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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Electrical issues


As a new midget owner, I'm now trying to sort out electrical issues in my 1973 car. The fuel gauge, turn indicators and brake lights don't work. The four way hazard flashers and other gauges work, and the headlights lights work too. I checked the fuses, and all are intact. Otherwise the car runs fine.

Could these electrical issues be connected?

I'd appreciate some advice on tackling these issues. Thanks.





l baker

Welcome to the madness !!!

The fuel tank and therefore fuel gauge sender, brake lights and two of the indicators are at the rear of the car.

Is the harness damaged ?

Malc

Malc Gilliver

Bet your number plate lights don't work either.
Looking at the wiring diagram there doesn't seem to be a common wire which could be responsible so as Malc says, look for damage to the harness. Quite often earth (or lack of it) is to blame but there should be several separate earths in this case.

Someone here may be able to give you an idea of which way the route runs.
Graeme W

Just checked my car, all the wires that go the rear of the car have a connection by the rear light cluster in the boot - have a look there.

Malc
Malc Gilliver

one common element is that they all work with the ignition on

also bear in mind the fuel gauge might be separate issue from the indicators and brake lights and indeed the brake lights and indicator issues also might not be related

one fuse covers both the indicators and brake lights so take this fuse out and test it don’t just rely on a visual check do look for crud on the ends of the fuse and on the connectors to it in the fuse box, also check the connectors on the input side like the supply to the fuel gauge (green wire)

the fuel gauge as said could be related to the other two or not, it could be a poor connection or wire from the tank sender, perhaps the voltage stabiliser has bad connections or isn’t earthed well by being screwed in properly or it not level so not working (on it ‘I’ is for connection to instrument fuel gauge light green/green, ‘B’ from battery, well actually fuse box connection green), then there’s the fuel gauge connection and wire
Nigel Atkins

Nigel.
"perhaps the voltage stabiliser ..........it not level so not working"

Can you please explain? i don't know how the voltage stabiliser works so a brief explanation of why it has to be level would be great.
graeme jackson

Graeme,
Steve or Rod or others or a four year old would give a better explanation than me but as you asked

I only know a little and forget a lot

the VS is a bi-metalic strip that opens and closes at a such a rate to equal the 12v supply to the 10v required for the gauge and because it goes relatively slow it acts as a damper to the gauge so the needle isn't flickering with the change that can be going on with the car's electric supply

it adjusts for temperature (being metal I expect) so is accurate regardless of time of year

I can't remember why it has to be level to work, or work properly, but some are marked with arrows or 'Top' to show you which way up, IIRC correctly they're OK up to 20% out of level

I expect my answer will bring better answers (not difficult) and any corrections if/where I've gone wrong
Nigel Atkins

If your hazard lights work but indicators don't, it could simply be a case of rocking the hazard switch repeatedly 10-20 times to see if frees it up as the indicators go through that too. The chances are the hazard switch is rarely used so it can get sticky which affects indicators.

I drove my new Midget 300 miles home with no indicators before someone on here suggested trying this and it was as simple as that.
P Robson 1500

This thread was discussed between 08/06/2014 and 10/06/2014

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