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MG MGA - Flash to Pass Optional Extra - Relay Location?

Do any of you out there have the little known option:

"Flash to Pass" - headlight flasher switch

I think the relay is either fitted in front of the heater or behind the dash somewhere. Behind this dash will obviously differ from LHD to RHD cars.

If you think this was installed by the factory, can you send in a photo of where your relay is mounted please?


http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/accessories/at113.htm


Many Thanks
Mark
Mark Hester

You just missed out on an original one on the UK e-bay website that was listed earlier this week.
I have looked today but it appears to be gone along with its matching relay. I have never seen one advertised anywhere before, but I was still shocked at the price, I seem to recall somewhere in the region of £40 just for the switch.

I am in the process of fitting Barneys alternative to the original flasher switch.
This is a combined flash to pass/dipswitch which uses an Volkswagen relay and you can still get them from Volkswagon-Audi Group dealers in the UK for just over £20.

My repro dipswitch is beginning to play up and more often than not, just switches the lights off when I operate it.
Also my size 12s tend to get jammed between the clutch pedal and the tunnel so this has prompted me to make the change.
It will give me a bit more space to park my left foot too.

I am going to put the flasher/dipswitch in the hole where the indicator light is normally fitted close to the steering wheel and reposition the indicator lamp to the hole above the steering wheel where the instrument light rheostat is normally fitted.
I will re-position the rheostat under the dashbord within easy reach although, to be honest, once I have adjusted the instrument illumination I tend never to adjust it again.

I will let you know how this goes once I have fitted it ( and once the smoke has cleared!)

Cheers

Colyn

(With belated apologies to one of our Australian friends, Neil Ferguson? I think, who compared operating the dipswitch with a size 12 shoe size to "sticking your foot into a bear trap!
I poked some mild fun at him at the time but I take it all back.
I seem to recall asking him how bad could that really be as there were no bears in Australia!
His reply was typical Oz, he said "We do have bears mate, Koala Bears! They bite and they Pee!")

Colyn Firth

This is the link to the one which I think Colyn mentioned. Only £75

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MGA-Flash-pass-Headlight-flasher-switch-Relay-/180747342022?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a156190c6
J Bray

Mark, From the SPL, the image of the relay is dotted which suggests that it should be on the engine side of the firewall in a horizontal orientation. There is a picture in Clausager of a red twin cam that has it mounted in front of the heater. The relay is apparently supposed to have a black cover with a Lucas imprint - it would be interesting to see one.
M Wellard

I have wired a simple flick switch into the main beam wiring (fused power supply) which flashes the headlights. I have not fitted a relay as took the view that the few seconds of use should be OK.I had a spare switch orifice that the PO left next to the Speaker panel which was ideal. I have also fitted an electric washer flick switch to replace the push pull manual switch (again fused through my extra 8 gang fuse box)) I also added a buzzer to the indicator warning light circuit to remind me to turn off the indicators as I have tightened the indicator switch to stay on rather than the stupid timed idea which always turned off too soon.
The buzzer and flick switches are cheap from Maplins and all can easily be reversed if required
Paul
P D Camp


Many thanks for the eBay link J Bray.

Interesting it quotes my car on how to fit it and I've not even fitted it yet !!! Chicken and Egg on thinks.

I'm getting the sub harness made here in Perth:

http://www.bygonesparesandrestorations.com/


Mark, I see what your saying about the Lucas plastic cover. I bet these are very hard to find. but I will ask Peter Wood today.

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/accessories/pics/ftp_relay2.jpg

This relay shown above has 4 terminals and the one on eBay (attached) and mine only have three terminals.

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/accessories/pics/ftp_relay1.jpg

I'll try and get a clearer photo for Barney's site soon.

Still not 100% sure where to mount the relay though, as my bulkhead does not appear to have matching holes.

Cheers
Mark



Mark Hester

Hi again Mark,

If you have info on the sub harness, as used originally, could you please send some measurements (colours, length and route). I am also interested in a black plastic cover if you come across a second one.

The ebay relay that I have also has 4 terminals. I think two are joined so three may be OK.

Cheers, Mark
M Wellard

Yes lots of info.

email me offline and I can send it to you.

I spoke to Peter Wood today and he had not seen the Black plastic cover type relay before.

Please post a photo of the relay you have?


Thanks
Mark
Mark Hester

The 4-terminal relay (factory original type) does not have any common terminals. See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/accessories/at113.htm

Terminals C1 and C2 are the primary contacts for power switching (interchangeable). Terminals W1 and W2 are the coil terminals (interchangeable). This way the power wire (C1) can be always hot, while the coil input (W1) can be connected to the switched fuse so it will only operate with ignition switch on.

A 3-terminal relay could have one of a couple different internal circuits. It may be that C1 and W1 are on the same terminal, and grounding W1 will switch it, in which case it will work with ignition off. Or possibly W2 might be grounded to the case, in which W1 will require power input to switch it.

It is possible to convert a 4-terminal relay to 3-wire operation. You can connect C1 and W1 together to make it operate without the ignition switch. Or you can ground W2 to make it operate with trigger power input.
Barney Gaylord

This thread was discussed between 10/11/2011 and 11/11/2011

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