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 MGA - Flasher unit query - LED bulbs

I have just changed my Stop/tail light bulbs on my 1500 MGA (negative earth with original style relay) with the Red Stop/tail LED Bayonet 15 mm units from http://www.classicandvintagebulbs.com/page4.html

Since doing so my indicator light (led also)on the dash has sopped working. There isn't any juice at the indicator light terminal on the flasher can when testing with a test lamp even though indicators are working fine both sides. Is it just a dud flasher can or is it caused by the installation of the led bulbs?

Thanks
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

Have you tried refitting the standard bulbs?
Dave O'Neill 2

Not yet, I thought I get the expert comments first and then see if they hold up!
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

I changed mine to LED on my 1500. The front ones light up white but flash orange. I also installed new rear orange lights. They all have LED bulbs but I had to fit an electronic flasher unit to get it all to work. As suggested refitting old bulbs would indicate (no pun) where the fault is
Paul


p anderton

The old flasher requires a certain current to flow to heat the bimetallic strip that makes it operate. LED bulbs don't draw enough current to allow this to work and indicate at the dash. You need to replace the flasher unit with one that is designed to work on low current applications.
Dominic Clancy

I hear your comment Dominic but indicators seem to be working fine. The guy sells the Led bulbs knows MGs intimately ( Concours director at 2017 MG Nat Meeting).
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

As Dominic says you have to have the LED flasher unit. From memory it was tricky to figure out what connection to make on the flasher unit to make the indicator warning work when turned left or right. Certainly wasn't intuitive but you will figure it out, but you do need an LED flasher unit for the correct flash duration with a crisp onnnnn and off function.
AR Terry

Read this page from the Brittrix LED lighting website. https://www.brittrix.com/storepage4439716.aspx It describes how to modify the wiring to a Novita relay to make your dash indicator lamp work with the rest of your lights. I have this relay and just tested it wired as described outside of the car before installing LED flashers and it works. I am keeping the standard incandescent front indicator bulbs for now with LED's in back and making a custom third brake light with integrated turn signal lamps that will mount on the trunk lid.
M Grover

Mike
The can has 3 pins

X-power
P-dash light
L-indicator switch(lights)

I'm thinking that if your indicators are operating normally but you have no power out of pin P on the can it would point towards a dead can
I see no reason why you couldn't join P and L together- Unless it increases the flashrate too much
Or a new can------
willy
William Revit

The wait is over! I fitted the standard stop/tail lights and the indicator bulb on the dash worked fine, actual indicator lights flashed at same frequency as when Led bulbs fitted. ( I earlier said the indicator bulb on the dash was an led bulb, this was incorrect it is a standard bulb but the lens makes it look like an led.)
I’ll make sure supplier warns potential customers.
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

Sorry, meant to say Tridon Flasher unit, which is also sold under the Novita name. Since the rear indicator lights flashed with the LED's and the original flasher can, you should be able to connect the dash light to the L pin along with the indicators and as long as it has a ground it should flash. Try switching your leads on the dash light if it is an aftermarket two lead light and it still doesn't work with the LED's. If you go to LED's in the front you will definitely have to go to an electronic flasher as others have stated.
M Grover

I put the insides of an electronic flasher into the housing of my original Lucas flasher to keep the look original.

Next post will have s picture of it installed.

Jim


JL Cheatham

Here’s a picture of the flasher unit installed.

Jim


JL Cheatham

This thread was discussed between 06/03/2018 and 14/03/2018

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.