MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - TD TF Turn Switch

G'day,

the original Lucas turn switch in the TF lost its delayed action indicating (no pun meant) the suction chamber wasn't air tight. Upon disassembly I can see the switch is complete with no damage or wear. I want to re-lubricate the "plunger" (arrowed), and am seeking advise on what lubricant would best suit this application?

Cheers
Kev Simonsen
TF6288


K Simonsen

I have successfully used olive oil.

Tom
'54 TF
T Norby

I thought that only worked on Italian Cars :-)
L E D LaVerne

I would use silicone spray. If the leather is worn you can always place a ring of heat shrink tube or PVC insulating tape on the piston under the leather to increase the compression. Easily tested on the bench.
I removed the spring on mine altogether as I found the switch does not meet modern traffic light timing and I just cancel the indicator manually.
Regards
Declan
Declan Burns

I use Vasoline. Bud
Bud Krueger

As Declan, even though my switch works as intended, I also removed the spring and work it manually. The timing on it is never right for the lights around here, either too long or too short. PJ
PJ Jennings

Agreed - silicone spray or grease.
Dave H
Dave Hill

This might be informative. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJCUeyGVL5c

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

You have complete control over your switch.
Set the "on" time for whatever you want as max then turn it to suit the need. It does not have to go all the way over and you can move it to the "off" at any time without damage.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

I rebuilt a functioning switch for my TF (thanks again Dave) from donated parts. I intend to use it as originally installed, preferring to sometimes have to reset it while sitting at lights rather than relying on my memory to cancel without feedback from an audible click or a light that can still be seen in bright sunshine with the top down.
The fact that there is only one set of lights within an hour's drive from home might also have a bearing on this decision!
Chris
C I Twidle

My switch is located where I think was the OEM location for its age. It's at the lower edge of the center of fascia, behind the dash with the handle protruding toward the gearshift. Virtually any time that I have the switch actuated, and I'm at a stop, I'm ready to shift into first gear and get started. If the first 20 seconds runs out it's a simple motion to flip my finger onto the switch lever and start another 20 seconds. Been doing it that way for years. BTW, I also have a solid state buzzer across the turn signal lamp to remind me. Bud
Bud Krueger

Yes, I also fitted a buzzer across the turn signal lamp, which I find very useful. Easy to do with a very cheap buzzer from eBay - just needed wrapping to quieten down a bit.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Any fine oil will work. A car club friend with a TD had this issue. The leather seal was dry and stiff. A light rubbing with leather conditioner made it supple again and the unit is working.

BobbyG
Bobby Galvez

Apart from the leather part of the indicator switch, attention also needs to be given to the felt 'plug' and screw adjustment situated at the rear of the
bakelite switch body. Soak the felt in oil and place it back in the hole of the body. To set the timing of the switch lever,simply test by moving the screw in to certain positions. You can achieve a 40 second delay or more if so desired. This area of the switch was designed by Lucas to enable switch off time differences.

I have examined quite a few Lucas self cancelling switches which often have the felt at least missing !

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

Thanks for the advise, guidance and humour fellas. I'll look at what is available on my shelves and see what results I get.

Using indicators is almost a thing of the past around my way! I guess it isn't part of the "driver assist" options all new vehicles come with now!

Have our Geelong club Show 'n Shine this coming weekend so best get switch together.
Cheers
Kev S
TF6288
K Simonsen

Dave, I too fitted a buzzer but I have LED turn signal lights. When the switch cancelled the buzzer slowly dies a mournful death ending several seconds after the switch had cancelled. Never did solve that problem.

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

I used silicone vacuum grease someone on the site recommended. It works really well and the switch now stays on around 30 seconds.

rich40701

I also had a buzzer but found it acoustically very annoying. I replaced it with an el cheapo 12V automotive relay, only the coil of which, is connected between the P terminal on the flasher can and ground. It is not polarity sensitive. It gives a pleasant click-clack sound like a modern car. The relay is mounted under the dash and not visible. It only takes a few minutes to connect it up and costs pennies.

Regards
Declan
Declan Burns

This thread was discussed between 03/03/2018 and 04/03/2018

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG TD TF 1500 BBS now