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MG MGA - flashers just all stopped working

First I am not the sharpest pencil in the group , when it comes to electrical work....so bear with me.

My driver light signal lamp was not working. I figured out that there was power to the socket and the bulb would light when it was pushed in. At that time all other lights in the car worked IE: brake headlights passenger flasher light. The problem seemed to but the inside contact points in the socket were not making contact with the bulb , unless I pushed the bulb into the socket. Then the bulb would light.


So here is the problem.....I pushed the bulb in and now none of the lights, except the headlights work. No flasher, no running lights. I checked the fuses and they are OK , so I am confused. What did I screw up and what do I do to fix it.
Thanks
Gordon Harrison

Hi Gordon
Are you saying that all the indicator bulbs except one were working ok, but when you pressed on the bulb that didn’t work, they all stopped working?
I would first check if there is power to the flasher unit. Easiest with a simple test light. On rhd cars, the flasher unit is normally in the engine bay next to the two fuses. If so, then follow the circuit on. Maybe you have blown the flasher unit, but it should be easy enough to tell.
Graham V

I will try that and hope it will solve the problem. Must be something simple. If I get a faulty flasher unit I will change it and at the same time change the parking light contact wires.
Gordon Harrison

Let us know how you get on and if you have problems
Graham V

When you inserted and turned the bulb, did perhaps the contact plate in the socket also turn?
Lew Palmer

Try a new flasher unit. Not knowing how old it is, it may have expired.

I had a bulb socket which failed due to age when my directional signals stopped working.

We all have to remember these cars are very old and strange things, especially electrical, quit.

Cheers

Gary

79 MGB
gary hansen

1600 or 1500?
Dominic Clancy

Hi Dominic, welcome back, hope all is well
willy
William Revit

First simple check is to remove the bulb completely from the socket and see what happens

Then check you are getting 12V to the socket and have a good earth - just test between the socket contacts for the bulb and the casing of the housing.

Then let us know what the results are and a more structured diagnosis is then possible, but we also need the information on whether you have 1500 or 1600 direction indicators - do you have the 8 point relay on your firewall?.
Dominic Clancy

This thread was discussed between 22/09/2019 and 21/10/2019

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