differences in ignition switches

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:29 am

hi,

my '84 633csi (us) starts acting up and i narrowed it down to the ignition switch.
apparently the '83-'84 633csi switch is different then all the years before and after (according to realoem etc.) - and steve lists it as $110 instead of about $75 for all the other ign.sw. - does anybody know why?

cheers,
michael

Chris Wright · Post by **Chris Wright** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 3:04 pm

Interesting, I knew there were two different switches, but didn't know that there might be three.

What is your build date (or VIN?)

Chris Wright · Post by **Chris Wright** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 5:10 pm

As I am sure you are aware, the 6 series shares a lot of parts with the 5 series. Up to 9/82, it shared with the e12, after that, the e28. But not everything is shared, this is one of those parts that is e24 only. It seems that the wiring changed.

There appears to be 5 switches:
(Caution: The usage is approximate, look up your part number)

61 32 1 355 701 (supersedes 61 32 1 355 147) is from 9/77 to 9/78 in the 633 (US Spec.) and in many of the Euros. ($175 [Sale $166] SO at AutoHausAz, - $137 at PelicanParts, - $108 at GetBMWParts)

___________

Part No. 61 32 1 366 107 is from 9/78 to 8/82 and is also used in the e12 ($74.49 at AutoHausAz - $74.50 at PelicanParts, - $46 at GetBMWParts)

___________

Part No. 61 32 1 372 931 is from 9/82 to ?/84 ('83/'84 633) and is only used in the e24 ($147 [Sale $132] at AutoHausAz, - $144 at PelicanParts, - $85 at GetBMWParts)
(There is also the substitute switch from an '83/'84 528e - See below - $81 at AutoHaus)

___________

Part No. 61 32 1 376 358 is from 8/84 to 9/85 ('85 635) ($NA at AutoHausAz, - $58 at PelicanParts, - $53.29 at GetBMWParts, - $39.82 at bmwmercedesparts.com)
___________

(61 32 1 377 105) After '85 there is yet another switch, used from 9/85 to the end of production ($NA at AutoHausAz, - $59.75 at PelicanParts, - $37 at GetBMWParts)
___________

SO = Special Order

[Edit: 7/11 - Added prices from GetBMWParts; 8/11 - Added Part #61321355701)

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:35 am

thanks, chris

my 6er's production date is 01/84, i will need the second one.

this is steve haygood's listing:
61321371094 Ignition Switch Euro e24 Ignition Switch Euro e24 Ea $77.00
61321372931 Ignition Switch 83-84 633 Ignition Switch 83-84 633 ea $110.00
61321375112 Ignition Switch Euro only Ignition Switch Euro only 1985 ea $61.00

i can't understand the price difference - would anyone know why the switch from 83/84 is so much more expensive? does it switch more contacts then the other two?

cheers,

michael

Chris Wright · Post by **Chris Wright** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:39 pm

Michael wrote:thanks, chris

my 6er's production date is 01/84, i will need the second one.

i can't understand the price difference - would anyone know why the switch from 83/84 is so much more expensive? does it switch more contacts then the other two?

cheers,

michael

It has to do with production volume, that switch was only used in the Sixer which was a low production car, and only for a couple of years. The others were shared with other models, so the higher production lowered costs.

"Ralph in Socal" has used an Ignition Switch from a 528e in his '85 635. It has one extra wire that is not used in the sixer:

viewtopic.php?t=8726&highlight=528i+switch

The 528e switch for comparison, note the extra single wire:

Ralph in Socal · Post by **Ralph in Socal** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:28 pm

The extra wire is the horn contact lead and is not used by the e24 in the ignition switch harness. There is a separate harness that provides the lead for the horn contact on e24s. You can either cut the wire off and also remove the pin with some needle nose pliers or you can just leave the wire hanging. PM me if you want more info. I'm trying to find my pics of the switch connectors.