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MG MGB Technical - Where to get this bulb?

What is it & where do I get replacements?

In the picture it's sitting near an AA battery to give a size reference.

Ok, it's the license plate light bulb on my 1970 split bumper MGBGT. I need another and I need a source for replacements. As some already know this is one of those unique bits on the early 1970 cars that don't seem to be in use anywhere else. I'll also post a picture of the little globe that fits over this bulb.

Rick Bastedo

Here's that picture of the globe.

Rick Bastedo

Rick,

This looks like the bulbs for our low-voltage yard lamps in our backyard. Mine are 4W-12V Intermatic Malibu ML4W4C. They do look bigger than yours, but maybe the same company that makes the one will also make the other. These are from a local True-Value hardware store.

Allen Bachelder

Rick, it looks a lot like the bulbs we use in some of the illuminated switches on some of our equipment. I did some checking and it looks like a Ozram-Sylvania type 194 lamp will work. It has the same voltage and current rating as the other lamps listed for MG tag illumination and the drawing of the lamp package looks like the photo you posted. Check with any local electronics shop or even try your local auto parts store. If you can't find it locally you can probably get some through Newark In One http://www.newark.com/ by mail order.
Bill Young

See this website:
http://bulbster.com/lightbulbs/168-p-1997.html

Seems that bulb no. 168 and 194 are the same.

Wayne
Wayne Pearson

Ah, the local auto parts place has sylvania bulbs - I'll go take a look at the 194 bulbs if they have them.

Thanks guys!!
Rick Bastedo

Looks like a fairly standard capless bulb, although I never knew Lucas were using them inthe '70s.

Autosparks sell them, here in the UK.

http://www.autosparks.co.uk/index.php?cPath=90&oscsid=f1r08sf03hs6jf64hqqt7vauf2

Also, Maplins - electronic supplies - sell them, but a hugely inflated price.
Dave O'Neill 2

Also described as a 'wedge' type, but the only time I have seen them in an MGB was in a *replacement* dash harness for a 1980 model when the original didn't even have them. Nevertheless, if that is what a PO fitted for whatever reason ... But I have noted in the past that Americans rarely give a wattage for MGB bulbs, just a reference number. The wattage isn't given on the site referenced above but the current is, which converts to 4.9W, which would be correct as they are usually 5W or 6W.
Paul Hunt 2

Well both sides are the same socket, taking what Paul seems to refer to as a "wedge" type bulb. The early 1970 license plate lights seem to be unique in the MG world.
More something I would expect to see in a marine application than a land vehicle.

I bought the Sylvania 168 bulbs and they fit and worked.
That is to say, one side worked and the other didn't although the bulb fits it doesn't light. Possibly a wiring problem I will have to trace.
Rick Bastedo

They can be a pain, short of replacing the socket I'd suspect. For the five years I had a Celica the one number plate light would periodically go out until I tapped it, despite new bulb and scraping and tweaking what I could see of the connections inside the socket.
Paul Hunt 2

It turns out my socket needs help.
It gets a good positive but no ground.
I put in a bit of copper wire that I put around the screw for a temporary fix, when things warm up and I wonder what to do next I'll remove the socket & repair it.
For now, I have two complete and working license plate lights!!!
WooHoo - now on to the next thing.
Rick Bastedo

The number plate lights on my 73 have to get a ground through the housing, the housing plinth, the overrider, the bumper, and the bumper irons before they get to the body! After restoring mine neither worked, so I ran a ground wire from each to a convenient bullet connector position for the relevant reverse light, which I think meant replacing the 2-way with a 4-way in each case.
Paul Hunt 2

This thread was discussed between 18/01/2008 and 22/01/2008

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