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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - electrical fault
| car stops fuel guage, Tach, and indicators die and engine can any one help new fuse box fitted but still the same thanks brian |
| bj camp |
| Souns like a bad connection on the white circuit, or possibly a faulty ignition switch. If it's intermittent, it could be a real PITA to trace, but you need to check for voltage on the brown wire to and the white wire from the ignition switch and then move further along to the other connections on the white cicuit. |
| Dave O'Neill 2 |
| As Dave says most likely area to check is the switch and the wires off it |
| bill sdgpm |
| The reverse light switch earthing!! It's on the gearbox tail and when it shorts out, it takes out indicators and fuel guauge. Test is that you blow the fuse when you go into reverse. |
| Robin Cohen |
| Another possibility... When this was happening to me in a 72 midget, it turned out to be a bad double bullet connector in the brown circuit under the dash that feeds the headlights switch AND the ignition switch. If I bumped the wiring harness, the car would die as you describe; when I would try to find the problem, the car would come back to life. What a pain to locate ;-) The metal inside the rubber sleeve, particularly the doubles of that vintage, get brittle and split, losing all tension. They will still conduct electricity, but can suffer intermittent faults and not carry as much amperage as desired. David "worth a try..." Lieb |
| David Lieb |
| hi all thanks for the help brian |
| bj camp |
| Brian, Don't forget to come back and let us know what you found! David "curiosity has killed more than just cats" Lieb |
| David Lieb |
| dave i will let know you what i find going to have a look at it in the week we have a few cats so will try not to kill them or me brian |
| bj camp |
| "A few"? We are down to three... including a bengal who considers the other two to be kitty toys. David "my dog is outnumbered" Lieb  |
| David Lieb |
| dave nice cat fitted new swich and put new crimp tags on the white and brown wires at the fuse box end just need to it take for a long as it only happens on a long run so finngers crossed brian |
| bj camp |
| Brian, Try wiggling the harness under the dash near the headlight switch whilst the car is running. If you are lucky, nothing will happen; if you are unlucky, "nothing" will then start to happen. Yeah, he is a cool cat. I just wish he would stop harassing the other two. David "three-cat poor" Lieb |
| David Lieb |
| just had a 30 mile trip all ok dave wiggling the harness under the dash near the headlight switch was ok thanks brian |
| bj camp |
| I wonder what percentage of time is spent fiddling with these bloody cars as opposed to driving them. this weekend is big ends and mains, new fuse box and rear shocks!!! |
| N Sayle |
| Good, it can be very frustrating trying to figure out which connection under there is "iffy" ;-) David "I luv Lucas" Lieb |
| David Lieb |
| Varies from person to person, N. Prop, f'rinstance... David "I enjoy both" Lieb |
| David Lieb |
| If there were truth in advertising: "Introducing the new MG Midget: It's not just a car, it's your new life-sucking hobby" Richard |
| R J Reeves |
| I am in the process of rewiring my whole car. I am an electronic engineer so it is an easy one for me. As soon as I have completed it I will upload a diagram as well as wire lengths, wire type and connectors required. I believe you can buy a complete loom but these are a ridiculous price for what they are. |
| N Sayle |
| yes please and cable rating if you would please let me know when you have done it thanks brian |
| bj camp |
| bj--what year is your Midget? I'm wondering if an MGB wiring diagram would be similar in the same year. If so, you can take a look at the schematics at advanceautowire.com (I rewired my midget using their MGB harness). |
| JM Morris |
| my one is a 1979 |
| bj camp |
| I am doing this based on a 1979 car. I did one for a Daimler 250 V8 and quite a few B GT's. I have looked over and over the wiring for the RB Midgets and there are obvious signs of adaptation from the older models with some completely unnecessary connections. I am a firm believer in minimal connections apart from where service or passing through bulkheads is needed. I also point blank refuse to use crimp connectors. Always solder and heat shrink. Will post my loom end results by the end of the weekend with a bit of luck. |
| N Sayle |
This thread was discussed between 19/03/2010 and 25/03/2010
MG Midget and Sprite Technical index
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