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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 TD TF 1500 - Brake light switch

Where is the brake light switch on the TF? My brake lights occasionally do not work, and I might want to clean the contacts, but am not sure where the switch is. Ron
Ron Coates

Ron - The brake light switch on the TF is under the car on the inside of the left frame rail, just forward of the drivers seat. There is nothing you can do about the contacts, it is a sealed unit and will have to be replaced if it is bad. To determine if it is failing, have tha car backed close to a wall or the garage door, where you can see when the brake lights come on. Press on the brake pedal and see how hard you have to press before the lights come on. the usual failure is that the brake lights don't come on untill you are exerting considerable pressure on the brake pedal (more that required to slow the car). If you find that this is the case and replacement is necessary, hunt around untill you can find a new old stock Lucas switch. The replacement switches being carried today are such light duty switches that they will only last a few weeks before they too are failing. One possible source is from Jeff Zorn of Little British Car Co. http://www.lbcarco.com/ . Jeff has some NOS switches for MGBs when I needed one and the switch for the early MGBs (64-67) are the same switch as used on the T series except that it has spade lugs for attaching the wires to instead of the grub screws (they are cheaper too). I would also recommend putting a relay in the stop light circuit to take all the current load off of the switch, thereby greatly extending it's life (by the way, thenon Lucas replacement switches will not even stand up to the small current drawn by the relays). If you want to install a relay, e-mail me direct for a diagram. Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

I put in a new brake switch that I ordered from Moss last year and it is holding up fine. I have even added one of those upper brake lights so that people behind can see and I have had no problem with burning out the switch or any other problem.
Tom Maine

>>>> find a new old stock Lucas switch. The replacement switches being carried
today are such light duty switches that they will only last a few weeks before they too are failing. <<<<

Good Lord. I never dreamt I would hear Lucas being lauded over modern stuff.

Come back Joe, all is forgiven!
Geoff Love

Ironic, isn't it, Geoff? Actually I have NEVER had any problems with Lucas electrics, just what some of the DPOs have done to them. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Ron, Take the switch out, & go to an auto parts store. Match it up with any metric thread switch, Audi, V.W etc. I got a very good brand name switch [bendix?] for about $4.00. Terminals had to be installed on the ends of the wires. Done. Len
Len Fanelli

Would you believe this. Go to your local NAPA Auto Parts store and ask them for a pressure switch for a mgtf/TD. It's right in the catalog. No. SL 144, stoplight switch, made by Echlin.
As I recollect, it only cost about $4.00.
I bought one last year.
colin stafford

Do the threads of the brake pipe nuts match the metric threads of the Echlin switch. I could buy five of these for the price on one Moss switch!
Geoff Kimler

This thread was discussed between 01/09/2000 and 21/09/2000

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.