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MG TD TF 1500 - Clock Is Working But Not Ticking

After finally reversing the wires on my ammeter that the PO never did when changing to negative ground/earth, the wire from the clock to ammeter came off the back of the clock. I placed wire back on the clock when I was done with the job, and now the clock works but does not tick. Even with my poor hearing I recall the clock ticking loudly. What would cause this silent running?
L Karpman

Hi Larry - "What would cause this silent running?"

Mostly the fact that the clock is small and doesn't make a very loud ticking. Put it into the tachometer housing and mount it on a fairly dampened, wood dash, not much ticking doesn't come through. 15 years ago, I could hear the clock in our TD if everything was quiet and I held my breath. Now, it may as well not be in the car as far as hearing it (plus the fact that I put a solid state conversion in it). Cheers - Dave
D.W. DuBois

Hi Dave. I put a stethoscope on it, and it IS ticking. Funny, even with my bad hearing I could distinctly hear it before. Oh well, more aging I guess :-)
L Karpman

Hi Dave

What is this solid state conversion of which you speak?

Chris
CE Valder

Guys

Mine has stopped too.

I have fettled a bit with old British carriage clocks and the movements seem similar to the MG clock, albeit the latter is driven electrically. (Useful videos on YouTube)

I think when time permits I will strip, clean and oil it. Ever hopeful.

The car is a pretty hostile environment for this type of mechanism, having to put up with heat cold, dust and probably moisture.

Cheers Chris
CE Valder

Guys

I have fettled a bit with old British carriage clocks and the movements seem similar to the MG clock, albeit the latter is driven electrically.

I think when time permits I will strip, clean and oil it. Ever hopeful.

The car is a pretty hostile environment for this type of mechanism, having to put up with heat cold, dust and probably moisture.

Cheers Chris
CE Valder

Chris - "What is this solid state conversion of which you speak?"

An outfit on your side of the pond has come up with basically a microprocessor to run the clock. Very easy to install and works beautifully. Here is a link to their website http://www.clocks4classics.com/
Cheers - Dave
D.W. DuBois

Highly recommended - I've used them myself. Not worth fixing the old mechanism because they were short lived even when new.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Another recommendation for clocks4classics. Their very detailed instructions include cleaning and oiling the mechanism. They also tell you how to check that the coil is working before you start the mod - you could do this before buying the mod kit.

And it still ticks!

If you have a TF you'll find it's better to take the whole speedo unit out while you do the mod. Otherwise it is exceedingly difficult to properly realign the gears.

David
D A Provan

my original 53 clock still works!
chuck
cj schmit

This thread was discussed between 30/04/2017 and 05/05/2017

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