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MG MGB Technical - Ignition Switch - 'Radio' Position

Following a question on the MGA board, I looked at Paul Hunt's website for information on the early dash-mounted ignition switch.

It would appear, from the information that Paul has, that there are only three positions for the switch - off, on and start.

My switch has a fourth position. If I turn the key anti-clockwise from the 'off' position, I get power to the radio.

I've looked at wiring diagrams in the Haynes manual and also checked the driver's handbook, but can find no reference to this feature. Is this non-standard, or does any one else have this feature?

I'm assuming that the ignition switch is standard, as the key matches the door locks and Heritage certificate.
Dave O'Neill 2

My 1969 MGB has the same switch. Turn anti-clockwise to get the auxillary position. Mine is a replacement switch fitted when I rebuilt the car.
Mike Howlett

Dave, I Have a 1968 mk11 very early build like 12th built in Australia and has the same ignition as you.
Regards Ken
K Stuckey

Thanks guys.
Dave O'Neill 2

Dave,

Hope this helps - from a 1972 Owners Handbook

Sorry I didn't want to do a 'Nigel' !!!

Off topic I need to check what 12volt battery you are using in your 'B' as I have to convert my Cousins to single battery.

R.

richard boobier

fantastic two people referring to the 'good book' (the relevant Driver's Handbook) :)

Richard,
Dave has previously referred to a 202 battery for single conversion, below are links, my wife recently ordered a (Varta) battery for her car from Tanya, very easy to order, very quick delivery but the battery wasn't fully charged when we got it so don't assume (never assume, as my wife often reminds me) because a battery is new that it's fully charged

in the links the reviews are from B owners and other cheaper batteries listed -

42ah / 420A CCA -
http://www.tayna.co.uk/Type-202002L-Varta-Blue-Dynamic-Car-Battery-Short-Code-B36-Varta-DIN-544-401-420-P9038.html

42ah / 390A -
http://www.tayna.co.uk/Type-202-Varta-Blue-Dynamic-Car-Battery-P2810.html


Nigel Atkins

What (to the nearest few hundred or so) is your car number, Dave?

The diagrams (and my pages) do show the MGB as having an 'aux' position from car number 158371 in September 68 i.e. start of the 69 model year for the UK, but not until car number 187170 in September 69 for North American spec i.e. start of the 1970 model year. So a 1972 drivers handbook would indeed include a reference to it, and a 1969 UK car would have it. It's possible an Australian model did get it earlier as they had a number of differences, and the earliest aux wiring on UK cars was optional to the cigar lighter so the main harness wouldn't necessarily have changed. Other markets may well have had a different arrangement when there was a combined steering lock and ignition switch, which could be as early as 1962, not on all cars until December 1970. The dash mounted switch would have been used until then.
Paul Hunt

Richard

I believe that the 202 or 002 is the Bosch designation.

Varta call the same battery a B35, although it has now been superseded by the B36.

The footprint is the same as a 6v battery, but it is a little shorter, so the J-bolts need shortening.

I fitted a B35 in my brother's B and have recently bought a B36 for my own. That's how confident I am that it will soon be back on the road!

Advanced Batteries sell it for £46 including delivery

http://advancedbatterysupplies.co.uk/carbatteryvartablueb35.html

I got mine from Battery Megastore on Ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251500143825
Dave O'Neill 2

Paul

My car is a March '67 and the number is in the range 115400 - 115500
Dave O'Neill 2

Dave,
I've no longer got the notes on car batteries and the different tests for cold cranking etc. and the battery codes for sizes but I do remember the three number code is used for UK, such as Halfords and other battery suppliers, e.g. 202, 002, 063
Nigel Atkins

You are correct, Nigel.

I think that most suppliers use the 3-digit code. For some reason, Varta seem to use their own, although some retailers do cross-reference.

It would be nice if the codes were standardised world-wide. The US use a different numbering system.

The 063 battery used to be a popular conversion, although they don't fit that well. In the US it is known as a 026.
Dave O'Neill 2

Dave - earlier than any of the information indicates, then. Do you know what the wiring is like on the back? If that wire is not part of the harness perhaps someone fitted an alternative switch to run the radio that way. Unless the key number matches a Heritage certificate ... unless they swapped the barrels as well ...

The switch changed with the Mk2 in late 67, and as that switch ran until steering locks were fitted which was after the diagrams show the aux position, that switch does have the aux position, so has probably been fitted by a PO.
Paul Hunt

Paul

I haven't been able to check the wiring yet, as the car is still upside down.

I'm hoping to have it back on the ground in the next couple of weeks.
Dave O'Neill 2

This thread was discussed between 08/01/2015 and 11/01/2015

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