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MG MGF Technical - Rear Heated Switch Installation

I have recently purchased a switch and relay on ebay for the hardtop heated window my 1999 V MGF. The ad said SIMPLE FITTING and EASY TO FOLLOW instructions! This IS NOT the case on mine!

They are official MGF parts and I do have the instructions in front of me but the instructions are for a Mk1 dash. Mine must be a late 1999 model as it has the Mk2 dash. The instruction I have say to simply pull out the switch facia panel and there will be a wire/plug visible which will simlpy fit onto the switch. Well my switch panel on my dash is moulded to the whole center console and there's no way that it's just giong to flip up like in the picture! I read somewhere that you can get access to the backs of the switches by unscrewing the panel in the driver's footwell. I did this and managed to pop out a couple of blank switches so I could see what's behind. I got a torch around the back and there is no spare wire/switch available as far as I can see. Does anyone have any suggestions?

After reading that it is simple to install and so many people on message boards saying "it's a 10 minute job"... Am i going to need to take it to an MG garage?
Ben Durman

ben, not done it myself as car was already fitted but ... does it say pull out the switch facia panel or do they mean the switch blanking plate for just that switch?
JohnP

The blanks pull out on the MK1, if you cant get enogh grip then drill a small hole in the blank and insert an picture hook.

The Mk1 switches are quite diffrent from the Mk2 versions - and the connectors are too,
Will Munns

Hi John, Thanks for replying.

The picture has the whole switch panel being (simply) pulled out and then the next picture has a vague arrow pointing behind the panel with a suggestion of cutting some tape to release the spare cable.
Ben Durman

Yes... to confirm... The instructions actually tell me to pull out the whole switch panel (under the heater dials) with all the switches in.... and then push out the blanks.
Ben Durman

Here is the page that I'm referring to:

http://www.innivo.com/mg/mgf.gif

You can see what I mean about the panel in No.5
Ben Durman

I don't Suppose anyone has the instructions for mk2 installation? I would be greatful for any help or suggestions.

Thanks,
Ben.
Ben Durman

I've recently fitted a switch and relay to Fred ('98 F). Quite easy, you need to pop out the blank switch (on my car my switches are the upper image layout in pic 6) and fit in new switch by plugging in to existing wiring (might need to root around a bit for this). The relay was a bit more fiddly as in awkward place under the steering wheel area as in pic 11 in your instructions. then it's just a case of finding the connectors at the rear of your car and plugging in to hardtop. I didn't have too much trouble at all and was no need to take the complete panel off at all. Any more probs and I'll try to help.

HTH

Susanne
mgfsoo

Ben, I'm about to email David Clelland to see if he has his instructions.
JohnP

PS: Popped out the blank switch with some gentle persuasion with a screw driver!
mgfsoo

Hi Ben,

Will's absolutely right when he says that the Mk2 dash has different switches to that used in the Mk1 - which switch do you have? The Mk2 switch part number is YUG102570 PMP

The general instructions that you have follows for the Mk2 dash. The switch blanks push out from behind, as you've found, so it is a question of identifying the correct slot in which to insert the new switch.

Identifying the loom is clearly a little harder. The wires have three colours - Black/Orange, Black and Black Green. The wiring diagram I have doesn't show it, but I presume that the switch is illuminated with the dash, so there ought to be a Red/Black wire as well.

If you can identify these wires from the space viewed from the footwell, then all well and good. Otherwise you may want to remove the whole centre console...

To give you some idea of what to expect - http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/DIY/interior/centre_console/index.htm
Rob Bell

Ben has a Mk2 console!

DC also has Mk2.

Suspect if you remove the tunnel side panel (by your legs, either side, 2? screws to hold it in) you will be able to reach behind and push the switch panel out.

I PRESUME YOU DISCONNECT THE BATTERY BEFORE DOING ANY OF THIS?
JohnP

Ben,

The Mark 1 and Mark 2 switches are quite different. On the mark 2 (MY2000 and TF) the first thing to do is look in your handbook to see where the Heated Rear Window switch is fitted. They are "keyed" and it should only fit in the one location. The wires are also plugged into the back of the blank. Take off the footwell light panel (I did both) and put your hand up the back and push out the appropriate blank with the wire attached (mine was to the left of the fog light switch). The wire is not very long so watch that you don't lose it when you unplug the blank. Plug in the HRW switch and push it back into the hole. Refit the footwell panels. Next is the relay. This usually goes into the empty space in the fuse board to the right of the steering column. I've heard people say that sometimes there isn't a empty space. If that is the case you'll probably find a plug taped to the wiring loom at the back of this board - that's where the realay goes. Once you've done all that and got your hardtop on and the wire plugged in behind the passengers headrest you're ready to go. However and this is important - the HRW will not work without the engine running.

If you're still having problems e-mail me (dc at csmgf dot co dot uk) and I'll see if I can find the instructions that went with my kit. No easy job if you've ever seen my garage.
David Clelland

Ben,

It's just occurred to me. If you've got the fitting instructions for a Mark 1 panel, do you have the correct switch? Check by comparing it to the ones already in your car.
David Clelland

thnx dave
JohnP

Ben

Appologies, complete brain fade, one of those weeks! I did take off the switch panel to get to the wiring. Seems you've received lots of advice anyway. Hope you've managed to sort it all out.

Susanne
mgfsoo

The socket on the cable is often tucked away in some inaccessible place. You may have to take both side panels off to find it. I did!

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Thanks everyone for your help... I really do appreciate it. David Cleveland seems to have hit the nail on the head and I'm looking forward to checking out the suggestions when it stops pissing down!!! I have the Mk2 switches and console but I had only tried removing the 2 blanks to the right of the fog light switch so it may be that I missed the blank to the left that is already connected. As for the relay... I didn't get that far before but I'm hoping that I'll have a space.

The 1st time the switch was delivered to me, it was a slightly shorter/fatter switch which that my others. I presumed it was a mk1 and sent it back. The HRW switch I have now is definitely the same size as the fog light switch I have so I presume I have the correct version now. When I removed the blank/s the HRW switch didn't seem to want to go into the hole but it may be as David said that there is a certain hole it needs to go into.

Anyway... I'll let you all know how I get on. Thanks again for your help.

Ben
Ben Durman

OK... Thanks to your help, I now have the switch fitted in the correct switch panel hole and have fitted the relay (although I needed to push the fuses situated to the left of the relay slots back a bit to make some space to push the relay in). The switch now lights up when switched on so I presume that's a good start! I can't feel if the heated strips are heating up so I'm going to have to wait until I can test it out when I'm misted up!!
Ben Durman

Some heavy breathing on the inside of the window while it's switched on will tell you if it's working :-)
David Clelland

This thread was discussed between 22/10/2004 and 24/10/2004

MG MGF Technical index

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