MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Speedo not working

Me again :D

The speedo on my midget is not working, I have no idea where to start or what to do.

I am thinking it could be the cable?

Rylan
R Williams

Rylan

if you can undo the cable from the speedo and safely go for a very short drive as the car moves so will the cable inner if it's working you'll see it turn

Also if you and others put up your car's profile it would save asking each time which model - unless you have more than one then it gets complicted but those with more than one usually don't need to ask too much I suppose
Nigel Atkins

or come over to the Angel at Addington Green, Kent on this sunday lunchtime, with the car, and we will have a look at it for you.
A Anstead

Thanks for the offer to have a look at the car it would be a great help, however I do not have access to a trailer.

The car is currently not in a drivale state as it does not have a MOT.

I shall fingers crossed have it ready for the summer if I am lucky!
R Williams

Hi Rylan

As suggested by Nigel tremoving the cable from behind the speedo This is a simple thumb connection and then driving the car you will see a square end that should turn. 99 times out of 100 this will not be turning suggesting the cable has broken.

What I am now curious about is this?

""The car is currently not in a drivale state as it does not have a MOT.""

How do you know the speedo is not working?

Bob Turbo Midget England

Rylan
You are welcome on Sunday with or without the car. If you do decide to come what about bringing some photos of it.
Alan.
A Anstead

Bob,

I know the speedo is not working as the garage it is stored in has a forecourt in front of it, when the car is driven in or out of the garage there is no movement on the speedo. If it is the cable that has broken how hard is it to change it?

Alan,

I think I shall come along on the sunday, are there any particular areas of the car that need to be photographed? What time will you be there?

Rylan
R Williams

Very - get a new one and slide it down the tubing!

As for the photos - I suspect they want any photos of it to be nosey over ..... it's a well known fact that you get a Midget, and everyone wants to see every single little part of it ;)
rachmacb

the short drive on the forecourt that found the speedo not working is probaly enough to test if the cable is broken

Still don't know what model you have

but if it's a '73 1275 like mine changing is quite easy

especially if there are two of you and/or a lift
Nigel Atkins

Its a 1975 1500 midget.

Is it as easy as rachmacb says it is?

Could it be done just by myself or is that not really an option as I do not have a lift.
R Williams

Ryan,
It may be even simpler!
Sometimes the knurled fitting that connects the cable at the back of the speedometer just works its way loose enough for the squared end of the inner cable to disconnect from the speedo. Check that it is tight, or better still undo it, bring the end of the cable outer to where you can see it and just pull the end of the inner flexible cable out but about 1/4". Then reconnect.

Worth a try!
Guy

Rylan
We will be at the Angel from 1200hrs until about 1500hrs.There should be at least one 1500 Midget coming.
As for the photos - I suspect they want any photos of it to be nosey over ..... it's a well known fact that you get a Midget, and everyone wants to see every single little part of it ......correct!
Alan
A Anstead

Hi Alan

Just a quick note to say thanks for inviting me along today, I shall keep you informed on the progress

Hope to see you at the next meet with the midget

Rylan
R Williams

Hi Rylan,

FOR MECHANICAL SPEEDO ONLY
If you want to test the speedo without running the car you can disconnect the cable at the gearbox end, put the end of the cable in an electric drill and spin it in REVERSE. Don't put any tight bends in the cable while doing this. The down side is that the car will need to be raised to get at the connection. All caveats about working under a raised heavy mass apply :-)

HTH
Sean
sean griffiths

Update

The cable turns when the car is moved, have not had a chance to reconnect it to the speedo yet.

Anything obviously wrong with the speedo that I could be missing?

Rylan
R Williams

Ryan,
Sometimes the inner cable seems to slip too far down inside the outer - or maybe the outer stretches. Either way, it sometimes helps to pull the inner out a little bit with pliers. Only a bit mind - so that it extends beyond the end of the outer cable by about 8mm. Then make sure the squared end engages securely into the speedo when you tighten up the knurled connector on the outer cable.
Guy

As Guy says

Be aware that if the speedo has more or less seized up then it could brake your cable

If it's possible, I don't know because I've never tried, you could try putting the correct size square drive in the speedo via a hand driven drill that way you'll be able to feel how stiff the speedo mechanism is if at all (?)
Nigel Atkins

If it is not a cable fault, I have used this chap before when I needed to have my Midget's speedo head recalibrated and cleaned.That was about 7 years ago but I e-mailed him about something recently and he was very helpful.

http://www.jdo1.com/
JB Anderson

This thread was discussed between 24/03/2011 and 02/04/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.