With all the talk about anti-theft devices, I thought I'd explain the
factory device installed on my Elan. It is simply a Double Throw,
Double Pole switch (DPDT), which connects the ignition and horn
circuits. In the normal (off) position, every thing is, well,
normal. However, in the on position, the ignition and horn circuits
are cross wired. If you turn on the key, the horns (110db air horns)
go off and the ignition is dead. I imagine that if you held down the
horn button, the ignition would be on, but I never checked :-o Keep
in mind, that on my car, the thief would have to get past the locking
steering column to steal the car, but it's there anyway, and doesn't
cost much, and yes it's in the wiring diagrams because it's factory.
There are other quirks in the wiring of the car. When they added the
hazzard flasher circuit, they created a path to activate the ignition
without the key. It will draw your attention, and as I said, the
steering column is still locked, and the thief would have to deal
with me by that time ;->...
One other thing, years ago, when I first got my 64 TR4 (it was seven
years old at the time - you figure when it was) I learned that the
factory "hid" a spare set of keys in the left rear tail light
assembly. I took off the lens, and sure enough, the keys were taped
inside the assembly. Needless to say, I removed the keys and hid them
somewhere else. If you have a TR4 (maybe other Triumphs too) you
might want to check, if I know of the spare key, maybe other less
honest people do too....
Tim Mullen mullent@ymv5.ymp.gov Chantilly, VA
72 Elan Sprint "How long does it take to change a water pump on a
Lotus?" -- favorite comment by friends when a
complete restoration was started because of a
leaky water pump - talk about shipwrights disease...
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