71 westy with push button start

[challomoner]

Hi, my dad has a 71 westy that has a push button start under the driver seat, he says his owners manual shows this so it must be factory? I've never heard of this before is it a thing?

He is getting old and would prefer to not have to bend down to push the starter so I want to convert it to a standard type ignition.

His ignition only turns 2 clicks, it doesn't have the spring loaded start function. Can anyone please advise on what parts we will need to convert this to standard key ignition start?

Thanks Barry

[Abscate]

It's not factory, and someone added it when the original ignition switch stopped spring back.

You need a new ignition switch, and then sort out the hacked wiring job (95% probability) of the push button switch
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.ssS!

[Wildthings]

This would be odd. Would like to see a copy of the owner's manual showing this, if its there.

[challomoner]

My dad was obviously having a senior moment, the manual shows no such thing as a push button start.

So I'm needing a new ignition switch.

Thanks

[GfunkBus76]

Good luck, shouldn't be too hard. Nice of you to work on it with/for your dad!
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Gavin
1976 Westy - Customzation in slow-progress.
-8V TD swap
It Runs! -- http://youtu.be/kT5hOtwiOgk
And drives! - https://youtu.be/rVkoAgeOop0

[challomoner]

Thanks man. To be fair I couldn't let him do it on his own, its his first bus in 35 years. One of my earliest childhood memories is of my dad setting fire to his early bay panel van while working in the engine bay. It's best he doesn't get let loose on electrics or anything that could cause fire

[Ricache]

I think it's great your working on it with your dad too.

Advice - detach all battery connections before working on any electronics on any car.

Bad things can be as little as burned insulation/fried relay,etc to welding a ring one is wearing to metal to full electrocution/death.

Might even be a thread on it.



Have fun.
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'70 Westy
'70 Bug

[TDCTDI]

[panic_fan]

[challomoner]

[lil-jinx]

You could just move the push button switch to the dash to make it more accessible.
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1974 Bay Westfalia. she likes to be called Ethel.
1968 Dune Buggy
1974 parts bus
A smart man learns from his mistakes,a very smart man learns from other's mistakes.

[Ricache]

[challomoner]

That's a neat install above ^^^. I think for the sake of the price of a new ignition switch it's worth fixing correctly. Dads bus is a nice stock standard westy that hasn't been messed with too much over the years. Since he got it last year he's been slowly making it better, it's had a new 1776 built and fitted, couple of rust issues sorted out, new mustard seat covering for the rear and new original style chequered curtains.

Last area to finish is the cab, seats need covering and new door panels, I'm on the lookout for a better dash for it, getting the ignition back to standard will finish it off properly.

This is the bus when he just bought it

[Abscate]

Thats a much better fix than all the hacked 'hot start relays' done here - code for 'I fixed my bad wiring by adding more bad wiring' jobs.
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.ssS!