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MG MGF Technical - Weird locking mechanism (one for the BBS masters)

Hey All,

Once agin - to all that have helped me out in the past and saved me $$$ in repairs - many thanks.

Ok, here's an interesting one. A few weeks ago I was having a problem with my locking on my 99 MGF. Baiscally it would lock but would no engauge the second system, plus the rear lights would not flash to indicate a lock.

Well, I finally worked out it was a problem with the boot lock. The lock is engaging fine, but will not allow the alarm to be set. If I open the boot and engage the lock manually, the alarm will activate as normal. If I unlock the boot and still leave it open, the alarm will activate.

As soon as I close the boot, the alam does not activate properly. What's the story ?

Now, the second half of the problem. Since this probalem has started, my car locking system now actus up. When I press lock, all the bottons go down but there is a second or so where I can still here the mechanism trying the lock. The same happens when i try to unlock. It's like something is not regestering.

It happens both ways (lock/unlock) with both situations above when the boot is opened or closed.

So, can anyone help me out ?

Thanks

Sonny
S Foster

at the boot hinge there is trunking for the boot wiring loom, remove the trunking and inspect the wires, if not obviously broken then fold over your thumb and run it down the wire (this will show up internally broken wires). snip then ends off and wire in a bridge.

This _is_ your problem, when the boot is open the wire end just happen to touch and everything is fine.
Will Munns

Hi Will,

Thanks for the reply. I had a quick look at the wires and couldn't see any obvious breaks.

Are you talking about the wires which go between the locking mechanism the key mechanism ? The black and the red wires right ?

Is this likely to be the problem for my boot light as well ?

Thanks

Sonny
S Foster

Nope, the wires at the boot hinge/engine bay (they're the same wires, but further away ;-)

And yes, the boot light is the same wire as is used for the alarm sensor, it's not the key wires that are giving you the problem (although these may also be broken)
Will Munns

Yeah, went and had another look at the car and saw what you mean. Only problem is, you must need hands the size of a baby to get in ther. Any hints for easy access ?

I managed to get a few fingers in and move the cables around. Got everything working again so your suggestion was right on the money ?

So, what's the access hint ?

Cheers

Sonny
Sonny Foster

I guess, cut all the cable ties, take off the engine cover and close the boot, then pull into engine bay and work from there. This is a guess though as this problem hadn't shown itself before last weekend, and I havn't got round to fixing it yet myself.
Will Munns

I have just had to do this as about 6 out of the 8 cables had been cut by an over zealous use of the cable tie tightening tool at MG Rover. It is awkward but I managed to cut and crimp connectors onto either end of the break by just removing the grille under the boot lid and disconnecting all the cables from the boot lid and pulling them back towards the hinge.
It is a fiddle and sore on the back leaning over the boot for an hour or so but worth it when High level brake light, courtesy light and alarm system all start to work.

hope this helps

Robert
R Allan

This thread was discussed on 13/04/2005

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