white wires that the existing ignition switch has. Research suggests that an ignition switch from a 1300 X/19 is the replacement I need, right?

I'm hoping I can get one and match up the wires by color, hopefully being able to just plug them in. If I'm right, any of y'all got a keyed 1300 X/19 ignition for sale?

I might just post a video of what I'm looking at...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5mbJIeafQU&feature=share

I think I've made sense of things, but by all means chime in with experience & knowledge!
 
Get a wiring diagram

You really need a wiring diagram to get things figured out. Lots of Spider and X1/9 diagrams are posted on-line, I'm not sure about X1/20.

I'm most familiar with X parts, and on the X, the two white wires were used to engage the key in chime. The early car didn't have one. Your car should run fine (better?) without the chime.

One popular mod is to add an additional "brown wire" from the battery directly to the ignition switch. The reason people did this is because early X1/9 didn't use relays on some high current consumption components - like headlights. Because of this is most of the current required to run the car went through the ignition switch, which overpowered it. The result was the life if the switch was shortened, and the one "brown wire" (power in from battery - non-fused) melted. Adding an additional "brown wire" helped to keep the brown wire from melting, but it didn't help the ignition switch. The fix is to add relays for high draw components such as headlights, power window motors, wipers, starter, etc. That way the ignition switch only has to supply enough current to power the relays, which helps it last longer. It can't hurt to add the additional brown wire (fused), but it may not be necessary if relays are added. Whatever you do, make sure all the connections are clean and tight. It looks like you could improve the ones you currently have on the ignition switch. You should find lots of info here on adding relays - it's really easy to do. Good luck.

BTW - There is also lots of good information available about re-building the ignition switch.
 
Much thanks for your response & knowledge. I googled for a wiring diagram, and I didn't find much that I could decipher.

I was encouraged to read that the two white wires weren't critical. I wired up the replacement switch that came with the car, matching each wire's colors, and I only get the starter motor. No coil, headlights, etc. I can't assume the spare switch that came with the car is operative, so I'll have to buy a replacement. Right now I'm broke from buying the car & trailering it home...

I can't believe how rust-free this thing is! I'm m going to need some bits & pieces, but nothing critical. The Vice Grips that pull the frunk release need a remedy, I need an e-brake boot, and the plastic side trim for the fender side of the right headlight. Oh, and an interior lock pull for the driver's door. That's about it.

I'm really looking forward to painting it over the winter.
 
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