Neil T Posted May 20, 2019 Report Share Posted May 20, 2019 Hello All, Well after many weeks of deliberating over a possible failing A type overdrive, I appear to have isolated the fault to yet another new dodgy overdrive column switch. I got the new switch whilst at the TR/MG Spares Day back in February this year and it lasted until now ! Bad contacts causing the OD to switch in and out any time it wanted to . At present I have isolated the column switch and run the OD wires to a switch on the H frame as a temporary measure. So my question is, does anybody know of any decent quality switches out there that are reliable and last longer that 3 months ? Thanks in advance. Neil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 20, 2019 Report Share Posted May 20, 2019 Hi Neil, sadly these 'Lucas' switches as made at a cost, a low cost. And as such their quality is interesting to say the least. Rather than buy show specials why not buy direct from the shop. Here is the Moss offering https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/switch-overdrive-rhd-147280.html Probably the same as what you bought at Stoneleigh. Buying from the shop allows you to send it back and back and back until you get that magic one that works. Also this would allow you to send through a Parts Quality Initiative form for us to start work on. https://www.tr-register.co.uk/pqi Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tim D. Posted May 20, 2019 Report Share Posted May 20, 2019 Mine failed during the round britain. I took it apart and a bit of metal bending and it seems much smoother. Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tim hunt Posted May 20, 2019 Report Share Posted May 20, 2019 +1 Neil. I wouldn't give up on trying to repair your original Lucas switch. Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neil T Posted May 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2019 Hi all, Thanks Roger for the info regarding the Parts Quality Initiative. I will certainly complete the form about this. The link to the OD Switch from Moss sadly looks like all the others, and very similar to the one that has just broken, but I do heed what you say about being able to return it, unlike the show purchase. Tim D..... I will certainly have a go at trying to repair / improve the OD switch..nothing to lose., but does look rather sealed unit apart from the open end where you can see the contacts. Tim Hunt..... sadly and very annoyingly my original switch was thrown out during a garage tidy up. My fault for putting it together with some old electrical parts. Thanks for all the info tough... appreciated as always. Neil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted May 20, 2019 Report Share Posted May 20, 2019 Like a lot of owners of older vehicles, I now sadly regret the parts I've thrown over the years during garage clean ups. A lot of the Lucas stuff on sale now makes the old "Prince of Darkness" products of 40-50 years ago look top quality. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 21, 2019 Report Share Posted May 21, 2019 Hi Mike, you certainly hit the nail on the head there. Lucas has always come in for a lot of criticism etc. If their headlights were so poor (Prince of darkness ) then why didn't others manufacture Xenon, HID or LED units. Basically Lucas did what technology allowed. Most of their 50, 60 70 year old parts can to this day be taken apart and last another many decades. Sadly the money grabbing toads with attachments to the old Lucas name are selling junk around the world in the Lucas name. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cubehopper Posted May 21, 2019 Report Share Posted May 21, 2019 Sadly that seems to be the way of the world in the 21st century, and not just limited to car parts. highest retail price achieved minus cheapest manufacturing cost expenditure equals maximum profit. luvvly jubbly, as Del boy would say. Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted May 21, 2019 Report Share Posted May 21, 2019 19 hours ago, Neil T said: Hi all, Thanks Roger for the info regarding the Parts Quality Initiative. I will certainly complete the form about this. Neil Hi Neil, this will make you the “Forum Hero of the Day” When we all fill in more PQI forms when a part fails early or misbehaves in another way, the vendors can be convinced to push the manufacturers. I raised only one PQI form so far (shame on me), but it was dealt with by the PQI team in a constructive manner, and I received feddback. As a result, one supplier checked and corrected his stocks, but another ignored it. Needless to say I never ordered from that supplier again. Waldi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
