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MG Midget and Sprite Technical Potential fix for non/cancelling indicators BBS discussion at MG-Cars.net
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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Potential fix for non/cancelling indicators
| I use the archive on this site as my main knowledge base and saw a number of threads about non-cancelling indicators. Mine had seemingly failed and I always cancelled them manually.
I believe the cause is actually that a correctly set up cancelling cam or clip in a RHD car needs 210 degrees of steering wheel input to triger the self-cancelling function. Few modern junctions and especially roundabouts require this steering input, and so the indicators do not cancel. This gives the impression they are unserviceable. Moving the cam/clip to between the switch triggers reduces the input needed to 30 degrees and they will self-cancel on almost all junctions and roundabouts. More info at: https://www.mgexp.com/forum/mg-midget-forum.3/left-indicator-not-switching-off-after.4919813/ |
| Karl Thompson |
| Karl The cam or clip would normally be positioned on the right for a right hand drive car. You canβt always go by the pictures in the parts book. I wonder if your column came from a left hand drive car? |
| Dave O'Neill 2 |
| Good link there Karl.
Since buying a new stalk unit in 1996 I have to manualy switch it off again. You do get used to it but soemtimes do forget.... Recently took my steeringrack apart and then realised how it operates on a late US-lhd steeringrack. Then for a moment thought the clip was welded on then realized it isnt and thought of fidling with that later to see if I can make the indicator switch off on its own. But as somany things it got lost somewhere in the grey-matter in my head. Thanks to you I remember again LOL!!!   |
| A de Best |
| Not a LHD column and not fitted only according to the parts schematics. The inner column has a threaded hole on the left for the cancelling cam and the outer column has a locating hole on the right that accepts a peg from the switch. Neither is duplicated on the other side. I would be very interested to know if anyone with an early car has the same or different. |
| Karl Thompson |
| Yes, I also have a threaded peg that screws into the column. Midget MKII, 1964. |
| Philip Sellen |
| Another potential issue is wear on the plastic arm(s) (arrowed in the image) where it contacts the metal cam. The solution, which someone (sorry I forget who) on this forum suggested, is to attach a rubber band between the two plastic arms to maintain the tension on the cam. As you can see, mine is in need of a new one - a pair of blue ones from bunches of spring onions work well.  |
| Jeremy MkIII |
| Philip, where is the peg fitted, in telation to the switch? I saw the elastic band idea in the archive but my problem was different. |
| Karl Thompson |
| Into the inner column, but not sure exactly where right now. |
| Philip Sellen |
My mk1 MGB has the early switch and screwed peg, which is positioned between the βearsβ, as intended.
 |
| Dave O'Neill 2 |
| Thank you. That is what mine looks like now. |
| Karl Thompson |
| Same as my '66 Sprite. And you triggered my memory. When I got my '73 RWA Midget, okj 969m, the indicators didn't cancel either, because a previous owner had put the clip on 180 degrees out. As Dave says, it should be between the cam/clip should be set between the arms. I've probably got pictures of it somewhere, but not needed now I think. |
| anamnesis |
| Having read this thread earlier, and then driving to Scotland, I realised I always cancel indicators manually even on my modern self cancelling cars. It hadnt really occurred to me before that i do this, I think because way, way back in the distant past when learning to drive, that is what one did. That and hand signals too! The hand signalling I have abandoned, but still flick the indicator switch off by hand as I leave a junction or manoeuvre. Something to do with old dogs and new tricks I guess. |
| GuyW |
| My Sprite rear left indicator bulb packed up a while ago. I didn't have a spare, so reverted to the time honoured hand signal you describe Guy. Like you, I used them a lot when first driving. They're still part of the highway code. You'd assume people know that. But that didn't stop a couple of ar*es giving me a horn blast and fo verbal, as they passed me. I returned the compliments. π  |
| anamnesis |
| γ you'd assume people know that γ You ARE being ironic, aren't you... |
| David Cox |
| π This calls for a song. Lol. Actually there's a debate about the lyrics in this being about irony at all. π https://copyblogger.com/did-alanis-morissette-get-irony-right/ But it's a good tune nonetheless π https://youtu.be/Jne9t8sHpUc?feature=shared Edit In that link it points out that, the song being devoid of irony, is in fact because of that, ironic. Lol π€£π€£  |
| anamnesis |
This thread was discussed between 17/04/2025 and 18/04/2025
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