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MG TD TF 1500 - TF Low fuel light

Everything is working with the fuel light, BUT

looking behind the dashboard the light is illuminated when the fuel level is low. The bulb is in its socket behind the indicator coloured button. However nothing shows through to illuminate the blue button on the dashboard. The ignition and direction indicator buttons illuminate when they should.

Can anyone describe how the socket and button can be removed from the dash panel without dismantling the dashbard from the car, or suggest what is preventing the light showing through.

Ian Bowers

If you look at the Abingdon Spares website you will see all the parts.

The barrel screws onto the bezel and then the bulb holder pushes into the bezel.

Pretty simple really.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

But Ian, it is more fun to just run out of gas on the Motorway as I remember?
Greetings from Colorado.
Ed
PS: I've sold my TD and have a brand new 2022 MINI Cooper S convertible. At my age it's a 1000% better fit!
efh Haskell

the bulb may be too high a wattage and burned the blue plastic.
Just pull out the bulb/holder and gently file off the crap.
When you put it back,be careful. Blue lens through the dash,insulating washer,wire with ring terminal then the aluminium socket followed by the bulb and holder,Lens very fragile
Ray TF 2884

Ray Lee

Good to hear from you Ed. Same car, same reason for running out of fuel which, at last, I am trying to fix.

The light fitting is, I think, an original, and so doesn't have the indeents in the escutcheon to twist the fitting shown with the Abingdon Spares item.

I will try a gentle lever to pull it out from the dash board face and see if that gives access. The alternative of working behind the dash to unscrew requires fingers over 12 in long with at least five joints and a hand no bigger than can reach into a bottle!

Onward!
Ian Bowers

The lens has an external thread which the aluminium socket screws onto and holds it in place. If you lever it from the outside it WILL snap. You will then have to put your hand through the rats nest of wires to retrieve the other bits.
With the dash tray off it is not such a bad job.
I have a buzzer connected to the earthing side of the lampholder as I cannot see the blue light during the day.
Ray
Ray Lee

That's what I feared Ray. I will check in the dark to see if there really is light there, and if so, may go down the buzzer route. Many thanks for the hint.
Ian Bowers

Ian,
Not sure of your electrical knowledge.
If you disconnect the wire on the sender and jump it to earth with the ignition on, the light should come on. If not, the bulb is blown or faulty connection.
If it lights up then the sender is at fault.Awkward to get at but can be removed with a stubby driver. Quite often the arm freezes and needs to be wiggled about a bit. It just has a simple contact inside (be careful of the fine wire inside.
Do not take the small cover off while the unit is in the tank as the contacts are submerged in fuel.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Thanks for the thoughts, Ray, my 'electric' is not too bad.

I have been right through the check route, including removing the sender and clearing the petrol residue off the contact fingers in the switch, which was preventing current flow. The wiring is intact, light bulb works and is sensitive to the float position.

The problem is simply down to the light permeability of the blue lens.

I guess I can look forward to a happy w/e with my back on the seat, feet in the air and head up against the firewall reaching for the unreachable to find what causes the block.
Ian Bowers

I find it easier to take out the seat, do the job and then worry about how I am going to get out again.
When I bought the TF I never thought I would still have it 50 years later.
Ray
Ray Lee

I don't speak TF very well. Apparently the TF low-fuel indicator is quite different from the TD. That difference seems to be the lack of a in-line resistance of ~70 ohms in the wiring. See http://www.ttalk.info/Tech/Indicators.htm. The same bulb will burn appreciably hotter without the resistance. Bud
Bud Krueger

Bud,
the bulb in the TF is further back from the lens and the aluminium holder acts as a heat sink.
I think the TD lens is held in place by the bulb and would burn without the resister.I have had to rewind a few resister coils for friends.
Ray
Ray Lee

This thread was discussed between 01/03/2022 and 03/03/2022

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