MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Brake Light Switch - Hogparts

Someone recommended a Hogparts hydraulic brake switch to me for my 1275 midget

https://www.hogparts.co.uk/products/mcs970074


They said the lights came on as soon as you touched the pedal. Mine are just about OK, brakes just starting to bite to light up having just replaced it, but there are multiple threads on here about how the £5 switch degrades over time and various opinions about the use of relays.

Any experience of the hogpart switch?

thanks

Mike
Mike Dixon

There is an article in MASCOT about this very subject, worth a read.
C MADGE

What about those that aren't MASC members?
Dave O'Neill 2

To summarise the article from memory:

The arcing caused by turning the brake lights on damages the contacts of the cheap switch. Braking happens frequently so these cheap switches dont last.

Fit a relay, and for a belt and braces solution fit led bulbs to reduce current draw and arcing.

I think I have that right....
C MADGE

Or just source a NOS genuine Lucas one. There seem to be a few around. The one I have has been there since 1961!
Bob Beaumont

Thanks. I have seen the MASC articles and it was a MASC member that recommended this specific ( Harley Davidson!) switch at Gurston earlier this year

Anyone know of a reliable source of NOS Lucas ones - I have heard rumour some are just re-packaged modern ones?

Mike
Mike Dixon

The ones in the green Lucas boxes are the usual repro rubbish and are poor quality. The genuine ones come in old type Lucas red boxes part number 54033360
Bob Beaumont

Has anyone tried the Land Rover parts suppliers?

These are on Ebay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bearmach-Land-Rover-Series-II-IIA-Brake-Light-Switch-Hydraulic-STC1689-BR2086-/321766612112
Chris at Octarine Services

From a recent MGB Technical thread on here -

"Posted 04 October 2018 at 19:56:54 UK time
Nigel Atkins, Northampton, UK View vehicle profile

Andy Tilney kindly sent me the switch - Lucas SMB423, green and white labelled plastic packet, Made in UK, week 28 of 1997. Andy tells me that the supplier has 12 left in stock, 8 with a date stamp for 1984 and 4 with a date stamp of 1999, they cost £4-00 plus P+P from LMS Lichfield.

(SMB423 brake light switch- Lucas) - http://www.lmslichfieldltd.com/

Andy says the switch he has from them works very well on his MGB and the switch he kindly sent me works well enough - but no better than the switch I've had fitted for 5 years, date stamped 48/09 (Nov 2009)."

Nigel Atkins

I had a look and they are in the old red Lucas packaging so worth considering
Bob Beaumont

Web site photos are not always of the actual product and can be "library" photos.

I don't know if 1984 was red but 1999 would be green (& white), not all in green is rubbish but some in gren boxes certainly can be.
Nigel Atkins

Thanks - I have ordered one - postage 150% more than the item, but if it works and keeps working it's worth it.

Mike
Mike Dixon

This thread was discussed between 06/11/2018 and 20/11/2018

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.