Triumph Repair: Ignition, phillips head screws, metal tabs

Question
I have a 73 TR-6. I have replaced plugs, coil, distrib. cap, rotor wires etc. Set the dwell. Ignition switch needs to turn a couple of times before it catches..starts and runs fine, turn off ignition switch and car continues to run as if nothing happened...I have to pop off + battery cable to stop engine...did I wire something wrong? This is not the typical after ignition firing...engine just keeps running full speed when ignition is switched off.

Answer
Joe,

There is an electrical switch connected to the ignition lock assembly.   Usually held on by 2 really small phillips head screws.

The electrical switch is held together with a couple of bent over metal tabs on the front part of the casing.  After several decades it's not unusual for the tabs to bend or break.  When that happens you get intermittent connections to start the car, and I guess potentially to stop it.

Next time you go to start the car, connect a voltmeter to the + terminal on the coil.  See if when you turn the switch on you see +12v before trying to start.  

Then when you go to shut the car off see if you still see voltage on the voltmeter.


Cheers,

Jim