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MG MGF Technical - Odd electrical problem

Got an odd problem with my 02 TF160.

When I switch my headlights on the rear fog lights also come on (light on dashboard and switch illuminated too). Pushing the foglamp switch doesn't do anything the button still remains illuminated and can't turn foglamp off. If I switch to side lights then foglamp goes off and if I then turn headlamps on it's all ok but if I switch the lights out and then turn the stalk as normal to headlights I have the same problem again.

In other words I have to either..
*turn the light stalk either to side lights then again to headlights to cure it (bit of a faff) or

*turn straight to headlights, back to side lights and back again to headlights (even more of a faff)

I can't just quickly switch on headlights or rear foglights also come on.

Any ideas?

Sue.
Sue

Sue,

Have you changed any bulbs recently, particularily headlights? I had something similar happen on a Focus (after a headlight bulb replacement)... IIRC when I stepped on the brake, the headlights came on... or went off. Something bizarre anyway.

Turned out, on a Focus, one bulb is used for both dipped and full beam, three terminals... and I'd replaced it with a dual terminal bulb. It caused some weird connection or short anyway!

Can't recall if there are one or two bulbs on the TF, will look at lunchtime.

HTH,
Col
Colin McIlwaine

Thanks Colin - but nope no bulbs or anything like that have been changed.

Only work I've had done is the HG replaced a couple of weeks back and thinking about it I've not used headlights since then but surely that wouldn't be linked would it???

Sue.
Sue

just spoken to MGFCentre (very helpful - thanks guys)and Bill thinks it could be a faulty switch so I'll try that.

Sue.

Sue

This won't help you, but a friend experienced sommething "funny" with his '99 MGF : his windows were not working if the main lights were turned on ! The dealer cured it, I don't know how...
Fabrice

Don't know if this helps.

I belive that the fog lights are prevented from coming on unless the lights are on, this might actually be the law. So fog lights can't come on if no lights on.

So from this reasoning the fog lights must recieve the power from the lights stalk switch.

If this is the case then its unlikely that MG will allow all the power required for the headlights, the side lights and rear lights as well as rear fog and front fog, so I guess they use a relay instead.

So guessing further its a relay that controls the fog ligts and this relay is powered from the lights stalk, so my guess is the fog relay is being activated for some reason by switching on the headlights. Removing the power from headlights releases the relay contacts.

If it is a relay you just put in another. Or alternative is to remove the realy and see if the fog lights go off. If they do - problem solved, BUT means your rear fogs don't work, but saves any faffing. You will needd to put it back for real fog or for mot.

Don't know if this helps at all

Brian

This thread was discussed on 17/05/2005

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