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MG MGA - Lucas Turn Indicator

I would be interested in member’s experience of the sealing washer kit sold by the MGA Register shop here in the UK. Of particular interest would be did it work and the date you bought it.
Many thanks
John.
J Hughes

John
The MGCC replacement washer has probably not been available for long enough to get any feedback either way.
You could try resuscitating your old washer or making a new one as described in MGAGuru’s TS-101 and TS-101A.
Good luck
Dave
Bolney Coupe

Many thanks Dave. I did buy one from their new stock a few weeks ago but found the sealing washer was under size compared to the original. The reason for my post was to determine if it was either an issue with this new stock or I had a problem with my switch in general.
Regards
John.
J Hughes

On the side of the body / cylinder of my indicator switch there’s a small hole drilled about a third of the way up from the floor of the cylinder. As I’ve not found any reference to this hole on Barney’s site or anywhere else, can anyone confirm this is original / their switch has one and the reason for it – if there is one.
Many thanks
John.
J Hughes

Hi John
I remember seeing a minute hole as you say in the side of my original switch when I serviced it. I managed to soak the leather washer with saddle oil until it eventually sealed as necessary. Maybe the hole allows the air to expel when you activate the switch. Just guessing .Hope someone will come forward with a definitive answer.
Good luck Brian
Brian Paddon

Brian, I have also renewed the leather washers by soaking them in a light oil.
And I have a dim memory of a tiny hole to allow air to seep in and cancel the signal.
Barry.
Barry Gannon

Just soak the old one in olive oil and it will come back to life
Dominic Clancy

John

I have a switch body dated 7 68. There is no hole in the wall of the cylinder. It has Lucar terminals and is marked TPS1 and 31904D.

I can’t imagine which car was using this type of switch as late as 1968.

Cheers
Dave
Bolney Coupe

I have seen holes on several switches. However, if the hole is meant to allow air to escape when the switch is activated, it would equally allow air in thus negating the vacuum keeping the switch on. Air is meant to enter and escape at the hole at the back of the switch. I've never figured out why some switches seem to have a hole at the side and some don't. Perhaps this was an attempt by a previous owner to simply make the switch a momentary contact variety.
Lew Palmer

The air exits the chamber past the leather seal as the switch is loaded, and enters via the rear hole as the timer expires. The seal is a one-way valve.
Art Pearse

I have restored two of these switches, one for my Coupe and another for a friend’s TF and they both have the holes in the side of the vacuum chamber. I have two more that I am restoring and they both have these holes.

Here’s my theory. I think the hole on the side allows the switch to be turned to the on position more easily. When you turn the switch to the on position, the leather washer travels past the side hole. A reasonably snug fit is required between the leather washer and the side wall of the cylinder in order to create the vacuum. The adjustable screw on the back of the switch with the wad of cotton is what let’s air in so it gradually releases the vacuum and turns the switch off.

I think all of these switches have the hole. One of the two that I’m working on now had the hole blocked with grease and I thought at first that there was no hole. If you look closely, the hole is on the side wall right below the “L” that’s on the back of the switch.

Jim


JL Cheatham

I just posted this on MG Experience if anyone is interested.

https://www.mgexp.com/forum/buy-sell-and-trade-forum.42/turn-signal-switch-restored.3997294/

Jim
JL Cheatham

Many thanks for all the reply’s and to Jims detailed explanation.
After a false start with the replacement washer kit I’m pleased to say my switch is now doing fine on the original washer.
A word of advice. Don’t remove the leather washer unless you have a suitable fixing with a slim head. A normal size bolt head limits piston travel and thus reduces the indicating time.
J Hughes

This thread was discussed between 03/08/2019 and 23/08/2019

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