79 LBZ Ignition Switch

[Jim Fierst]

If I recall correctly some Fiat X1/9 ignition switch works on the Lancia Zagatos. Can anyone confirm this???

[Jim Keller]

Yes, the are exactly the same except the key says Fiat on it and the plug terminal is enough different you have to switch the wires over to the Lancia plastic connector. Fiat uses brown for the main power were Lancia uses green also, otherwise, the wire colors are the same. My 81 Coupe and a few Zags I re-sold had X1/9 switches in them. But keep in mind, I have only had one 79 and it was a rear ended total I bought from a junk yard strickly to strip for parts, so I can not say for sure the 79 switch is the same, my experiance is all with 75 and 76 and then 81 thru 82 Betas, I've never turned a wrench or screw driver on a 79 to repair one

[davidb]

There's a switch on E-Bay. Looks like a "factory" bag under the
switch in the picture, maybe NOS. Fit dunno . . .

[Jim Fierst]

Thanks Jim & David,
I checked out my switch and the red wire has no voltage so the switch is bad. I may ? have located a new one . Supposedly they are all the same for all the LB's imported. The one on Ebay is used and I won't chance one unless there is no other alternative. The Fiat ones made in are eastern Europe are bad enough new.

[Jim Keller]

Check with Matt and Marn Brannon, I would be willing to bet he has plenty of switches and maybe an original factory instead of the poor quality one you mentioned???

[Jim Fierst]

I just ordered a switch from Matt. I was mistaken in my previous post about the red wire. It is the starter solenoid wire and only hot when the switch is in the start position.
I am going to spend some time with the wiring diagrams today and plot out some of the wires.

[Jim Fierst]

Removing the old ignition switch in the 79 LBZ is a nightmare . The only way I could get it off was to diagonally saw through the mounting bolts. Thank goodness for an air powered hacksaw. They used a special bolt with a hex head that broke off at the perscribed torque leaving no way to grab the bolt. See picture below.

P.S. I just removed the bolts from the X1/9 switch and the have the torque off head I mentioned. They are going to be replaced with an Allen head.

[Jim Fierst]

I have wiring match up concerns .
The 79 LBZ had a jumpered blue w/ black off the black connected to a blue w black . The black connected to the black, a red connect to a red, a brown connected to a brown and a blue w/ black connected to the green with black.The brown and black are the hot wires going into the switch
The X1/9 switch has a black with a black jumper that should connect to the black and blue w/ black, a red to the red , a brown to the brown and a blue/with black to the green/with black . This does not jive with what you said about the brown to the green . Could the X switch be different than those you installed.

P.S. I hooked the wires up as I stated above and the proper circuits are where they should on the ignition switch including the start .

[Jim Keller]

Yes, I would be willing to bet colors could have changed some from year to year, maybe you have a different year switch than the ones I had been getting. Sounds like you got it though, that's great!