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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - electrical problems

I just bought a 76 midget, per the seller the side marker lights and the tail lights come on when the car is started. In addition the light switch does nothing when it is turned on, no headlights. The brake lights come on when you shift from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. I know their is a problem but I do not know where to start.
L Johnson

Wow, sounds like that was a DPO to be feared indeed!

I would start by checking out the fuse box. There should be four fuses... the lowest two (closest to the front of the car) are both for the marker lights and tail lights. They both feed off of one red/green wire (from the headlight switch) and out to red wires. One fuse does right front and left rear and the other does vice versa. Sounds to me like the DPO moved one of the white wires that is supposed to go to the fuse above it down to there or else moved a red wire.

On the brake lights, it sounds as if he wired the transmission neutral switch into the brake lights. Your brake light switch is mounted to the top of the pedal box (in the engine compartment) so that the top of the brake pedal turns it off. It should NOT be connected to the transmission at all.
David "slightly wired" Lieb
David Lieb

By "brake lights" do you mean the handbrake warning lamp on the dash? If so then perhaps you are bumping the hand brake lever while shifting?

If David's right and your DPO (Dumb Previous Owner) actually did what he suggests then you may be in for an interesting series of head scratchers..

I would check the headlight switch for:
A. power with key off (as it is supposed to be ) and
B. bypassing it to see if the headlamps come on at all.

Where to start? Definitely get the wiring diagram for your car, you apparently are going to need it..

Good luck!

R
Richard 1500 5 speed

If the brakelights come on during the gearchange then the pivot for the pedals 'may' be binding. You dip the clutch and it also pulls the brake pedal round a bit. Get in the footwell and try to see if the pedals move without interfering. If they are binding then you'll need to lift the pedal box up (8 screw/bolts?) and remove the pivot which is a long, stepped bolt and nut. Polish and grease plus you can drill and tap the pedal arm for a grease nipple.

The other failure 'may' be a rewired switch after it broke internally.
Not the easiest switches to remove as you need to get you fingers behind the panel and depress the sides of the switch to allow it to slip forwards. Beware! The battery ought to be disconnected in case the wires touch the dashboard metalwork and arc to earth.

Sadly, USA spec cars have much more complicated wiring and I've yet to play with one.

Good luck!
rob multi-sheds thomas

Thank you all for your suggestions.
JL Johnson

This thread was discussed between 31/08/2009 and 01/09/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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