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 MGF Technical - Faulty Door Mirrors, electric

Hello everyone,

Just purchased a 1996 MGF VVC and have found that both electric door mirrors and front fog/driving lights are not working, I have checked fuse 18 and all other electrics are working fine.

Please help me to fault find this problem

best regards

John
j brotheridge

Electric door mirrors on a '96 MGF? Do you mean the heated element? Or has your car been fitted with an aftermarket motorised door mirror kit?

The problem sounds like a fuse or short circuit - are you handy with a multimeter/circuit tester?
Rob Bell

Hi Rob,

All I can tell you is that I have a Knob by the ignition key that says "L MIRROR R" (same as other cars with electric mirrors).
I can click the Knob to the left or right and then toggle but nothing happens

regards

John
John B

>>All I can tell you is that I have a Knob by the ignition key that says "L MIRROR R"

The normal position for the leccy mirror adjuster knob is on on the LHS on the instrument cowl, next to the instrument brightness adjuster, so it does sound like its an aftermarket kit you have.

Steve
Steve White

Definitely an aftermarket kit you have there John - most likely sourced from Brown and Gammons. The problems that you're experiencing will therefore depend on how this kit is wired into the loom... and means that it is difficult for us to advise you beyond generalisms :o(

Good luck tracking down the problem - my first point of investigation would be the fuse box and work from there...
Rob Bell

Hi Rob,

Started to investigate and it looks like a proper MG/Rover kit as the joy stick is a rover part and the wires from the joy stick plug straight into the fuse board that is under the steering wheel.

I can also see 6 wires going to each mirror.

Q
Which fuse did Rover use on latter MGF's ?
Is there a wiring diagram I could log on to ?
Are there any relays involved ?
John B

Yes, the B&G kit uses all Rover standard parts - and the end result is usually very professional John.

The later cars (MY2000) with powered mirrors use fuse #18, and is rated at 10amps.

On a '96 MGF, the fog lamp circuit is guarded by fuse #8 (rated 10amps) in the under-steering wheel fuse compartment. I wonder if the mirror circuit that has been added is using this fuse?

The Mk1 wiring diagrams can be found on Dieter's website here: http://www.mgfcar.de/schedules/index.htm
Rob Bell

John

Don't be fooled by the quality of the finished job. Your mirrors were not standard accessories. The give away is the square base of the switch, which is flat, so it doesn't quite match the curved surface of the instrument cowl.

I have a similar kit, but supplied by SP Performance. The fuse in mine used to blow so I replaced it with a 15a version and had no trouble since. However I made sure there was no short circuit first of all.

Chris
Christopher Marshall

Chris, what fuse position does your kit use?
Rob Bell

Just sorted the problem, the earth lead from the joy stick that plugs directly on to the Fuse board had come off, mirrors now moving fine.

Thanks to every one for their help.

regards

John B
j brotheridge

Great news John :o) But what about the fog lamps?
Rob Bell

Hi Rob,

Yes looking to tackle the Front Fog Lights now so any suggestion would be great.

All I can tell is that the Fuse seems ok, both fog lights are not working and the light in the facia switch and the instrument/warning light are also not comming on.

regards

John B
j brotheridge

Try this link John: http://www.mgfcar.de/schedules/sb27.jpg

That's the wiring diagram for the fog lamps. Sounds like a problematic earth as well?
Rob Bell

Rob,

Sorry to be a pain but the diagram only shows rear fog lights and I need front, backs are working fine.

Also what fuse does the fronts use ?

regards

John B
j brotheridge

Hmm - sorry about that John. Dieter's website comes to the rescue again though: installation instructions are here: http://www.mgfcar.de/fog_lights/foglight_my2000.pdf
Looks like the kit use fuse#14 in passenger compartment fuse box...
Rob Bell

John

I see you are new to MGF life.

If you email me your postal address (or do it via Rob Bell if you prefer somebody you already "e-know") I can arrange a copy of the Workshop Manual (RAVE) on CD for you. This does everything a Haynes manual would do (if it were available) but in pdf format, and includes electrical diags.




jponting AT globalnet DOT co DOT uk



JohnP

Rob,

Thanks for the installation instructions I should now be able to trace through to find the fault.

Will let you know if I get working

regards

John
j brotheridge

Thanks to Rob I have found the problem,with the installation instruction printed off I was able to check every thing from dash board switch to bulbs.
The problem was a red/black wire had broken of the fuse board, I remove the spade connector re-crimped and replaced back on the fuse board.

Thanks to all on the thread.

John B
j brotheridge

Great work John :o)
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 23/11/2004 and 30/11/2004

MG MGF Technical index

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