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MG TD TF 1500 - Wiring harness

I am a new member and new owner of a '53 TD in need of restoration. I am to the point that I need to remove the dash and old wiring. I plan on replacing with a new harness. Would I be wasting time labeling each wire as it comes off or would doing that be helpful when installing the new harness?
E. Butler

I did that when I dismantled my TF. Half the labels came off when I pulled the harness through the firewall and the colour coding on the old harness didn't match the new harness!

The first thing I did when I got my new harness was sit down with the wiring diagramme and label all ends of the cables. I found this a tedious job but it wasn't difficult and proved to be well worth the effort as it also help me find my way around the wiring diagramme. By the time I finished I knew where all the cables went just by looking at the colours.

You don't need to be an electrician to follow the colour coding on the wiring diagramme.

AJ
A R Jones

AJ's advice is sound as can be. If you don't have one yet, get yourself a copy of the Workshop Manual. Open it up to page N.23 and become very familiar with the wires and their color codes. If your present wiring is reasonably organized, without a lot of wiring outside of the harness, it might be worth while capturing some images of the routing. Take note of where your turn signal relay can is located. Good luck. Bud
Bud Krueger

I second AJ's comments. The old harness wasn't any use at all except as a source of terminals for additions etc.

I would add that dielectric grease in the bullet connectors is a good thing. It will help prevent corrosion which is how Lucas got it's bad name. The units are built to last and they have, it's the connections between them that are the most problem.
Cheers,
Bob
Bob Jeffers

The Lucas colour code scheme is also valid for the TD and there are excellent diagrams in true colour on the web as in B/W in the manuals.
Is seems to be wasted time to mark each wire as it is rather easy to do the wiring with a new loom.
Do some notes or pics how the old loom was installed and take out the old one as one piece without cutting. Save the flat clips at the front and the P clips that hold the wires to the chassis all the way to the rear of the car.
New flat clips and P clips are available and should be used (mesure the old ones before ordering the new spares), the bullet connectors should be installed with liberate use of petroleum jelly or dielectric grease.

Ralph
R.S. Ralph Siebenhaar

All above great advice. You may need to switch a couple of the old loop terminal ends as well if the new ones are not the right size.
George Butz

Check Bud's ttalk web site for wiring diagrams in color.

http://www.ttalk.info/TDWiringDiagrams.htm

Dave
Dave Runnings

grab a digital camera and capture as many shots as possible, of everything.
Jim Northrup

Mate

Cant pass comment on harnesses sold elsewhere however my Aussie harness was received with each wire labelled and a look up chart to correspond with the point of attachment including multiple connection points.

Made rewiring the TF a relatively simple chore.
G Evans

Thanks to all! I'm sure I'll be back often.
E. Butler

That is a great wiring diagram! I was able to shrink it to 50% and print it out on my color printer so I have it for future reference. I hope this is OK and not a copyright issue. I guess it's my turn to give out some info that others can use. I just made a walnut steering wheel for my 53 TD and will share the info with anyone. Thanks to Gblandco for posting all his info on the wheel!
Chuck


cj schmit

No copyright issue. Dave Runnings graciously provided the diagram for all to use. Bud
Bud Krueger

This thread was discussed between 28/11/2011 and 05/12/2011

MG TD TF 1500 index

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