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 MGB Technical - Fire Down Below!

This may be similiar to other smoke/fire questions but here goes. I just installed a Bosch alt on my 73B with no wiring modifications needed. Direct plug in and I put heat shrink on the extra bolt in the back as per Bob Munch. Drove 2 or 3 times and no problems. On the way back from dinner with my wife(of course she had to witness this!) the wipers came on all by themselves. Moving the wiper stalk did not stop them. Not a good sign. Smoke then came pouring out from under the dash and I pulled over. Tried to turn the car off and that did not work. (Car has DPO installed starter button where you turn key on column and then push button) Car then stopped. I removed the in-line wiper fuse according to the manual and another in-line fuse below it for good measure. Car then started and we drove the 1/2 mile home with no smoke or fire. Had to go out of town for week and just got back. Before I go tearing into things, are there any suggestions where to look? By the way, I also changed steering wheels and have not been able to connect the horn due to difference in mechanicals. We ate at Applebee's, if that makes any difference. You never know. Thanks.
Gary Elmenthaler

In-line wiper fuse? Push-button starter? Sounds a bit non-standard to me, in which case the PO may have done anything to the wiring.

The wipers will run if either the park-switch contacts close or if the manual switch contacts close. If the PO tried to be clever and wired the park circuit to an always hot wire (via a fuse) so the wipers would always park even when the ignition was turned off then I can see that the park-switch shorting out could keep the engine running, and also shorting to ground would cause smoke.

Given the apparent non-standard nature of the wiring the only thing you can do is look carefully at the wiring, wiper motor and switches to see if you can see any signs of burning.

Similarly with the wheel, if we don't know what it is we can't help.

Hope you enjoyed your meal.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed on 17/05/2002

MG MGB Technical index

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