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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Headlight question

Hi. I have a Sprite Mark 2 (1961) with an MOT looming. My headlights are working on full beam but not on dipped. Side lights and other lamps all working okay. Any idea what might be the problem? New halogen bulbs only 12 months ago so I'm pretty sure its not the bulbs.


Tim
TJ Prime

Tim -

I once had the same situation on my '78, and it turned out to be a disconnection in the steering column shroud, near the dimmer switch/turn indicator. Apparently your dip beam circuit has a break somewhere, while the main circuit is intact.

I realize our cars are very different, but you may still want to check the wiring around your dipswitch and main headlight switch.

Best of luck,

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Hi mate Does the MK11 Sprite use a floor mounted dip switch?

Anyway whether floor mounted or whatever the dip switch seems faulty. Out of the dip switch you should have 2 wires A blue and white and a blue and red. Chech the connections on the blue and red this is the wire for the normal/dipped headlamps

If you are competent you can try powering up the blue and red wire at the dipswitch which should put on the dipped headlamps and "prove" all the wiring connections are fine.
Alternatively with headlights on check the outgoing wires from the dip switch to see if you get power on the Blue and White for head and then power on blue and red for dipped. This would prove the switch was fine and you would then need to check the connections between switch and headlamps each junction check the blue and red are still connected in the bullet connectors
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

Robert

Yes, it is a floor mounted dipswitch. I'll do as you suggest. It sounds as if it is the culprit! I'll let you know once I've checked it out.

Many thanks.


Tim
TJ Prime

...and they're almost 18 quid a pop! if you do need a switch ask here first...
David Smith

I had the same problem and it did turn out that both low beams had burned out. It was because the alt was over charging.
tomshobby

There should be three wires attached to the dipswitch - blue, blue/red and blue/white.
There should be three bullet connectors where the dipswitch loom comes out of the bulkhead panel near to where the ignition coil is mounted. You could try swapping the blue/red and blue/white connections with each other and see if that makes a difference.

You may also find that the bullet connectors on the blue/red wires behind the grill are corroded.

Lots of places to check with the aid of a wiring diagram.
Dave O'Neill 2

read all about it

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html

It gave me >100% more light!

Flip

Flip Brühl 948 frog 59

Thanks everyone. Took the dipswitch apart, cleaned up all the connectors, put it back together and hey presto - all was working again. Cheers.
TJ Prime

Thanks for the link, Flip.

Good info!
Dave Rhine ('78 1500)

This thread was discussed between 15/07/2010 and 17/07/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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