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MG MGB Technical - Electrical help needed

This may be related to the the thread "Better electrics", so I'll check all the contacts, but I wanted some info.

The side marker lights don't come on with the parking lights, but only with the headlights. This doesn't seem correct as I've never had a car that the side markers didn't come on with the parking lights.

Also, I don't have any high beams on the headlights. I plan to finally take the car to DMV this week and want to make sure that it's road-worthy.

The headlights say H4 on the front and they're made in Italy.

Any advice would be greatly appreciate as always.

The car is '72 GT, 258005.

Thanks,
Dave
Dave Shively

All years *should* come on with the side/parking lights, if they only come on with the dipped headlights you may find they go off again when you switch to main beam, unless a PO has done a frig with a couple of diodes. If the rear side markers do the same then it must be a frig and someone has run an extra wire from the headlight circuit to the back of the car. It also means they probably aren't fused, which they would be if powered from the side/parking lights. Should be a simple matter to locate the red wire from the side marker lamps and reconnect it to the bullet connectors in the red wires that feed the side/parking lights.

Does the blue tell-tale light when you switch to main beam? If not it indicates there is a problem with the switch. Does the headlamp flasher work? If so the wiring is OK, again pointing to the dip switch. If the tell-tale works from both switches but the lamps don't then check the bullet connecters near the right-hand front headlight. If the tell-tale doesn't work either then check the wiring and connectors near the steering column.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed on 22/07/2003

MG MGB Technical index

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