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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Hazard lights

Bought a hazard light kit off eBay, from Motaclan. Don’t know if they are linked to Rimmers but instructions have Rimmers contact details on the bottom.

Anyway that’s not the reason for the thread.

My car is a ‘61 Mk2 Sprite.
I fitted hazard kit as per the instructions which included disconnecting the wire that goes from the non live side of the ignition switch to the indicator relay via the fuse box, then connecting one wire from the hazard assy to the switch and one wire to the disconnected cable.
Did this plus other wire connections to indicators, battery and earth.
Hazard lights worked fine but had no indicators, brake lights, heater fan or fuel pump (have electric pump fitted). And engine would not start.
I refitted the existing wire back onto the ignition switch and left hazard wires disconnected and everything works fine including hazard lights.
I am totally confused although to be fair I am not very good at electrics.
My car has multiple fuses (6 off) as opposed to the standard 2 fuses - on switched side the inputs are all connected . Dynator alternator is fitted in place of dynamo plus subsequent mods to control box wiring. Car is negative earth. Has electronic ignition.

I am just curious as to why following the instructions gave problems.

Les

Les Robinson

Been thinking about this problem.
I think that the hazard switch could be faulty. I’m guessing that when the switch is pushed in, hazards off, then the two wires that are connected to the indicator relay wire are themselves connected therefore giving a feed to the indicator relay. When the switch is pulled out then the indicator relay is disconnected and the hazard relay is connected. If this is correct then the switch looks like it’s not working properly.
When I connected it I did it at the ignition switch end, hence no power a number of things, I should really connect the wires at the relay end otherwise will loose power to brake lights, heater fan etc when hazards are on although if switch is faulty then will have no indicators.
Is there an issue if the indicator relay is not isolated when hazards are on?

Les
Les Robinson

If I have understood what you did in the first place correctly then the hazards wouldnt work with the ignition off which would be wrong.

Trev
T Mason

So has it got 6 wires? I would only have expected 4, ie one for unswitched power, two for indicators and earth.

Trev
T Mason

Hi Trev
There are six wires, four connected as you said plus two that connect to the indicator relay feed. If there I think the purpose of this is to isolate the relay when the hazards are on, but don’t know why. When the hazard switch is off then the two wires are connected giving feed to the indicator relay. I think my switch is faulty and doesn’t connect. I have left those two wires disconnected and all works fine.
Will test those wires today to see if indeed they do connect when the switch is in the off position.
But why would the indicator relay need to be isolated?

Les

Les Robinson

Forgot to mention, the hazard lights have their own relay.
Les
Les Robinson

Just checked the wires when hazards off, switch pushed in, and the wires do not connect. I can see the issue, so dodgy switch!!
Les Robinson

Think I have sorted it. Have unscrewed the knob on the switch by one turn and this allows the switch to move further in and make contact with the wires.
Les
Les Robinson

Les, in that case then I would suggest not connecting those wires to the ignition as you have changed your fuse box. I would connect them at the output side of the fuse to the flasher otherwise if you breakdown and put hazards on you wont be able to start the car to troubleshoot.

Trev
T Mason

Finally sorted.
Have connected wires right by the indicator relay so if any issues then can easily reconnect the relay.
The hazard switch is really a poor design. There is a circlip on the switch shaft which positions the shaft when pushed in. However the bore of the knob can go over this which in turn reduces the inward travel and prevents contact for the relay wires.
I have made sure that the hazard fuse is accessible so if any future problems then can disconnect the hazards and easily reconnect flasher relay.
Off to France next week with Bernie, hopefully no issues!
Les
Les Robinson

This thread was discussed between 18/07/2024 and 19/07/2024

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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