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MG TD TF 1500 - Back up lights

When I bought my 51 TD, it had a single white light mounted just above the left side of the rear bumper. It was activated by a switch under the dash. I assume this was used as a reverse light. Does anyone else have a similiar accessory.
Russ Oakley

Russ

Aparently others have. check out the backup light on this TD on E-bay.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MG-T-Series-1953-MG-TD-Fully-Restored_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ31858QQitemZ4609077323QQrdZ1
Bruce Cunha

I have an original Lucas one on mine.... http://www3.sympatico.ca/gordonblawson/td/td184.jpg
You can take the wire and run it to the "reverse light switch" on the transmission if you want...the switch is directly above the master cylinder, up inside the tunnel.
The mechanic who rebuilt it in '67 took the hot wire from the brake light switch (hot side) and ran it up to the transmission switch, then back to the reverse light. Works just like any modern car...put it in reverse, and the light comes on.
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Gordon, I have the same Lucas light on my 54 TF. Switch mounted under the dash.
Mwhitt

I just bought a NOS Lucas 494 one that comes with a bracket I hope to mount off the bottom of the number plate support "T" bracket. I just HOPE that the reverse light switch I had on my BGT is or can be put on my TD tranny as Gordon apparently has. I hope my former English teacher doesn't get a look at that last sentence (lotta 'hopes' here).

John

BTW, I have dafodils blooming in my front yard
John Redman

John - You could have gone all day without that last BWT statement, at least as far as those of us living in in the northern latitudes are concerned :) Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Mine is attached to a piece of plate steel about 2" x8" drilled to mount to the bumper bolt.... I am going to move it to the spare tire mount passenger side post ... (opposite the license plate bracket) and run the wire through the pipe.
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Dave, Ya, well, have YOU unlimbered your lawn mower yet?

Gord, Running the wire thru the pipe is a big attraction to me, as well, but putting the light output on the driver's side seems important to me, too.

Bruce, Doncha wonder what the Orange lights are all about?
Cheers All,

John
John Redman

John,

What you (all) need to go with the light, is the Lucas automatic switch that mounts in the hole provided for it on the gearbox - part 106, OEM AEC385, Lucas part # 31542. I bought a couple before Lucas stopped making them. It just screws into the hole provided and engages the reverse slider when activated. Works well.

I have no idea where to get them unless Gregory's has them.

Its not the same as the MGB.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

Gordon, can you provide a picture of that switch?

John, my crocus flowers are coming up with the daffodils right behind here in upper east Tennessee. Warmer temps are heading north!
Mwhitt

Gordon, Just to (try to)take the easy way, do you have a spare that I could buy from you?

John
John Redman

Mwhitt - where do I send it?

John. I might but its in my shed and I can't do anything 'till next week

GAC

Gordon A. Clark

John R.
Yea, I saw those also. If your going to restore. why add non-original stuff?

Wonder if those might be a modified turn signal?
Bruce Cunha

Your reponse got me looking at my transmission. I can't find any place for a switch, My engine number in ~11000. Maybe it doesn't have one.
Russ Oakley

Russ, I am curious, too, and Gord will surely tell.
Gord, I'm in no hurry.

John
John Redman

Sorry, missed this post... if you lay on your back as if you were looking at the master cylinder, you should see a switch directly above up on the side of the transmission, maybe a bit frontwards...if no switch, then there should be a "plug" that would accept one. If my memory serves me (?), it looks like a brake light switch but must be mechanical inside? Am not sure if the tunnel has to be removed to install it? My engine is #27971, don't know if it was just on later ones or not....
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Gord, that floor is awfully cold this time of the month!
Mwhitt

I checked the break-down parts illustrations, of the, OEM, Abingdon and B&G catalogues, and the parts number illustration for the plug is #106. The Moss part nbr. is 137. This is on the left side of the speedometer gear casing (facing forward).

Again, remove this plug, and install switch OEM (BMC I think) AEC385, Lucas part # 31542.

I have a picture. Let me know your e-mail addr. and I'll send it to you.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

Gord,

For the picture.

John
John Redman

Gordon

for the picture also

Rick
RG Taylor

John, Rick,

Check your mail.

GAC

Gordon A. Clark

Hey Gordon. I would like a picture as well. Thanks. Larry
Larry Brown

Larry,

Check your mail.

GAC
Gordon A. Clark

Say Gordon, how about one that I can put on TTalk's Picture_This page?
Bud Krueger

Gord,

Much thanks. I see the plug 137 but access will be a bear.

John
John Redman

I have the tunnel off my transmission and still don't see any place a switch would fit. It must have been added to later models, I plan to looks at Horscht Schachs book to see if any of his tranny pictures show it.
Russ Oakley

Russ,

Look on the left side of the transmission, where the extension bolt on. ( Where the shifting forks are)
There is a about 1/2 inch round plug, flush with the surface. It may be painted over or covered with oil & grease.
Don Harmer

Russ,

The gearbox is standing on its nose here, I'm supposed to be showing the pin placement for the transmission mount repair, but you can clearly see the flush plug. It has a slotted screw head, just under the aluminum gear shift extension.

http://mysteryship.photosite.com/MGTDRebuild/tranny/Pin_side_and_cotter_which_need_to_be_cleared_on_mount.html

good luck,
dave
Dave Braun

I have mine on a "toggle" mounted on pannel under dash. Couple of reasons I did it this way. 1st "rented" garage had no eletric or lights so it was nice to be able to leave car running in neutral with the light on...always backed it into the parking spot. Very handie as a "hey mr.suv...yer too damned close to my posterior, please to "back off" warrning!
(Works well!) Actually, it worked "too" well first time I used it. A friend gave me a bulb from a landing light out of a lear-jet! I had some idiot tailgating me down the outerbelt for about 5 miles...a quick "flash" from that puppy got him right off my butt. (it also lit up the freway for about 3 miles!) Couple of reasons I changed that....freeway patrol was not amused....and it was slightly "taxing" the eletrical system given the low output of the genny!
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

This thread was discussed between 02/02/2006 and 09/02/2006

MG TD TF 1500 index

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