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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Purple wire on new ignition switch

I have just spent the last 10 months restoring a 1975 midget and now ready to check out the wiring. The PO had put a generic start switch and ran the start wire directly to the start SOL. I bought a new midget parts switch and, my question is "where do you hook up the purple wire"?

All of the polution equipment has been removed and also the seatbelt wiring has been cut. I don't know what has been done to the wiring other then that, so I my have to spend some time hashing it out. It ran when I bought it last October.

Dick Bishop
RC Bishop

I assume the PO used purple as this represents fused 'live all the time' like the horns and interior lights. So the wire should go: 'purple fuse' to switch; switch to solenoid. This will allow you to crank the engine wihtout the ignition 'on'. If you never want to do this, you should wire:

ignition spade (white wires) to switch; switch to solenoid.

HTH

A
Anthony

The purple wire I am talking about is the one that comes up with the new switch but has a connector and is expected to connect to something on the steering column. I just cannot see any where to connect it.

Dick Bishop
RC Bishop

Im not all that famerilar with the 1500's but my guess its to the horn..as the purple is always hot as anthony points out

prop
Prop

Dick. You need to obtain a copy of the wiring diagram and look at where it has the wire going.

On the MGB, there was a wire going to the ignition switch that powered the buzzer sounded when the door(s) were open while the key was in the ignition switch. One of the requirements the US federal government made of car makers at that time. Your wire is, probably, something similar to this function.

But, a copy of the wiring diagram is a must to have for any owner and will be used many times to figure out where problems lie. Getting a good copy, having it expanded to 3x standard size, and having it laminated so that you can draw on it with dry erase markers, is a good investment.

And, you know that the answers will be correct rather than someone's best guess.

Les
Les Bengtson

I have a wiring diagrams and it shows that the purple wire goes to the audio alarm but there is no where to connect to the switch. I don't know what has been done in the past. I thing that this wire would give an alarm when the key is in, but this key/ignition system does not have any connection.

Dick Bishop
RC Bishop

I find that http://www.spridget-tech.com/page2.html is usefull for wiring diagrams.

Has the cable got a trace to it ie Purple/Pink has from the diagram I loooked at it would go to a Ignition Switch audible buzzer.

Shaun
Shaun

Might be the PO got fed up with the buzzer and just striped it out!!!!
Shaun

OK, I reached down into the bucket by my desk and pulled out an ignition switch ;-) From a 1974. There is a purple wire with a pink stripe for the ignition key buzzer that is bundled with the ignition switch wiring and connects to the bottom of the ignition key assembly. There is a pin coming down beneath the key which grounds out the other side of the connector when the key is in the lock.
David "gonna put that switch into a car one of these days..." Lieb
David Lieb

I looked and saw the pin but there is something missing as there are 2 uplifts in which something fits between with a small screw. The piece missing is what the purple wire can be connected too. Can someone send a picture of what this wire connects too on the ignition switch. Thanks David Lieb as this is what I have been looking for.

Dick Bishop
RC Bishop

Well, since I have already admitted to having one here at my desk, I guess I already volunteered ;-)

Here are a couple shots of it. Hope it helps...
David "not quitting my day job" Lieb
David Lieb

And now to try to hit the Upload button BEFORE the Submit button...


David Lieb

Thanks for the image as it explanes a lot. My connection is missing. I guess I will just live without it for know as I don't want to buy a complete key assy.
I just got it on the road after 11 months and want to enjoy the driving before the rains set in. (I live in Washington state, enought said!) I don't intend on driving this car in any rain as put too much work in the retoration, just a summer fun car.

Dick Bishop
RC Bishop

Another concept is that you could use that feed to create a circuit to set off the buzzer when you leave the lights on. Much more useful to me.
David "dead battery" Lieb
David Lieb

This thread was discussed between 26/08/2008 and 02/09/2008

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