Wtb: Ignition switch

heroszeros

Active Member
Messages
67
Reaction score
4
Location
san diego,ca
Hey i'm a new owner of a 71 2800cs and have encountered my first real problem. The ignition switch came apart on me today and the car is out of commission. Does anybody have one for sale or advice? The housing has some dents in it so it looks like it was previously repaired.
 

verde2002

Well-Known Member
Site Donor
Messages
1,044
Reaction score
61
Location
Los Angeles
I also had the exact same issue recently and the advice I got from a member which is below helped me fix my ignition switch. Expect to pay about $200 for it. Surprisingly the part number is still available from BMW NA and I purchased mine from my local BMW dealer and they had it to me in two days.


The piece that has the soldered wires to it, is crimped on to the switch cylinder that is likely still inside your steering column. That assembly is held on by a very tiny grub or set screw. Jewelers sized flat head. A picture of the switch is depicted in the diagram below. No 5 is the grub screw and 7 is the switch assembly ( 61321355148 )The switch is available, but can be pricey. The switch is separate from the key and lock assembly, meaning the only thing that you might have to replace is the switch. Per the additional picture, across from the purple wire is the hole that receives the grub screw. Look carefully.

You still may be able to salvage things. You indicate you have an 02. The switch removal is much the same in the two models, so you might want to look at the 02. The switch design is similar too. (Wire lengths and end connections are different).

Before doing anything else, compose yourself, and with some decent lighting and maybe even a magnet, look to where the parts came apart and may have landed. (If the grease was gooey enough, the grease may have retained a few of those parts in the steering column.) From memory, there are two angled or bent metal tabs that fit into the brown/black bakelite and perhaps two or three springs (similar to those found on ballpoint pens). I think you are looking for 4 or 5 parts in all. If you locate these things, it is a very simple operation to press fit everything back together.


Good luck.
 
Last edited:

heroszeros

Active Member
Messages
67
Reaction score
4
Location
san diego,ca
hey thanks for your advice- i removed the lower cover from the steering column and was able to gather all (i hope) of the the bits which came apart and stitch it all back together. she's back to running but i think ill be buying a new part just to have peace of mind-
 
Top