Ignition switch or relay?

Hi all, I hope someone can help, my 200tdi Defender has developed a fault in that when it's running and you want to stop the engine, you turn the key to off position and it keeps running. All the dash lights stay on when the key is removed. The only way to make them go out is to disconnect the battery. When the battery is reconnected all the dash lights come on again without the key in place, and the engine will start if the key is then inserted and turned as normal. Because of this I was inadvertantly driving it with the ignition key in off position and the engine suddenly cut out, showing this is an intermittent fault. Does it sound like the starter relay or the ignition switch that is faulty? Many thanks Hammer

Ignition switch.

Ignition switch is held onto the ignition barral with two tiny screws.
Fiddly job but a new switch is cheap- make a note of which wire goes where!
The job is easier if you use a cold chisel to knock the shear bolts undone and remove the barral/switch complete.

Flossie said:

Ignition switch is held onto the ignition barral with two tiny screws.
Fiddly job but a new switch is cheap- make a note of which wire goes where!
The job is easier if you use a cold chisel to knock the shear bolts undone and remove the barral/switch complete.

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Thanks, I take it that means pulling the entire dash?

blue beasty said:

Ignition switch.

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Thanks

Hammer6580 said:

Thanks, I take it that means pulling the entire dash?

Click to expand...

I did mine many many years ago and didn't remove the shear bolts but I had to remove the clocks and the column shrouds and it was a right fiddle made a little easier by removing my non standard steering wheel too.
I'm not sure but from memory, removing the column shrouds and removing the shear bolts should possibly be all that's needed.
Check for heat damage on the cables at the switch, a couple of mine were melted together on the glow plug circuit.

Oh OK doesn't sound too bad, thanks for that