MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Flasher problem - only 1 side working

Just bringing my 61 1600 Coupe out of winter hibernation and found today that indicator lights are only working on LHS. The jewel light also only flashes on LHS. I'm hoping it is an easily resolved issue and would welcome advice. I've looked in archives but not found anything similar. I'm planning on putting the car through an MOT in April so keen to get this sorted. Everything else seems to be working fine. Thanks. Tim
Tim Prime

First thing I'd do is swap the wires on the back of the indicator switch and see if the problem reverses, then you will know if one side of the switch has something wrong, maybe dirty contacts. Do you have the original vacuum type switch? not sure what was fitted on a 61 car. Depending on the outcome you can take it from there.
Best
Alan
AR Terry

ItS GOING TO BE THE FLASHER UNIT. try swapping the wires on it. EASIER THAN FIDDLING UNDER DASH WITH THE SWITCH WIRES.
aorry about the caps!
Art Pearse

Hi Tim.

Alan's suggestion is good. Sorry Art but it can't be flasher unit as power goes to flasher unit before switch so it has to be switch or wiring and Alan's suggestion would tell you which one.

If it is the switch a temporary fix that I ran with for years is to replace it with a cheap Halfords 'centre off' switch while investigating as you want to be sure before going for proper switch, although now available it costs around £100 so worth investigating first. Hopefully it dirty contacts but dismantle switch very carefully.

Looking at wiring diagram if neither front or back are working it is almost certainly the switch as wiring to back and front is separate all the way from the switch.

Did you get a chance last year to see difference anti rioll bar made?

Paul



Paul
Paul Dean

Thanks for the correction Paul. I was thinking there were 2 sets of contacts in the flasher, but no. Brain fog!
Art Pearse

One of the brass strips in the switch is likely broken. Easy to check. Two screws to undo, pull the unit apart.
Barry




Barry Gannon

Thanks folks. I'll do the proposed checks and let you know what I find.

Paul - the ARB was given a few good outings last summer and I'm very happy with the results. Seems to hold the road much better than before. Hopefully catch up before too long.


Regards. Tim
Tim Prime

Have done as Alan suggested and the problem doesn't reverse. Having swapped the wires over it was still the LHS indicators that are working okay (& the green panel jewel light flashes) but nothing on the RHS. Have put it back to as it was and same thing.

Wire connections to the switches all checked & all okay.

Opened up the back of the switch and the connectors seem to be making contact okay when the switch is turned either way. Have carefully cleaned inside and put back together again.

Any more thoughts please?

Tim
Tim Prime

Ok that would suggest the problem is at the light fittings themselves or somewhere in between. I suggest you take both of the wires from the back of the indicator switch that go to the RH indicators and twist them together, then attach a fixed positive feed (if your car is negative earth) If they light then the problem is with the switch or before the switch. If they don't then make an earth connection at the light units themselves (just hold a wire to the bumper and touch against one of the fixing screws that hold the light unit to the wing or to the body of the fitting) Still nothing ? check you have 12volts at the light fitting, take out the bulb and see if you have 12V with a meter or flash VERY BRIEFLY with the earth wire if you get a spark all good. If you have positive and negative feed then its the bulb or the bulb is not connected to Poss or Neg by a bad contact in the unit. Ill stop there see what you get to this point.
Best
Alan
AR Terry

Thanks Alan. I'll do some more investigatory work as you suggest, hopefully this week sometime. I've also ordered a basic on-off-on switch to see if it is the original vaccuum switch that is the issue. Tim
Tim Prime

Have you done something at the bundle of connectors by the starter switch. I sounds like the green wire with white tracer has come adrift at that snap connector. It's the only place that is right side only and front and rear would be affected.
Dominic Clancy

Dominic. Thanks. I've now eliminated the switch from being the problem as a basic centre off switch presents exactly the same issue. It must be a wiring issue somewhere between the switch and the right hand indicator lights. I'll double check that connector tomorrow. Tim
Tim Prime

All sorted. It was indeed a loose connection at the snap connectors near the starter. Thanks to all who responded with suggestions. As well as sorting out the problem I've discovered the innards of the mga indicator switch and its now working better than before, albeit not coming back to the off position on its own accord as it should. Ready now to organise the MOT to give me the peace of mind that all is roadworthy. Tim
Tim Prime

This thread was discussed between 24/03/2021 and 31/03/2021

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGA BBS now