Neeka Posted June 8 Report Posted June 8 Hi everyone, I am trying to source a very specific and rare ignition switch (electrical contact part) for my 1982 Toyota Corolla KE70 (LHD, DX, 4K engine). My car came with the European supplier NEIMAN ignition assembly. The switch is a black/grey plastic cylinder with 4 wires (gray, brown, red, white), and has the casting code 1 G 1 25 on it. (https://imgur.com/a/KVZahPr) I didn't eve found a picture of it online. Does anyone have any advice on where to find one? Thanks in advance! Quote
altezzaclub Posted June 9 Report Posted June 9 Do you think that was a factory part when the car was new? ..or has someone fitted a European ignition system to it afterwards? If you're lucky its a common Neiman part shared with other cars in the 80s, so you could get a second-hand one in good condition, or a new one from another one-make car club. There are Ferrari ones for sale... Do you know what America used? The column should be the same as yours. Which part do you desperately need, and can you substitute wiring and contacts from generic electrical parts? How's your French? https://mtparts.fr/product-categorie/japanse-tractor-parts/suzue/electrical-parts-suzue/ 1 Quote
Banjo Posted June 10 Report Posted June 10 (edited) It appears to me; from your photos, that it may be, that the ignition switch itself is OK, but the plug in connector & socket that connects the ignition switch to the car's wiring harness, is corroded & unserviceable. I may well be, that if you cut off the plug & socket, & substituted another generic plug & socket; or simply connected/soldered the wires together, without the plugs & sockets; then maybe the car will work perfectly. As You have the ignition switch out; You could test that the contacts inside the ignition switch connect OK, with a simple multimeter, or a battery & test light. Even if that is a temporary measure, to get you going again; it would then allow You time to search UK, French & German ebay sites, & see if anything comes up when looking for Neiman ignition barrels. Even if You can't connect it up, without the plugs & sockets; then any good auto electrician, should be able to do that for you, & get You mobile. Cheers Banjo Edited June 10 by Banjo 1 Quote
Neeka Posted June 10 Author Report Posted June 10 On 6/9/2026 at 6:12 AM, altezzaclub said: Do you think that was a factory part when the car was new? ..or has someone fitted a European ignition system to it afterwards? If you're lucky its a common Neiman part shared with other cars in the 80s, so you could get a second-hand one in good condition, or a new one from another one-make car club. There are Ferrari ones for sale... Do you know what America used? The column should be the same as yours. Which part do you desperately need, and can you substitute wiring and contacts from generic electrical parts? How's your French? https://mtparts.fr/product-categorie/japanse-tractor-parts/suzue/electrical-parts-suzue/ "Do you think that was a factory part when the car was new? ..or has someone fitted a European ignition system to it afterwards?" I'm not sure. The car was bought back in the 90s and, as far as I know, nothing was changed after that. Before then, who knows? I'm guessing this is the original one. "If you're lucky its a common Neiman part shared with other cars in the 80s, so you could get a second-hand one in good condition, or a new one from another one-make car club. There are Ferrari ones for sale..." "Do you know what America used? The column should be the same as yours." I'll look into that. I haven't really had the time to research which cars used the same part, or a similar one. Thanks! "Which part do you desperately need, and can you substitute wiring and contacts from generic electrical parts?" I'm looking for the ignition switch wiring, and now also the ignition lock cylinder. I'm trying to track down the cause of the starting problem. Thanks for the answers, and for the link! Cheers! Quote
Neeka Posted June 10 Author Report Posted June 10 18 hours ago, Banjo said: It appears to me; from your photos, that it may be, that the ignition switch itself is OK, but the plug in connector & socket that connects the ignition switch to the car's wiring harness, is corroded & unserviceable. I may well be, that if you cut off the plug & socket, & substituted another generic plug & socket; or simply connected/soldered the wires together, without the plugs & sockets; then maybe the car will work perfectly. As You have the ignition switch out; You could test that the contacts inside the ignition switch connect OK, with a simple multimeter, or a battery & test light. Even if that is a temporary measure, to get you going again; it would then allow You time to search UK, French & German ebay sites, & see if anything comes up when looking for Neiman ignition barrels. Even if You can't connect it up, without the plugs & sockets; then any good auto electrician, should be able to do that for you, & get You mobile. Cheers Banjo To be honest, I'm not sure what is the problem. This is the first car I work on, and the problem is the starter just clicks. I thought it must be the starter, so I took it to the mechanic. He cleaned it, after that clicked for a few times and then started, so there was no change, i was like okay it's not a big problem i just ignore it. It was okay for like 3 months, but then the click were more frequent, I bought a new starter. And just like the old one, it just clicks then start. For a few days it was okay, then it doesn't even start, even after i put back the old one. So I thought it has to be the cables. So there I am right now. I cleaned the battery cables, but the same happens. It doesn't start. The dash is working. The battery is working. The only thing I noticed, I sorted the cables and the fan for the cooling turned on. But when I tried from the ignition switch, the fan doesn't move. I don't know if it's just because I sorted the cables, but maybe I'm in the correct direction now. And also i will try the multimeter and soldering the wires together. Thanks for the answers! Cheers! Quote
Banjo Posted June 10 Report Posted June 10 Hi Neeka, With your added advice that it starts "sometimes", indicates it is either a simple wiring breakdown issue; or a start relay or issue with the starter motor itself. If it was me, I'dd attack the problem from both angles. (A) Remove the starter motor, & have it tested by an auto-electrician. The most common issue is that the starter carbon brushes have worn to the point, where one of them is barely making contact. An auto-electrician can also trim the commutator, to ensure it is perfectly "round" . Sometimes the brushes wear; to the point, where one has lost contact with the commutator. (B) The ignition switch wiring & plug & socket looks suspect, from your photos. That could well produce the intermittent, starting; that You are reporting. Even if You don't have a multimeter, a simple "trouble lamp" can let You see where the +12 volt power, is not getting through, when You turn the ignition key on; then to the start position. If you work it out yourself, you will be all the wiser, when it is final identified & fixed permanently. Good Luck; & let us know what You find. Cheers Banjo Quote
altezzaclub Posted June 10 Report Posted June 10 (edited) " the starter just clicks." One click per key turn is the solenoid not putting power through, or the starter motor itself. Lots of clicks per key turn is a bad battery. I doubt it is in the key. Pull your spare starter solenoid apart, you will have to unsolder one wire coming out of the metal casing. Inside are two heavy copper contacts, the heads of the bolts where the cables go on. In the main part is a heavy copper bar that slams back and joins one contact to the other. They get burnt away from the sparking due to the 300amps going through them, so clean them up if black and burnt, then put a spring washer under the head of each and put it back in. Now you have pushed them closer to the bar and they should make good contact. https://www.autocornerd.com/where-do-the-wires-go-on-a-starter-solenoid/ "and the fan for the cooling turned on." ...and sort that problem out so it doesn't turn on by itself and flatten the battery. Edited June 10 by altezzaclub Quote
altezzaclub Posted June 11 Report Posted June 11 `Ah, another click might be when the starter solenoid engages, throws the gear into the flywheel, but the teeth don't mesh. This comes from the motor usually stopping in the same place when you turn it off, so one small area of teeth on the flywheel get worn out, and the pitch is wrong for the starter motor gear to work & they jam. Sometimes the gears get stuck together and you have to turn the car motor backwards to free them, sometimes they free themselves when you let the key off and maybe start the next try. Its a different, much heavier click to a poor solenoid contact click as the solenoid gear is slamming into the flywheel, so you should see if you can feel or see that gear move. Quote
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