Valeo "universal" ignition switch - wiring help

[bx_pallas]

The original switch has a brown connector (4 red wires) whitch fits directly behind the connector with the two very thick black wires behind the relays, and a white connector (4 white wires) behind the brown one (and slightly left of it).

The 4 positions on the brown connector are all equally permanent +12V (switch input), the 4 positions on the white connector (behind the brown) are the switched outputs from the ign. switch to power the accessories, ignition, starter motor.

What the bx's junction box needs:
Looking at the white connector of the ign. switch (3rd row from the relays, 4th from right), pins numbered from #1 to#4 from right to left:
- Key position 1 (only accessories on, no engine): +12V only at #1 and #2
- Key position 2 (driving): +12V only at #1, #2 and #4
- Key position 3 (engine start): +12V only at #3 and #4
- Key position "off": no +12V anywhere


Pin #1 (the very right) goes to the accessories over Fuse F3,
#2 goes to the acessories over Fuse F2
#3 goes to the starter motor
#4 (the very left) goes to the fuel shutoff valve, preglow and Fuse F1 (rev. counter, etc.)

[garethj]

I think we're getting there - thank you!

Feed to the ignition switch is through the black connector (brown on the car harness). The car's harness has 4 wires going in but the new switch has 2 at the connector which go into 1 wire at the ignition barrel.

You're spot on for the outputs, so I've got:

Green wire - accessory position
Yellow wire - ignition position
Orange wire - crank position

The green wire is doubled up in the harness, and there's also a spur wire for the ABS from it.

Looking at the Haynes manual....

Connector position 1 goes to ABS, indicators, brake and reversing lights. Also electric windows, washers and cig lighter. Is that the accessories wire?

Connector position 2 goes to ABS, indicators, brake and reversing lights. Also warning lights, alternator or starter motor or radiator fan (would be handy to know which). Is that the ignition wire?

Connector position 3 goes only to alternator or starter or radiator fan, but I don't know which. I'll guess that's the crank wire?

Connector position 4 goes to ABS, indicators, brake and reversing lights. Also warning lights, alternator or starter motor or radiator fan (would be handy to know which) which is similar to Connector position 2. But it also goes to a huge bolt of lightning, a spark plug (maybe?) and a calculator.

Of those 4 above, do you think:
Connector position 4 is ignition?
Connector position 3 is crank?
The other two are doubled from the same wire, so they're interchangeable.

[garethj]

Pin #1 (the very right) goes to the accessories over Fuse F3,
#2 goes to the acessories over Fuse F2
#3 goes to the starter motor
#4 (the very left) goes to the fuel shutoff valve, preglow and Fuse F1 (rev. counter, etc.)

I think that makes sense too. With that in mind, and my confused findings above it looks like the wires were 180 degrees out in the connector plug.

I've swapped them over inside the plug but it's a bit dark to get out there now and go hunting for those connectors in the footwell, so I'll have a go tomorrow.

Thank you, everyone!

[bx_pallas]

Yep, pos. 1 and 2 is accessory (green), pos. 3 is crank (orange), and pos. 4 is ignition (yellow). Acessory (1+2) should be off while cranking.

Don't confuse yourself with the haynes manual, it doesnt have the wiring diagram of the distibution box!

When my ignition switch died a few years ago, I created a little replacement circuit with two simple rockers for switching accessories and ignition and a button for cranking. The 4 positions of the white connector are switched over 4 standard relays and a 5th relay opening the acessory circuit while cranking. Cranking is only possible when ignition is on, and ignition is only possible when acessory is also on, so the circuit behaves exactly like the orig. ignition switch...
(Of course I also removed the steering lock pin for safety reasons, because you can now drive with no key in the lock)

[garethj]

Thanks for everyone's help - I've just tried the new wiring configuration and it works. Now to put everything back together....

[Way2go]

Treat yourself to a beer!

[garethj]

Thanks! And I'll treat the car to not being dumped on waste ground with a gallon of unleaded and box of matches

Everything went back together easily enough, but I must dig out some more Torx drivers for future use.

Thank you to everyone for the help, I don't know if it's the switch harness that was assembled wrong by Valeo or if the "universal" ignition switch isn't as universal as it makes out.

[kiwi]

When my ignition switch died a few years ago, I created a little replacement circuit with two simple rockers for switching accessories and ignition and a button for cranking. The 4 positions of the white connector are switched over 4 standard relays and a 5th relay opening the acessory circuit while cranking. Cranking is only possible when ignition is on, and ignition is only possible when acessory is also on, so the circuit behaves exactly like the orig. ignition switch...
(Of course I also removed the steering lock pin for safety reasons, because you can now drive with no key in the lock)

I would be interested in how that set up was done.

After much fluffing with the TRS ignition problem caused by loose connectors I now have sorted the TXD not to be outdone has started to show signs of key in ignition failure. So know not got many spares left a secondary system is needed.

[bx_pallas]

I would be interested in how that set up was done.

After much fluffing with the TRS ignition problem caused by loose connectors I now have sorted the TXD not to be outdone has started to show signs of key in ignition failure. So know not got many spares left a secondary system is needed.

This is how I did it. Switch 1 is for Accessories (key position 1), switch 2 is for ignition (key position 2), and the button cranks the engine. All 5 relays are original BX-parts (the black one with 5 pins comes from the air condition)
Happy tinkering!