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MG MGF Technical - Headlamps/interior lamps

Two questions.
Is there a simple(cheap)way of improving dip beam performance? At present, even with the MG +30% bulbs they are dangerous on any unfamiliar road.
The fuse protecting the interior lights/clock/radio keeps blowing not always imediately and also effects the alarm system, any ideas?
Terry Wickens

> Is there a simple(cheap)way of improving dip beam performance? At present, even with the MG +30% bulbs they are dangerous on any unfamiliar road.

I adjusted the headlamp to point the lights up a little more. You have to be careful not to go over the top and dazzle other road users or throw the lights so far out that they cause an MOT failure though. It helps a little but is not perfect.

The expensive option is to trade in and buy a TF on which the headlights work really well.

>The fuse protecting the interior lights/clock/radio keeps blowing not always imediately and also effects the alarm system, any ideas?

Possibly a wire on the same circuit shorting out and causing the fuse to blow. A fairly common fault that occurs with the wiring loom going into the boot lid. Basically look in the handbook and find what electrical items share the same fuse, of those look for ones where the wiring loom has to move, ie. bootlid, doors etc.

HTH. :)
Paul Lathwell

Terry,

>The fuse protecting the interior lights/clock/radio keeps blowing not always imediately and also effects the alarm system, any ideas?

Check the looms at the back of the radio - quite often they get trapped and end up shorting. Take out the centre vent and you can see down there quite clearly.
See http://www.apttony.co.uk/Servicing/Vents.html

Tony
Tony Thompson

>> Is there a simple(cheap)way of improving dip beam performance? <<

Short answer - no.

Long answer is the reduction over time in light output is not caused by the bulbs, it is caused by the silvering of the reflector bowl oxidising and the gases produced staining the lens.

Additional lamps should be wired in with the main beam circuit so won't help you with your dip beam problem.

The only real solution os to get the reflector bowls re-chromed (and clean the inner lens). Rob Bell has recently done this and has more details if you want them. Hopefully he'll spot this thread and reply (probably on Monday).

The other (expensive) solution is to either fit TF lamps (and bumper) to your F or trade your F for a TF (and blind everyone else with excessive dazzle caused by refractions in the fish eye lens and firm, bouncy suspension). This however is another issue...

SF
Scarlet Fever

This thread was discussed on 20/03/2004

MG MGF Technical index

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