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MG MGB Technical - Gearshift New OD Switch Failure


Hi all,

I have a brand new gearshift overdrive switch fail in my newly restored GT. It lasted approximately 180 kilometres of driving before failing. Got back home and closer inspection testing, revealed that joining the overdrive switch wires actuated the overdrive, but the sliding switch when tested for continuity with a multi-meter showed the switch failure.

Anyone have a similar problem? I am finding the poor quality of replacement parts from Moss to be increasingly bad!

Maurie P


R M Prior

Hi again,

In an effort to assist in resolving issues such as this, as regards the product quality of reproduction parts, I have attached another image, showing the vast difference, between the one supplied by Moss and what was most likely an original Lucas switch.

The older switch is on the right, and was fitted to the used overdrive gearshift I had purchased some time ago, to be incorporated into my MGB GT. The image shows the original Lucas switch on the right, and the new, reproduction item on the left, and the interesting difference between where the twin brass contact rails on the outside of the switch, are shown uppermost in the image. To understand how these items worked, I took the original apart hoping to repair it, but no joy with that, however I found that the twin brass rails are moulded into the hollow nylon casing and these permanently fixed rails protrude only partially inside where a small spring tensioned roller, operated by the sliding plastic part, bridges the rails to make a contact.

The item is almost a sealed unit and is too fiddly to repair, so a replacement is the best option but when the reproduction item is so poorly made, it becomes a problematic and expensive issue if one needs to repeatedly replace it.

Hope this helps to explain it?

Maurie Prior




R M Prior

Par for the course. I had a main lighting switch that didn't work at all until I opened it up and cleaned it. headlamp sub-harnesses with bullets completely incompatible the harness connectors. Two felt pads for the bottom of the doors in the detailed item image but only one supplied. It goes on and on. All from Moss as it happens but none of the suppliers are immune.
paulh4

If you have a tame woodturner, he can make a wooden gear knob with a generic (round) mini rocker switch. Threading is easy enough with a bolt as a tap, having treated the tapping hole with CA glue. I make the attached in the UK. (As it has a led telltale it also needs an earth)


Michael Beswick

Mauri-
For years people have been complaining to Moss about this abysmal switch, yet Moss hasn't bothered to replace it with a better design.
Stephen Strange

I have had difficulty with turn signal, headlamp rockers, brake light and just about every other switch I have replaced on the B and the midget. The Taiwanese replacements from Moss are not up to the task.
Glenn Mallory

This thread was discussed between 11/09/2023 and 16/09/2023

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