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MG TD TF 1500 - Main beam indicator

Is there supposed to be a colored lens in the TD speedometer main beam indicator light? If so what color and are they available anywhere? Thanks.

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

My 53 TD has a Red lens which is very small but is bright when lit. Enough to draw your attention when needed.
If you can't find the lens - just make one. A piece cut from an Rx drug bottle would do. or paint the bulb with thinned nail polish.

Rod

Rod Jones

Tim, I know there was a thread about this a few years ago, so suggest searching the archive. I don't remember exactly what was in it. George
George Butz III

George I did and always do. But involved TFs. Didn't see anything about TDs.

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

Rod, thank you.

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

I'm 99% sure there was something in there some time ago (or someplace else) but I can't find it either. It was a bit eerie to see so many posts from those no longer with us...George
George Butz III

George, I also saw names in my search that I have learned are deceased. You are right, it is eerie and sad. I guess we'll be in that category someday. But not yet. My dad said to live your life so that the check to the funeral home bounces. :-)

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

Tim,

I cut the top of a red led, not original, but I like the dome effect.

John
J Scragg

The WSM, TF section, says the main beam indicator light was red (thanks David Hill). Unfortunately the TD section lists the indicator light but doesn't specify what color. I would imagine the TD color was carried over to the TF which means the TD indicator lamp was red. However, after thinking about it, I'm going with blue. Anyone driving the car today would understand what the blue light meant but might be concerned if a red light appeared on the speedometer face. Thanks everyone for the input.

Tim
TD12524
TD26711
Timothy Burchfield

I remember a conversation with Mike O'connor during a visit to his shop. He called the red light cover a "jewel" I wondered why, and thought that maybe the original was not flat nor domed but had facets. It would be nice to see an original.

John

J Scragg

John, agreed. Maybe Chris Couper has some information on the indicator light.

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

They are often called "jewels" despite only being a tiny moulded tinted clear plastics item. I don't think whether they have facets or not enters into it, though those on some vehicles do. They just shine like jewels when illuminated.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Here's a photo of my original.
Regards
Declan

Declan Burns

Drat! I went up to take a picture of mine ('53). I'm pretty sure that it's original - I have no evidence that the PO replaced or serviced the speedo although the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Anyway, I'm pretty sure that the indicator worked the last time I used the headlights so I figured I'd take a pic with main beams on to show the color. Wouldn't you know it, it picked this time to be not working (something else to work on this spring). The low and main beams work fine but the indicator does not come on. My speedo looks just like Declan's but here's a pic anyway.

Jud


J. K. Chapin

Interesting call Tim,
I saw others said theirs were blue. As far as I know, mine is the original and was not fiddles with by me or the chap I bought it from. That accounts for 50 years
But as always there were 3 other owners before that.
Just have a lot of trouble thinking why someone would change this lens from blue to red (now more faded to orange).
I can't say I have noticed it On in the past 45 odd years as I don't drive my car that much after dark and have the main beams on. Even driving the autobahns in Europe, they are all seemed to be very well lit. The only time I have used my main beams down here in Florida at night is to advise someone else their lights are on high.
This is about as close as I can get to it - without taking the thing apart

Rod


Rod Jones

Here is my 52.
Shipped first week in 52.
I lit it up so you can see the red.
AFAIK it's original.

Jim B.

JA Benjamin

This thread was discussed between 13/02/2019 and 15/02/2019

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