Lada Ignition Switch quality

[spider2081]

Below are a couple photos of melted ares of a a Lada ignition switch removed from a Fiat Spider. The photos aren't too clear but I am hoping the damaged areas can be seen. Unlike the Sipea switches installed by Fiat these Lada switches have only one set of contacts for the "hot in start and run" position of the ignition switch. The Sipea ignition switches have 2 sets of contacts for this position.
This means all the power required for running the car is passing through a single set of contacts. To make matters worse the material is a low melting point nylon where the Sipea was a bakelite type material with very high melting point.
In my opinion if a Lada ignition switch is being used Relays should be installed to reduce the current flow through the ignition switch.

[AriK]

I got one season's use out of a brand new Lada ignition switch that i bought in Germany until it went completely dead in the start position. A good used Sipea switch with the said relays has been installed ever since.

[djape1977]

old stock lada ignition switches, pre 1984 are identical to fiats in every aspect.
after 1984, lada introduced relay into the system, so not all current runs through the switch anymore. this setup was used until end of production of RWD ladas in 2014, and is still used on lada 4x4.
basically, install a relay

[Turbofiat124]

If this is what we have to choose from, has anybody ever considering using one of those universal ignition switches like this one?

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/11100/10 ... AlpB8P8HAQ

Of course you would loose the locking mechanism on the steering wheel but there are all sorts of ways to disable a vehicle like a hidden toggle switch under the dash to kill power to the ignition coil for example.

So basically if you have to use the Lada ignition switch, the fix is to install a 30 amp relay between the wire coming off the switch leading to the fuse box and this will prevent the switches from melting?

[djape1977]

So basically if you have to use the Lada ignition switch, the fix is to install a 30 amp relay between the wire coming off the switch leading to the fuse box and this will prevent the switches from melting?

yes