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MG MG Y Type - Brake Light Switch

Just completed an 800 mile trip in the YT. It ran as it did in 1949 and could keep to the posted speed limits but all others drive at 20-40k above so was a bit of an impediment for them on some of the long hills without a passing lane. During the trip the brake light switch failed. Not new- have to replace it at least once or twice a year. On the TD BBS (archives) there are several threads on this problem and a solution.
Question is; Did the YA/T originally use a hydaulic pressure switch or a mechanical one per TC. If so is it the same switch as the TC and if not is it available from the likes of Paul Beck or the Complete Automobilist. Terry
Terry O'Brien

Terry

Congrats on the trip. The YA/T (and B I believe) all used the same switch - basically a blade switch at the bcak of the master cylinder. Very simple and effective. However there is a modern replacement switch kit available from Regalia which is an in-line deal and works from hydraulic pressure. Sounds like you have neither but might like to check out the one offered by the Register. - See the photo from the Regalia page on www.mgytypes.org

Hope this is helpful

Paul
Paul Barrow

Terry - If the replacement brake light switchs for the Y types are at all like the ones for the other MG models, they are just cheap junk and burn out very quickly (I had one for the MGB last all of two weeks!). I put together a relay and arc suppression circuit to ad between the switch and the brake lights that eliminates the problem. You can see the drawing and instructions for making up this circuit for yourself at the following link:
http://www.omgtr.ca/technical/brakelightrelay/brakelightrelay.htm
If you are not comfortable with constructing things electrical, I can make the circuit up for you. Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

Terry

Well done on the run.

To clarify the position the YA/YB & YT all used the same switch as confirmed by Paul. However, it should be noted that the brake pipes on the YA/YT were ‘1/4’ inch, whereas the brakepipe on the YB was ‘3/16’ inch. The YB shared the same chassis and brakes as the TD. ‘3/16’ became the standard and it has therefore always been possible to fit one of the standard hydraulic switches on a YB from most 1950s cars.

Although the design of the Y Type brakelight switch is extremely simple, the circuit is made live by depressing the brake pedal, that has a piece of wire connecting it to arm on the brakelight switch. The action of depressing the pedal moves the arm and completes the circuit. This is of course providing the brass connectors are clean and there are no other problems. Locating the brakelight switch inside the pedalbox housing must have been thought up by the same team that designed the ‘Mini bypass hose’. In theory easy to change, but an incredibly frustrating exercise.

When I restored my YA I was unhappy to depend on 1930’s technology to operate the brakelights and sought a hydraulic solution. I contacted a well-respected supplier of brake parts located in the Netherlands who came up with a solution. This being to replace the union on the back of a YA/YT master cylinder with a dual union. The original brake pipe connects to one union and a hydraulic switch can be fitted to the other. An incredibly simple solution that greatly improves safety.

As for reliability it has been on the YA for years and the most recent one I fitted to my YT has been working well since it was rebuilt in 1998. The Y Register has been supplying these switches for many years and to my knowledge all those supplied are working well. They are relatively expensive as they are quality parts from a reputable Dutch supplier and therefore not to be confused with the mass produced items supplied for later MGs.

Regards.
David Pelham

David - Do you know the name of the supplier in the Netherlands where these switched can be obtained? A source of really reliable switches would make a whole bunch of T series, MGA and MGB owners very happy. Thank you - Dave
David DuBois

David

If you go to the links section of the MG Y Register website www.mgytypes.org there is a link to C&C Spares in the Netherlands. They are listed under the suppliers of Brakes, Friction Parts etc.

I have had a look and the T Type switch is listed as an available part.

Regards.

David.
David Pelham

Thanks for all the advice. The Y register brake switch is expensive but when you take into account that you are changing "junk" switches two or three times a year it amortizes itself over a couple of years. I have no idea when the original switch in my car was trashed, all I know is that until about three years ago I never had a problem, since it has been never ending. Switches I suspect come from Moss.
Lawrence doesn't dwell on switches but does say that LHD brake systems differ slightly from RHD. David, do you know if the Y register switch works on LHD? By the way the link to C&C parts on the Y web site does not work for me; others do.May need to contact Wiel? as I have some problems with the Jackall pump he rebuilt for me. That will be the subject of another thread, Terry
Terry O'Brien

Terry

The hydraulic brake switch uses a dual union connected to the rear of the Master Cylinder Therefore it doesn't matter whether the car is LHD or RHD.

My link to C&C works OK, it may be your browser setting. I will ask Paul to have a look at it.

Regards.

David.
David Pelham

No problems with the link as far as I can tell. Anyone else got any problems, please email me direct and tell me what messages you get back to help me try to diagnose your cause.

Paul
Webmaster@mgytypes.org
Paul Barrow

Nothing we can do about it I am afraid. CCParts website is written in a fairly low level html (hypertext markup language)and so doesnt respond well in IE.

Sorry folks - if it doesnt work, try their Contact Us link on info@ccparts.nl instead.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Sorry I have come in late on this topic but I needed the chance to get under my car to take a picture which I have sent to Paul to place where suitable. There is available a four way union (same as TD) that bolts to the Y chassis in the original location with the extra hole on top for a hydraulic switch. The switch in my car has been in place since '92 and 68,000 miles.
Cheers Richo YT3208
Richard Prior

My YT has the same 4 way that Richard refers to. It was on the car when I bought it in 1961. Have had to change the hydraulic switch a couple of times since then, but it has worked well.

FWIW

Larry
49 YT
Larry Hallanger


Hi Richard and Larry

Does the four-way-union take the 1/4 inch brake Pipies of the YA/YT or the thinner 3/16 brakepape of the YB/TD?
And also, where could one get one from? I, myself have already fitted the CC-version, but I aske for other interested members.

Best regards
Anton
YT 3214
Anton Piller

Not sure if this is applicable, but the "Mike Goodman" conversion was done to my TC before I bought it. If I understand it correctly, the end of the master cylinder was drilled and tapped to take a modern hydraulic switch directly. Works like a champ and many TC owners have done this modification.
Steve Simmons

Anton

Not sure about either of your questions. The conversion was done on my car by a PO, sometime before 1962. If you don't get an answer contact me off line and I will attempt to at least measure the line diameter and compare the fitting to what I have in the parts bins.

Larry
Larry Hallanger

Terry,

Is it this thread you refer to?

Richard
R E Knight

This thread was discussed between 13/07/2005 and 07/02/2013

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