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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Front marker lights 1275

We started fault finding the electrics last night. A slow and painful process!

The front sidelights were not working at all, and investigation showed one (brand new) unit had no connection between the wire and the light socket. Just as eel there was an extra one on the boxes we bought. Then I discovered that the bulbs were also so loose on the fitting, that it was more luck than judgement that anything worked at all. I tried an odd bulb I had in a box, and it fitted and worked perfectly compared to the cr*p supplied with the fittings. Only trouble is I can't read the bulb type from any of the bulbs.

So what is the correct bulb for the front marker lights on a 1275?

Dominic Clancy

front side lights are 5w, now normally GLB989 but I think I found it easier to use GLB207 because the glass is smaller and slimmer for fitting to the poor quality modern front sidelight units

as you've found the quality of the bulbs is p*ss poor so look for NOS from many years ago (at least 10+ years) or buy the 'Heavy Duty' or 'Long Life' examples of modern made bulbs and hope they are better quality

GLB989 - http://www.leacyclassics.com/glb989.html

GLB207 - http://www.leacyclassics.com/glb207.html
Nigel Atkins

This chap has some interesting alternatives for bulbs as well as a good selection of standard ones. Reasonably priced as well.


http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com
john payne

I use leac ya lot because of the free shipping, so thanks for the part number
Dominic Clancy

Hi guys,


I think you'll find that the 989 and 207 are different bases and not interchangeable.



The 989 has a bulbous head, but the 233 is te same base with a smaller glass.



Hope that helps.


Regards Steve
SR Smith 1

Dominic

Useful websites for bulbs identification and purchase:

http://www.holden.co.uk/displayAgroups.asp?sg=1&pgCode=012&sgName=Electrical&pgName=Bulbs+%26+Warning+Lamps

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/lighting/bulbs.php

http://www.ahspares.co.uk/sprite/Lighting/default.aspx

Start with the wattage of the bulb (given in workshop and parts manuals and driver's handbook) and then screw or bayonet fitting type, glass bulb shape and diameter of base.

If I remember correctly it is a GLB 380 (a Lucas and/or Unipart number? not BMC/BLMC/BL/MG or AH) often just known in the UK as a 380.

Cheers
Mike

PS download the parts and workshop manuals for your car from:

http://www.spridgetguru.com/TchIndx17.html


http://www.spridgetguru.com/TchIndx18.html





M Wood

Dominic

Ignore my 380 bulb guess!

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

Domonic,
many apologies for telling you wrong about GLB207, I did put think because I wasn't sure but I'd discounted GLB233 as it's 4w not 5w but that's probably what I put in mine

the blown bulbous head GLB989 bulb on mine was a right devil to get out and the glass broke in my fingers as I tried to take it out so I wasn't risking that again, as daft though it may sound, my wife got a tiny sliver of glass in her fingertip and she had to be prepared to possibly be in hospital for a full operation to remove it and remain in overnight, luckily it didn't come to that but these stupid accidents can have very out of proportion consequences

Steve,
once again thanks for making a correction for me, I must go and label my bulbs correctly

do you think 4w sidelight bulbs would be legal here, nothing ever been noticed at MoTs
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 08/05/2014 and 14/05/2014

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