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MG TD TF 1500 - Factory Turn Signal Indicator

The NEMGTR T Series Handbook, Page 45, says: "TD22315 (Dec.4,1952): On TDs for North America only, directional signals became standard equipment. A self-cancelling switch ... and an indicator light (fig. 19D) on the instrument panel. On cars for other markets the empty indicator light hole was covered by a small button."

Fig. 19D shows a hole location that would be between the horn push and the ammeter, somewhat above the auxiliary power jacks.
Steve Hess' car (23031) was built just after turn signals became standard, but it doesn't have the light.
Does anyone have a car with such an indicator? What color lens is in it? Does anyone have a car with such a hole covered by a button?
Bud Krueger

Bud,
Both 1953 TD's that I have owned had the green ligh centered on the instrument panel. Both were late (August 1953) cars from near the end of TD production.

Jim Haskins

J. M. Haskins

Bud,

My car (Mid-may 53) has a red/amber lens. I recently made contact with the previous/second owner of my car. He had the car from 1969, and tells me nothing was changed from new.

Good luck,
Evan
Evan Ford - TD 27621

Also,

I can forward pictures of the dash before/after restoration if it helps in positioning the hole.
Evan Ford - TD 27621

Bud
"Teddy" is hibernating but I will uncover him tonight and take another look. I know my dash facia was replaced at restoration but that should not have effected the instrument cluster. Will post after I look.
Steve
Steve Hess

SORRY!! (Misinformation Department)
Just came home to "hibernating teddy" and pulled back his blanket. To my surprise, there IS a turn signal indicator smack in the middle above the accessory jacks. It is RED. I have only driven this car two hours since I got it and the reason I had not noticed it is because....it doesn't work! (another thing for Spring). So yes, my December-52-built 1953 TD has signal flashers and a red flasher indicator (that needs to be fixed)

Steve
Steve Hess

May, 1953 TD #27667 (20 or so away from Evan's)... red warning light the same as the ignition light... centered above the two accessory plugs....

http://www3.sympatico.ca/gordonblawson/td/td102.jpg
gordon.b.lawson '53TD

Thanks folks. That pretty well confirms the information in the Handbook as far as the location of the indicator. Guess the color is open for debate.
Bud Krueger

Bud was surprised I have an extra gauge on my panel where the horn button is usually seen. My horn button is to the left of the steering wheel and when your left hand is in a normal "10-to-2" position on the wheel one's fingers are right above the horn (must have been built for NYC traffic)...anyway, the spot on the instrument cluster where the button normally resides is taken up by a vacuum gauge. The guage is the same color, style and "age" as the other instruments so it is certainly not a later add on I would think.

BTW is there a way of easily posting an image here without "owning" a web site to which one could post a link??
Steve Hess

Bud,

If you are thinking of installing the direction indicator light on the instrument panel and your car is fitted with a hand operated dip switch you will you will have a problem, as the indicator lamp will interfere with the movement of the switch. I had this problem and I solved it by filing a small wedge off the rear of dip switch lever. This gave the required clearance to correctly operate the switch.

John Scragg

52 TD
John Scragg

John, this was just for general information, but you make a good point. I didn't install an indicator light with my turn signals. Instead, I use a piezo electric beeper. My car (10855) was before the high beam indicator was put into the speedometer. For that I have a small (red) light that an early owner installed just above the ignition and fuel warning lights.
Bud Krueger

My TD11547 has turn indicator switch and double filament bulbs but there is no light on the instrument panel, however, I don't need one as I can see my side lights on the wing when they are blinking. The double filament bulbs are the type with the locating bosses symm. opposite so one has to be very carefull when replacing one so that the lens doesn't melt (as did the DPO).
Greg & Grimm
G.J. Cenzer

TD 25559 has a turn signal indicator on the instrument panel. It is red. The ignition warning lamp is red and the fuel warning lamp is green.

I added turn signals to an early hand operated dip switch TD. Moss used to make a special harness with front side light inserts to add double filament bulbs. You also had to buy the relay and the turn signal switch. I used the ignition warning lamp as the turn signal repeater. You've got the position of the ignition key (and the clicking fuel pumps) to tell you if the ignition is on, and the ammeter to tell you if the system isn't charging. So the ignition warning lamp is redundant.

Blake
Bullwinkle

This thread was discussed between 19/01/2005 and 23/01/2005

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.