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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Small Snag List!

Just working through a couple of niggles on my car:

1) Wipers work but don't park themselves when you turn them off - should they? If so what's the likely culprit?

2) Driver's seat angle only has 2 working positions, fairly upright or very much reclined! I prefer something in between and the passenger seat allows more positions so something is not right, is it easy to sort out? How?

3) Throttle is quite stiff - I think this may be normal but I thought I'd look into it to see if the cable is free which it seems to be. I've wondered if it's possible to change the spring on the throttle set up on the carbs to something less powerful, thereby making the throttle a bit lighter? No problem if not.

4) Reversing lights not working. Have changed bulbs but suspect switch on gearbox. . . how hard is this to get to and change?

5) I'm thinking about changing the rear box for a straight through type for a sportier sound. Is this a bad idea? If not what's the best source?

Thanks and sorry if I'm asking too much!
Jamie1978

Hi Jamie :)

How old's the car?

1) Probably, but mine don't either and I've just got used to turning them off as they get to the bottom...

2) taking the seat out is easy, but I'm not sure how they work inside, perhaps a bit has fallen off the ratchet mechanism - I'm sure someone who knows about seats (mine stayed in for all of 30 mins or so before being swapped out) will be along in a bit.

3) If the cable is OK then some light oil on all the rotating parts of the carbs is a good idea, maybe clean that bit up as well. They are fairly stiff compared to a more modern single throttle body, which is good unless you like comedy idle speed.

4) I think you can get at the switch from underneath without taking massive amounts apart. But first check that all the wires have not fallen off and are languishing in the bottom of the boot (mine do this with irritating regularity)

4) Good idea IMO, some options include an RC 40 if you can get it to fit (a bit of juggling gets them in between the tank and the leaf spring) or a smaller silencer from one of the earlier cars. Kits are available to fit single box systems from places like magicmidget.
Rob Armstrong

Hi Jamie

I did have a 1975 Midget for a while so I can answer some questions.

1) My wipers never self parked, I had to turn them off at the right time (this may be correct or not)

2) The ratchet mechanism doesn't seem to be working properly as it should work in a similar way to the passenger seat, some teeth may have been stripped from the ratchet mechanism?

3) The stiff throttle is a well known issue on a 1500. A Teflon coated bicycle brake cable from halfords with a added extra nipple solves this and allows smooth operation.

4) My reverse lights were temperamental at best, the gear lever had to be in just the right place to make them work, the switch that engages them is on the passenger side of the gearbox from memory.

6) I cannot help on this one, I had a standard twin box system :)

Rylan
R Williams

Jamie, I seem to remember answering a question on the MGOC forum about your car earlier so I presume it is still the 1500 that you are asking about!

First the wipers most definitely self park and the later ones are two speed.If they don't self park there is a wire adrift or self park mechanism in the motor is damaged.

As RW says the throttle problem is solved by using a Teflon cable either from a bike shop or order a Teflon cable kit from an on line cable supplier.

The reversing light switch can be reached if you drive the car up some drive on ramps, but check the bulbs are being held properly in the holders behind the lenses, they can be a bad fit, and the wires/connectors in the boot can fall off too.

Exhaust wise,I ditched the cross over silencer at the back and use a single box behind the axle coming out on the passengers side.Works fine and sounds fine too.

You may need to replace the seat if the ratchet mechanism is damaged.
I put MG F leather seats in mine which are great!

Hope that is of some use.
JB Anderson

Thanks for the replies guys, especially the throttle cable tip which should be easy to do :-)
Jamie1978

Hi Jamie

We can help you with some of these things on Sunday if you want - and the throttle cable - if it's new - did you debur it with oil? Can also change it for a bike one - the 1500 one is notoriously annoying and catchy, which can sometimes result in a stiff action - have you got springs on all of them - and are they in good condition

The MGF seats are certainly better - if we bring Lil Blue - you're more than welcome to sit in and try it :)

Magic Midget for exhausts - and many other parts - Kim is excellent and his parts are superb

Wipers - depends - isn't a big deal, but can sometimes be windscreen rather than wipers - have you checked?

Reversing lights - nope, not really

Rachel Henderson

1 they should. If they don't then mostlikely the permanent live(to give power to park them) has gone wrong somewhere. Get out your wiring diagram and fix it!
2 to fix remove the seat and remove the back rest upholstory there you will find the mechanism and see what is wrong.
3 disconect all joints and check pedal cable and carbs seperatley. Now you will have determined the problem which is half way to fixing it
4 no clue on a 1500 you should have bought a 1275 then I'd be able to help ;)
5 yes more sound is better!!
Onno K

check the reversing lights by making up a connecting lead from the battery to the reversing light unit connectors - having a long lead and various connectors will come in handy for checking electrics, as will a simple bulb on two wires

driver's seat is always most worn, you may need to clean and lubricate it to get it working better (a lot of service work is just clean and lubricate)

DON'T spend and money on cosmetics, 'upgrades' or improvements unless new parts or components are required as you may need the money you spent on them for more urgent needs, once you've serviced and driven the car reliably for a full 12 months throughout the seasons including winter then you can think about such things

for the wipers there are many threads in the Archives on the subject or wait for answers here or start a new thread on that subject - altho' this website is aimed at Bs much applies to Spridgets too, have a look at what's involved with wipers and reversing lights to give you an idea - http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/hammertext.htm

a visible 'vehicle profile' for you might also help

and of course if you'd read the Driver's Handbook, and Rylan, you'd both know if 'the blades park automatically when the switch is returned to the off position'

only when all else fails RTfM, when the floor is full use the ashtays, etc., etc.
Nigel Atkins

Hi Jamie, I too have a 1500 and can tell you all about the reversing light. The cable connects on the gearbox on the right hand side if you were stood infront of the car. It can be very tricky to get to. The connection comes from the wiring loom into the tunnel and has 2 connections coming out from the gearbox. If you cant reach them from underneath your only other option is to remove the gear stick and try through the hole in the tunnel. It can be a very fiddly job.


C Carter

You can see the wires in my pic I have uploaded.
C Carter

Hiya,

The wipers should park. Probably the wires are on the switch are connected wrongly or the park switch in the motor is dud.


To test...............

Check you have ignition live on the green wire in the motor plug, this is the feed from the fuse to the park switch in the motor.


Extract the switch, turn on the wipers and put a test lamp on the light green/brown, it should pulse as the motor runs, if it does the park switch is ok.


Check the wires are on the correct terminals according to the wiring diagram.
When it's in the "off" position the park switch will feed the 1st speed (light green/red) via a contact with in the switch and the motor will park until the park switch opens.


Hope that's clear.


Regards Steve
SR Smith 1

This thread was discussed between 09/07/2013 and 10/07/2013

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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