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MG MGA - Starting with immobiliser

Like many of us, I have an immobiliser switch hidden away in the car. It breaks the connection from the battery to earth.

I was out in the car today, and was wondering what I would do if I lost my key for the immobiliser switch. I was thinking that as the engine block is also earthed, I could try to jump (push) start the car, or even start it with jump leads from a donor car, and the car should take me on my journey without problem, provided I dont stall it on the way.
Am I correct? If so, it's pretty easy for a determined crook to steal it, I guess.
Graham V

Open the bonnet and jump the terminals on the switch. Or if the back of the switch isn't accessible, just jump from battery earth to chassis. Then if you don't have a key, you can just do another jumper from power to ignition. These cars are very easy to steal if you know how they work. Fortunately no one has any reason to steal one other than a joyride, and very few people would know how to drive it, or even care. They would likely rather joyride someone's 1986 Acura.
Steve Simmons

Steve. Thanks. You are quite right of course.
My post was not sufficiently explicit. What I was thinking was, how easily could I get it running without a single spanner, etc available. It is somewhat academic as I do normally have a tool box in the boot.
But would a jump start get it running? -would the Dynamo (generator/alternator) give sufficient powet?
Graham V

Following on from Steve's comments about theft it reminded me of an occasion back in the 1990s when I was using the MG as my daily driver. I had to go to London for a meeting and drove to Stockport station car park and caught the train.

Some 10 hours later I returned and couldn't find the key in my pocket. I had only left it in the ignition all day.

As Steve says, I don't think anyone is that interested in stealing our cars anymore.
Malcolm Asquith

Someone told me to reposition one of the fuses between the 2 fuse blocks. This by-passes the ignition switch and makes the circuit live. Never tried it though.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve’s method of putting one fuse between the holders certainly works. I have done it a few t8mes

Paul
Paul Dean

This thread was discussed between 08/09/2021 and 11/09/2021

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