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MG MGA - electrical problem

Right after I boasted to my wife that "everything" on our '57 MGA was working perfectly, the directional lights and the brake lights stopped working. Before I pull out my test light, and wiring diagrams, can someone save me some trouble by pointing me in the right direction? The front and rear parking and tail lights are OK, as are the headlights, and license plate light. Thanks.
brucep

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/electric/circ_f2.htm
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/electric/et104.htm
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/electric/et105.htm
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/electric/ts202.htm

If that's not enough, call again.
Barney Gaylord

Thanks Barney. After a quick look at your first reference I "wiggled" the A4 fuse that is part of both failing circuits. Again I can claim, "Everything on my MGA works!"
brucep

Hi Bruce. I have had the same problem. Wiggling the fuse also corrected it. This is a corrosion/oxidization problem on the fuse contact surfaces. I removed the fuse holder, took out the fuses, and immersed the fuse box in lemon juice for a few days! This cleans the metal contacts quite well. Cheers, Glenn
Glenn

If wiggling the fuse "fixed" it your work is not done just delayed, you need to clean the connections.
I prefer to bead blast the contacts and use dielectric grease on the contacts. The grease is different than most in that it allows electrical contact as it inhibits corrosion. Many new cars have this type of grease inside the connectors from the factory.
Poor connections caused by moisture, age and the corrosion that follows is the main source of electric maladies in our MGAs.
R J Brown

Dielectric grease is also sold as "automotive tune-up grease" at many parts stores in the little bubble-packed tubes for about $3.00 per tube.

AJ Mail

This thread was discussed between 12/09/2006 and 19/09/2006

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