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MG TD TF 1500 - TD trun signals

The 1950 TD I'm rebuilding had some turn signals mounted on the rear bumper shield. What do you think is the best way to incorporate turn signals - what lights do you use and where do you mount them? I did purchase a wiring harness that has the wires in it for turn signals - there is no under dash switch - maybe there is an extra switch on the dash - I'll check.
Thanks for your help.
Dave Dunlavy

Dave; you will need to change the two front light sockets in the front wing parking lights. Then you will need a switch and relay control box.Moss' relay is #141400, switch is #162400 and replacment sockets are #157600.If your wiring harness is ready for direction lights then that is all you will need. This way there will be no outside changes. The stop lamps in the existing tail lights will be the direction lights also. With the double sockets in the front parking lamps , it will be all you need to have direction lights.
Sandy Sanders
conrad sanders

I did this same proceedure on a 52. This one had the headlamp dip switch as part of the horn button. Rather than drilling another hole in the dash for the turn signal tell tale, I used the ignition warning lamp. You still have the ampmeter to tell you if the system is charging.

Blake
Blake

I used a Radio Shack switch (on/off/on)and switch housing screwed on under the dash edge above the gear shift. The orig. type switch is a joke- a leather washer/spring/air bleed thing which is suppose to keep it on for a while, and costs a lot. I used a bright green 12V Radio Shack lamp (tiny- about 1/4")for the indicator, also at the bottom edge of the dash. One could say this is not original, but since the car did not come with turns, nothing you do is original! I think the late TD's had the relay mounted above the underdash shield- nearly impossible to get to. I have seen some mounted under the hood like a TF. The orig. relays do need fiddling with on occasion.
George Butz

Dave,
If you do wish to use "original" type switch...there are 2 of them on ebay right now. Mine has required a little "cleaning & rebuilding" to function as intended but it is really a kind of "neat" piece in how simple it is in it's design. On a TD it would be easy to mount under the dash inverted so just the handle would "peek" out. I think Moss even sells a bracket to hold the switch to do this.
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

Dave, in addition to the parts mentioned, ie, dual contact front lamp sockets, the relay, and switch, you will also need a flasher. The archives also have a number of postings on alternative methods.
I have been considering a number of alternatives for my 50 TD, however recently I realized that if I talk on my cell phone while driving it exempts me from the requirement to use turn signals. Downshifting while cornering has become more difficult.
D F Sexton

I use a radio shack switch under the dash too. Small black and can barely be seen. I don't bother with a turn indicator light on the dash as I can see both king of the road dots on the tops of the fender lamps when they blink.

The 53's had the same lamps as the fuel/amp but in yellow right above the plugs if you want a lamp on the dash.

Chris
Chris Couper

Hi Dave,
You might not want to use the side lights /rear lights as turn signals. In todays frantic driving conditions it would be advisable to have turn signals that other drivers can see!! Just remember that you could have a tank full of fuel between you and the driver behind.

I used aditional lights on the front and rear bumper bar taken from a Honda motorcycle. Let me know if you want details.

David Tinker. Wales UK
David Tinker

<<<snip>>>
The 53's had the same lamps as the fuel/amp but in yellow right above the plugs if you want a lamp on the
dash.
<<<snip>>>
My 53 TD's turn signal tell tale is red just like the ignition warning lamp.

If not using a warning lamp on the dash, I would install a "beeper" as those red "king of the road" dots on the front running lights aren't always or very visible. I saw (heard) this done on a J2.

On my TD with factory turns, the relay used to switch the brake light to a turn indicator is vertically mounted to the side of the tool box under the cowl inside the passenger compartment. You could used a pair of cheap relays to do the same thing.

Blake
Blake

Dave,
On my TF I left the "standard" turns but also added a little "extra" to the mix...(Mr. Tinker and I think alike as far as "todays frantic driving conditions").
Durring my re-wire I installed some bulbs in the reflectors at the top of the boot on the rear. Only the 1500 had these but might not look too bad on the TD as well. They are about 2 feet higher than the standard lights! Also installed a period Lucas reversing light on rear apron that can be switched to work from brake lamp circuit (when red lens installed) or off switch (with clear lens) for that "yo buddy back the heck-off" effect. Did the same on front of car with my Amber fog & driving lamp. They can now be used as driving lamps or switched on to work with the front turn signals. Maybe a little "exstream" ...but there is little doubt that I am going to "turn now" and the whole system still looks very "correct" to the car. If this doesn't work maybe I can hire a guy from China to run ahead of the car and smack other drivers with a fresh fish screaming
"we turn now ..ok?" ! ;-)!!!!
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 # 7427
David Sheward

Dave
I agree with Conrad's post from above. Those are the minimum that you need. Also when you are looking up your parts in the Moss or Abington Spares catalogue, look at Moss part 140-600 this Lucas turn siginal switch was used on the late TC's and early TD's It has a built in light that blinks and tells you your turn siginals are working. It does not self cansel, you have to turn it on and off. The good thing about it is, it is about one third the cost and should be considered "origional"to your car. (I paid $63 vs $300 to $400 for 162-400 and are very hard to find) Another thing you need to do is make sure you use the correct wiring diagram for your car from the workshop manual. Hope this helps, John
John Hambleton

I could never see my lights flash, nor could I see the indicator lamp on the switch. This resulted in my usually leaving the signal on until I came to the next turn. I bought a 12 volt buzzer at Radio Shack and wired it with the switch. It worked so great that people three blocks away would look for the dump truck backing up. I wrapped a cotton ball around the buzzer to muffle the sound to an acceptable level. Works great and I no longer forget to shut the signal off.
Steve Markman

Blake: I like the idea of the beeper. I am pretty sure the 53's had a yellow light but my memory may be going. Not to say that someone needed to replace it and red was easier to get. Any other 53 owners want to comment?

To all: Yes the lights on the TD are substandard for todays driving. Either people don't see you at all or they stare at you and you finding them turning right into you. You really have to drive very defensively in a T car and that does make driving a bit more tiring (pluss wind and noise) then a regular car. Part of the motoring experience.

If it was legal I would suggest a big white strobe light mounted on a mast out the boot :-).

Chris
Chris Couper

I retrofitted a complete factory turn signal system to my 53 TD including the AMBER indicator in the center panel as shown in the Owners Manual.
I agree with Chris that current drivers are not used to looking for a car at night with such low bulb candlepower. With that in mind, I added an LED brake light strip from J C Whitney on a small bracket fastened to the bottom of my high mount baggage rack. When I see someone approaching from the rear, I tap the brakes to make the light attract their attention. It's bright enough to be seen easily on a sunny day.
Jim Merz

I have also mounted JC Whitney LED strips on a bar that attaches under my high luggage rack, and can be removed for show. These function as directional signals and additional brake lights.

I also have, and highly recommend, Halogen bulbs in the regular tail lights of my 51 TD. These are far brighter than the normal bulbs but should NOT be used in cars with plastic lenses - they will melt!

The bulbs are available from Little British Car Co. - www.lbcarco.com.
Ted Jackson

When I purchased my TD it had been fitted with TF style indicators using the Lucas relay box. Unfortunately the relay box was burnt out so I made up a new one using modern relays. If anyone wants a circuit diagram I will be pleased to oblige. Have now found a good original relay so have one of the made up ones spare. If anyone wants it they can have it for the cost of the postage.


Jan T
Jan Targosz

This thread was discussed between 04/01/2003 and 07/01/2003

MG TD TF 1500 index

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