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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Do panel lights always come on when

I can't remember if when one turns the ignition switch to position II if the panel lights should all come on and then go off once the motor kicks in.

I think the alternator light comes up but then would go off once the motor started and generated current, Correct? But should the panel lights as well?

I have been trying to figure out a short in my electrical system now for more then a month. I've gotten so many things disconnected its like starting all over again. Dash is out, retracing everything. WOW.
Thor Patterson-Ritz

Early midgets have a little switch under the dash for the dashlights. I dont know if later Midgets do have that feature.

Bas
Bas Timmermans

Later UK spec Spridgets also have a separate panel light switch. I'm not sure about the US spec cars though.

Mark.
Mark T. Boldry

T
I am not familiar with the key switch positions. Is II the cranking position. If so I would not expect the panel lights to come on during starting. I would tend to think that this could be as a result of a poor earth somewhere like the engine bonding strap.

D
Dave

My midget is a 1975.

The II key position is accessory, I think.
The positions on the ignition switch are:
0=position to remove key,
I=normal position of key,
II=accessory?,
III=cranks motor.

I'll try and find the ground strap on the motor. Perhaps its loose. Does anyone know where it might be on a 1500 1975?



Thor Patterson-Ritz

T, In that case the engine bond strap is probably OK. It could be a subtle earthing problem with the instrument panel. Do the panel lights behave properly when the sidelights are on?
D
Dave

the groundstrap on a LHD 1500 is on the passengerside engine bracket.
And there is a mighty cable going from the body where the gearbox enters the engineroom(end-tunnel) to the engine or belhousing(not sure anymore)

Mine is a ex US 1975 LHD 1500 and when starting the only light that switches on at step III is the red one from the Dynamo/altenator like you said.

The panellights are only switched on when switching on your headlights.
If your light are off but the panellights are on there is something wrong!!!

The panellight switch on your dash(near choke)can only dim the light and not on/off
Arie de Best

By panel lights you do mean gaugelights right?
Only otherlights are:red=altenator, blue=biglights, centerdash red=braketester, red on console=egr, seatbelt lights... i fear those are all the lights on a '75.
Arie de Best

My midget is a US speck 1971 model. with the engine not running and the headlights off with the key in the "on" position, you should hear the fuel pump tick over and see the orange charging light come on (it states on when it detects low or no voltage from the alternator/generator). With the engine running and the headlights off no dash light should be on. With the headlights/parkinglights on you can turn the lights for the instruments (speedo, fuel gauge etc) on and off with a little black toggle switch on thel eft side of the steering column. Also when you put the headlights into the highbeem position, a blue indicator light on the dash should come on.
S.A. Jones

Thor, I have a 76 and the panel lights do not come on when the car is started.

S.A. Jones, on the 75 and "newer" Midgets with the 1500 engine, they have a mechanical fuel pump so no ticking pump like yours.
Clive Reddin

I have a 71 midget and it had the panal switch on the steering column shroud....I think the switch was discontinued in 72 when they came out with the alt. The purpose of the panal switch was battry management due to a the generator/dyno. charging system

Id look into that switch, it may be getting ready to say Sijy shing.


prop
Prop

IIRC the original idea of the panel lights switch was to allow parking at night in the UK with the side-lights one and the panel lights off to save the battery.

(AIUI it's still not legal in UK to park at night without lights, except when: a) car is parked in same direction as traffic, and b) there are street-lights.)

A
Anthony

Thor -

Yeah, something's not normal there. When I start my car, the charge light and oil pressure light (red and yellow) light up. The oil pressure light goes off after a couple seconds, and the charge light also switches right off, sometimes requiring a little blip of the throttle to spin up the alternator.

Oh yeah, the brake test light comes on too, but goes off as soon as the key is released. The instrument lights are (or should be!) wired entirely separately from the warning lights.

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Thor, like Gryf's car, the dash lights don't come on until the headlights/parking light switch is turned on. Perhaps they have wired them directly into the ingnition circuit somewhere? I was thinking headlight switch but that is "hot" all the time. It has to be something that is "hot" when the car is running or the circuit is energised.

I think I'd start from the rheostat and trace the wires from there.
Clive Reddin

My '72 came with the alternator and the little toggle switch on the steering column shroud as original equipment.

My '77 has the panel lights rheostat on the dash. Perhaps the change from toggle switch to rheostat occurred during the chengeover from 1275 to 1500cc engines?

Glen
G. D. Phillips

G.D., the rheostat just allows you to dim the panel lights. (Yeah, like they are soooo bright to begin with!). The lights themselves are controlled by turning on the headlight switch.
Clive Reddin

This thread was discussed between 26/09/2008 and 02/10/2008

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