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MG MGA - Touchy directional relay contact

My car has the 1500 style relay box, with what appears to be the original Lucas relay. I had a situation where the left side directional stopped working, and traced it down to the relay contacts. If I touch it 'just right', the directional starts working again...I cleaned the contact point...no help. I spent about an hour adjusting (bending) the two sets of breaker point so that finally they both made contact in unison, so it works again. VERY finicky adjustment...but both sides are working for now....how long? Who knows...

My question...Is the fragility of the adjustment a symptom of worn out breaker points in the relay? Is there a decent source of the breaker point style relays? Should I just swallow hard and fork over the big bucks for a solid state style relay?

What is your experience with this?

Anybody gut their breaker point box, and pop in their own 'home brew' circuit board with solid state components?

Thanks, in advance...

Rick

rpb bunch

I had the same problem years ago, fiddled with it on and off for a couple of years, but could never keep it working for long. Finally decided it must be a weak solenoid not giving enough contact force. When I ultimately gave up on it I did the most reliable $10 fix, and never had any problem thereafter. See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/electric/ts202.htm
Barney Gaylord

I just made the same fix on my 1500 coupe it works great $10.00 spent not $160.
Cliff
Jones

Ahh...Perfect, Barney! I'm a fan of the MGAGuru site, but somehow missed this jewel. Thanks! Sounds like a weekend project coming up at the Bunch household. Just what I was looking for...

Rick
rpb bunch

Barney,
My TF and my Austin Healey 3000 also use this relay. Is it safe to assume that this modification will work with these cars? Thanks and have a good day!

John
John Progess

Yes it is the same relay, and yes the mod is a valid substitute for the real McCoy.
Barney Gaylord

This thread was discussed between 13/07/2009 and 18/07/2009

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