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MG MGF Technical - Automatic dipped headlight mod needed

Hello MGF'ers!

Question: Does anyone know how to change the MGF to have dipped headlights being turned on as soon as the ignition is on?

Why this question: I live in Sweden with my MGF and here it's mandantory to have some sort of light switched on while driving a car, even during daytime. Since I imported my car from Germany, the MGF lack any automation and I have to remember to switch on the light. This rarely happens (me remebering that is) since as a multicar owner, the rest of the "Swedish" cars I drive the dipped headlight is always turned on when the ignition is on.
Hence you ae not used to have to turn on the lights.

As an alternetive I have considered to retrofit fog lights and leave them on permanently. The con of that is if I turn on the dipped headlight an leave the fog light on, you might be fined in Sweden since its illegal to use both at the same time.

...who said it was easy to live in Sweden?

Appreciating all suggestions.

Regards,
Ronny
Ronny

>The con of that is if I turn on the dipped headlight an leave the fog light on, you might be fined in Sweden since its illegal to use both at the same time.

Ronny, are you sure about this ?
I've fitted fog lights (original) and the work while the headlight is on. Was told that (sorry guys) EU recommendations got changed the other year.

RE: dipped light if ignition on for Sweden. (soon in the rest of the EC also)
Dunno about your profession and electric works skills, but it should be easy if you get the wiring diagram.
http://www.lame-delegation.de/mgf-net.de/schedules/sb26.jpg
For the wires colour code (UG etc) you will need
http://www.lame-delegation.de/mgf-net.de/schedules/color.htm

HTH
Dieter >>> wondering whether Carl hasn't done this mod already ;)
Dieter Koennecke

Hello Dieter,

In Sweden it's illegal to have both fog light and dipped headlight switched on simultaneously. It's either or. If you are cauth you risk a fine of appr. €70.

Wiring diagrams, eh'. Well I better brush of my Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (Dipl. Ing.) skills then.

Thanks for the links Diether. I'll be study the diagram to see if I can find a neat solution.

So Carl has also imported his MGF to Sweden. Seems like there are three questions I have for Carl them:
-Does he know of a good mgf service fascility i Stockholm?
-Where could I find the bootlid opener in Sweden you reccomended?
-Has he done the modification to have the dipped headlight turned on with the ignition?
I hope to get in contact with him.

Regards,
Ronny

Ronny Peschel

Ronny,
Disconnect the red wire from the switch which controls the lights. That is the switch on the column. You will need to remove the covers from the column. Connect the red wire to a switched live wire on the ignition switch. This could be a yellow wire, I am not sure. Anyway it is one which becomes live when the ignition is switched on. You will require a short length of wire and connectors (ScotchLok in UK) to do this. The red must be disconnected from the light switch otherwise turning on the side lights as normal will switch on the ignition!
HTH
Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

PS Ronny,
Forgot to mention that this will bring on the side lights only. Is this OK or must you have dipped headlamps as well?
Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Hello Bruce,

Thanks for your description. I'm not sure what you mean by the side light. If that is the light that is being turned on by turning the light switch on the MGF only one snap, yes, that should be OK. The terms are a bit different to what we call the lights in Sweden.

I have never opened up the electricity surrounding the wheel before. But there's a first time for everything.

Thanks for your support!

Regards,
Ronny

PS Here follows a small dictionary based on my findings in this thread:
British Swedish-English
Side lights Parking light (still to be confirmed)
Dipped headlight Half light
Headlight Full light
Ronny Peschel

Yep,
Side lights=the four small lights, one at each corner of the car.
Dipped beam=main lights set that they don't dazzle oncoming drivers
Main beam=main lights set to blind oncoming drivers!
HTH :-)
Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Bruce,

I have been studying Dieters schematics on http://www.lame-delegation.de/mgf-net.de/schedules/sb26.jpg and http://www.lame-delegation.de/mgf-net.de/schedules/sb2.jpg and I see what you mean. I must say I can't fully comprehend the different stages of the ignition key. It's hard to read some of the text on the scanned schematics. However, with some panels removed and a multimeter in my hand I will verify that it indeed is the yellow wire I will need to hook up to.

I will do this modification in conjunction with a planned "entertainment" enhancement. I plan to install new 2-way speakers, two amplifiers and a sub. I will need to dismount part of the interior while doing this and to re-connect the light at the same time seems like a good idea.

Bruce and Dieter, thanks for your help on this! It's impressive to see the collected knowledge that is out there...

/Ronny
Ronny Peschel

Ronny,
Just a thought. If you do cut the red wire then don't cut it close to the connector. Leave enough wire from the connector so that you can reverse your modification, if need be! I suggest at least 7cm. HTH and thanks for your thanks.
Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Bruce, thanks for the suggestion, that was exactly what i intended to to. Also to document the changes with diagram and pictures so that it's reversible.
/Ronny
Ronny Peschel

This thread was discussed between 26/08/2001 and 28/08/2001

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