astontr6 Posted May 22, 2019 Report Share Posted May 22, 2019 23 hours ago, RogerH said: Hi Mike, you certainly hit the nail on the head there. Lucas has always come in for a lot of criticism etc. If their headlights were so poor (Prince of darkness ) then why didn't others manufacture Xenon, HID or LED units. Basically Lucas did what technology allowed. Most of their 50, 60 70 year old parts can to this day be taken apart and last another many decades. Sadly the money grabbing toads with attachments to the old Lucas name are selling junk around the world in the Lucas name. Roger Hi Roger! The O/D switch on the TR6 has always been a bit suspect and of limited life! I have had at least 4 in 45 tears of TR ownership all with the same fault? The ops lever goes limp! Then the o/d jumps in and out, as it has a mind of its own. They are not that bad but the Clear Hooters windscreen/washer switch replacement for a CR TR6 from Moss is super ****! I have had 5 in 5 years! My last one has lasted more than a year! I thought that this is where the TR Spares Development Fund should take over? Bruce. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 22, 2019 Report Share Posted May 22, 2019 Hi Bruce, PM sent Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveN Posted May 22, 2019 Report Share Posted May 22, 2019 A major part of the problem is people not willing to pay for quality. They expect prices that are commensurate with the age of the car. I’d willingly pay for a quality part ..... buy cheap buy twice as they say! And yep I've been caught out with a **** overdrive switch too! The wiper switch after looking at one .... I managed to get an original.... still in its tatty box! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neil T Posted April 12, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2021 Just restarting this topic in case anyone is interested.. So after MUCH hunting around on the internet I came across an Overdrive Column Switch used in the Volvo P1800 which is actually quite similar to the one in the TR6. The stalk is angled exactly the same as the TR original, and is in black. The difference being the knob on the end, the Volvo one being a round shape as opposed to the 'flatter' one on the TR. The nut is also much larger where is is secured into the plastic column shroud. I had to (very gently !!) angle grind the body of the switch to reduce its size so that it fitted into the back of the TR shroud, and also carefully remove some of the excess plastic inside the shroud, including enlarging the hole. With a bit of careful manipulation the Volvo switch thread protruded through the hole so then managed to get a grip with the nut. A bit a neat rewiring and it is good to go. The switch has a much more positive, reassuring 'click to it when operated. I purchased the switch from a Volvo specialist in Germany, although I see that they can be found sometimes on that well known auction site ! I have attached a couple of photos. If anyone is interested I can PM you the Supplier details and the exact part number Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted April 12, 2021 Report Share Posted April 12, 2021 8 minutes ago, Neil T said: Just restarting this topic in case anyone is interested.. So after MUCH hunting around on the internet I came across an Overdrive Column Switch used in the Volvo P1800 which is actually quite similar to the one in the TR6. The stalk is angled exactly the same as the TR original, and is in black. The difference being the knob on the end, the Volvo one being a round shape as opposed to the 'flatter' one on the TR. The nut is also much larger where is is secured into the plastic column shroud. I had to (very gently !!) angle grind the body of the switch to reduce its size so that it fitted into the back of the TR shroud, and also carefully remove some of the excess plastic inside the shroud, including enlarging the hole. With a bit of careful manipulation the Volvo switch thread protruded through the hole so then managed to get a grip with the nut. A bit a neat rewiring and it is good to go. The switch has a much more positive, reassuring 'click to it when operated. I purchased the switch from a Volvo specialist in Germany, although I see that they can be found sometimes on that well known auction site ! I have attached a couple of photos. If anyone is interested I can PM you the Supplier details and the exact part number Theyre extremely expensive on Ebay! Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neil T Posted April 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2021 Hi Stuart, The one I purchased from the German company was £134, inc postage etc., which yes I agree is more than the usual £35 or so, however my thoughts were that I had already gone through 3x TR6 ones @ about £35 quid each all failing, so paying out for one that appears to be much better quality (with sealed innards, no contacts on show) would hopefully last longer, fingers crossed. I get to a point sometimes when I just just think I want something to actually work and stay working. Will update on here if it goes wrong ! Neil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted April 13, 2021 Report Share Posted April 13, 2021 8 minutes ago, Neil T said: Hi Stuart, The one I purchased from the German company was £134, inc postage etc., which yes I agree is more than the usual £35 or so, however my thoughts were that I had already gone through 3x TR6 ones @ about £35 quid each all failing, so paying out for one that appears to be much better quality (with sealed innards, no contacts on show) would hopefully last longer, fingers crossed. I get to a point sometimes when I just just think I want something to actually work and stay working. Will update on here if it goes wrong ! Neil Fair comment, it used to be a saying years ago when I had the Jaguar restoration business "Got a problem, throw money at it!" and TBH it still applies these days too. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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