MG Car Repair: Electrical, panel lamps, mg midget

Question
Hi Barrie,

I have a 1978 MG Midget that is having some typical Lucas electrical problems. When I got the car the dashboard worked, now it does not. I replaced the fuse but the lights are still not working. Also, the headlights work, the taillights don't.  The turn signals did but now they don't. I don't even know where to begin to look. Please help.

Thanks,

Mike

Answer
Hi Mike. I think you have more than one problem here.  

1) There are two Red/Green wires coming from the lighting switch.  One goes to the fusebox, powering the sidelights.  The other goes to the panel lamp rheostat.  If the front and rear sidelights and the panel lamps have all stopped working, but the headlamps still work, then the lighting switch has failed and you will have to fit a new one.  Please be careful when removing this switch.  The Brown wire is permanently live and has no fuse.  I strongly recommend that you disconnect the battery before removing this switch.  If the push-on terminals at the back of the switch have melted, then you may need to replace them as well.

2) The turn signals are a separate problem.  Usually, they stop working after you have operated the hazard switch.  This switch is not used very often, so the internal contacts tend to corrode.  Operate the hazard switch a few times and the problem will usually go away.