I am really upset☹️ seven years my little Pick Up has not thrown any wobblies or let me down. Until this morning!

Parked up a few days ago but on starting the engine this morning, no warning lights came on when I put the ignition switch to position 2. But, on position 3, the engine turns over very fast (I have a hi gear starter fitted) but it fails to start. Thinking it might be the dreaded ignition switch issue, I pulled it out and it looks fine (indeed it worked fine before), checked voltage on the live feed - 12.9V (obviously a good voltage there as the motor turns over...) manually connected the 12V to the ignition wire and still no ignition lights...checked all fuses are ok. Battery is new two weeks ago and well charged. All the wiring is as the day it left the factory.

My only worry is relay R7. I only have a few relays in the panel as the car is a Pick Up and pretty basic, but one of them, R7, is listed in the manual as ignition switch unloader relay (X-relay) - what pray does this relay do, does anyone know?

I searched as best I could but could not find anything that resembles this problem. It is pretty clear that 12V is not getting to the box that opens up everything. I am currently looking for a wiring diagram without much joy but will continue. If anyone can pin point this problem, I 'd be very grateful!

Panic over! I spent the evening unseating and reseating each fuse and relay - and giving each relay a sharp knock! All this did not make any difference, but then playing with the switch, I noticed that if I pressed hard on the key and turned the key very slowly, the lights came on and promptly went off again... so, faulty switch!

Contact cleaner (no oil) will do nothing more than good in relays, switches, contacts etc.

Totally agree, and would have used some, but the trouble is that like so many things today, switches and relays are encased without any access! Yes, you can open up these ignition switches, but after my last attempt many moons ago with an Audi switch, never again..😂

Anyway - all good. Autodoc were their usual efficient selves, so with new switch fitted, back on the road as if nowt has happened..

Edited 5 December, 20255 Dec by Haladams

Hopefully this won't be the case for you but if you get more problems in the future with something similar in the same area don't think it can't be with a new part just because the part is new as some (many?) modern made parts can be crap or poorly or very poorly made and not be very reliable or work at all from new or not last as long as they should.

Autodoc may sell many different makes of the same part but that part may be made by the same manufacturers despite being in different brand label boxes or bags, and this can include some of the bigger older brand names.

For cleaning connectors and connections any electrical contact cleaning spray is a very good start, crud needs more effort sometimes. For moving parts a switch cleaning lubricant.

Just unplugging and plugging back in multiple times (electric supply disconnected or isolated) can clean up some old connectors and for switches with moving part(s) that are infrequently used rapidly switching through their range of movement a dozen or so times can often clear and loosen them up enough for a temporary sort of the issue at least.

Good luck.