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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - 1500 brake switch

Mines failed after 3000 miles. It was a cheap £5 one so probably serves me right for being a cheapskate. I have taken it apart and I reckon I can fix it but it’s rubbish quality. Maybe it’s worth just buying something better?

Has anyone used one of these?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MG-Midget-1-5-Genuine-Intermotor-Brake-Light-Swich-OE-Quality-Replacement/301891703097?fits=Car+Make%3AMG%7CModel%3AMidget&hash=item464a25d139:g:r1EAAOSwawpXrBmA

It’s shape would make it easier to fit/ remove without having to losen the pedal box for clearance.
C MADGE

Chris,
they also have a reversing light switch, see -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301891625023

The price on the brake switch seems high perhaps it's rarity value, but genuine Intermotor parts were (generally?) very good.
Nigel Atkins

I found an old post in the archives from Paul Walbran (sp?) who said they were a bit more reliable.

Braking is a fairly important function, you would think people would be reluctant to sell brake switches that are not fit for purpose ?

C MADGE

“you would think people would be reluctant to sell brake switches that are not fit for purpose ?”

In an ideal world, yes. However, it seems that a lot of sellers don’t really care about the quality of the parts they sell.
Dave O'Neill 2

Well its not as if its a safety critical item like brakes for example. Oh wait....
C MADGE

I got so fed up of poor quality brake switches that I converted to a Mini one mounted on the pedal box assembly. It relies on the mechanical action of the brake pedal rather than hydraulic pressure.
It's like this and still works after 6 or 7 years, inexpensive but simple and reliable (bet that's put the mockers on it).

https://tinyurl.com/yyr886ep

Jeremy MkIII

Really Chris, you're still surprised with piss-poor parts quality.

I must admit I thought the one you linked to might be a reserving light switch and had to zoom in on the photo to see the difference in thread.

In the photo at least that Intermotor switch looks like it might be better made that the majority of the photos of other offerings.

Those plastic ones are the type that often self explode, perhaps they've improved or a different fixing position might help but I wouldn't trust it based on my previous experience.

I've found the last hydraulic brake switch I fitted to be good and long lasting (so far, famous last words) so perhaps they improved (or I was lucky or there was a batch of good ones, who knows).
Nigel Atkins

I looked through the archives for the VW part number to buy a better quality item. On ebay there were many sellers so I chose one of them. Not the cheapest, not the dearest but it was claimed to be from Bosch. I paid £15 quid for it. Job done? Nope.

I fitted it for Alan Ansteads DAKS tour in June 2019. It was working in the UK but by the time I was in France it had ceased to function. I'm really ticked off about it.

Rob
MG Moneypit

Rob

What is the thread on the VW switch?
Dave O'Neill 2

All this info is from our technical guru in the NW area.

It is Metric, M10x1.0 taper which equates to 25.4 tpi. You should use an adaptor as the 5 way connector has 3/8 UNF parallel at 24 tpi. But it will screw in and the threads are close enough to engage with quite a few turns. The taper will stop the engagement before the difference in TPI.


But I'll say again you should use an adaptor as screwing a taper into a parallel risks splitting the brass if you go too far. I cheated and used some PTFE tape (also frowned upon by many) and screwed it in as much as I
dared but I was desperate being the day before the ferry. I had no problems with it sealing but as I said before you risk splitting the brass.

I'm not sure why the switch failed (apart from it being crap) but on the way to the ferry I had cause to do an emergency stop and I think that may have been its demise.

Rob
MG Moneypit

I'm not surprised by poor parts quality, just frustrated.

I have ordered the Intermotor switch and will try that and report back.
C MADGE

Chris, you'd only had one year of it, the real joy is the continuation, or the variation where some parts improve while other deteriorate, great guessing game. Best to get the trailer out for shows and keep the car static as much as possible.
Nigel Atkins

Rob,

I have a VW Type 2 and the parts from the usual VW suppliers are similar quality to the MG ones.
You can still buy a genuine VW brake switch from VW dealers which is what I ended doing and it's still working after 2 years.
It wasn't cheap about £25 but after experiencing the failing aftermarket MG ones I wasn't prepared to risk it with the VW.

Or you could try one of these made by ATE in Germany who are probably the OEM suppliers. CoolAir are one of the better usual suspects!

http://tinyurl.com/y678k376


Jeremy MkIII

This thread was discussed between 25/06/2019 and 27/06/2019

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