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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Hazard, Headlamp Flasher Unit Confusion

Hey there,

Getting towards the end of the full restoration now (and pigs might fly) and I have come to put all the lights in ad test them...

However when I striped everything down I had 3 relay/flasher units... Now I can only seem to find a place for two of them...

My full hazards work fine with a nice new relay but my indicators are coming on solidly rather than flashing...

I have 2 new flasher units one is for 4 lamps the other is for 2... I can't seem to find the place for the 2 lamp flasher unit...

My guess about the other unit is that it is for the headlights and they are working fine...

Any clues as to where this magical third unit may go?

If it helps, I have 2 rectangular ones and one round one. I think the round one is for the headlamps and the rectangular ones are for the hazards/indicators...

Thanks in advance

Simon
S J Dodd

Hi Simon, Definitely 4 way flasher unit works separate to indicators. Indicator unit must be wired correctly. (make sure you have the correct wiring diagram as there are several for 1500s in Haynes and there is one specifically for 1978 which is definitely in the back of the 1978 model drivers handbook).

This was an issue on my car when I got it. All that needed doing in the end was connections cleaning up and wiring as per the diagram. (Haynes is difficult to match the diagram and the legend as they are on completely different and awkward pages).
Dave Squire (1500)

Ahh right, cool thanks for that one.

Still doesn't quite solve the three different units though... The previous owner had labelled up the wiring diagram for the 1977 models and I have been following that one!

Just flicked to the 1978 model diagram and it isn't too different but there is still no mention of the third unit... More investigation required I think :)

I'll get there though :) Ordered my new brake pads and shoes and wheel cylinders today as well so things are definitely progressing! :)
S J Dodd

Simon, are you sure that one of your "flasher units" isn't the voltage stabiliser unit?
Guy W

horn relay?

only thought of that as my mate and I were talking about the different wiring of the horns and he was surprised that my car didn't have a horn relay, his classic is from the more expensive and better built end of cars back in der day
Nigel Atkins

As Nigel would say, "a photo always helps".

Difficult to advise without knowing which 'units' you are talking about, but there should be one flasher unit for the hazards and a separate one for the direction indicators.

There isn't a third one, unless, as Guy says, you are referring to the voltage stabiliser.

Originally, the flasher units for both indicators and hazards would have been rectangular. Early 3-pin flasher units were round, but you shouldn't have one of those on a 1500.
Dave O'Neill2

could of course be a PO added item








perhaps for the horns :D

as Dave's put a photo might help especially if it's of the relays as they were fitted before you broke the car down or if not a photo showing all three with the wiring diagram showing on each if they have them as some know what all those numbers and connections mean and will understand what they'd be used for
Nigel Atkins

Sorry, been away for a few days. I'll get a photo of them added for you today... The horn relay sounds like a good option though. Just got to find where it plugs in :)
S J Dodd

On my 79 needed to replace a "552" flasher unit mounted inside top of the glovebox. About an inch in diameter and an inch deep with 2 connects to a green and a green with brown stripe. There is a metal spring bracket to hold it in place up there. Also comments here on corrosion in the 4 way switch that feeds the turns was helpful as it was a problem for my Midget that just came out of 5 years storage.
Good Luck
Bob
Bob Ketcham

Simon,
don't forget to flip the photo if required :)
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 22/08/2013 and 28/08/2013

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