MG Car Repair: Mg Midget 1500 turn signals, turn signal switch, left turn signal

Question
QUESTION: I have a 1500 Mg Midget with a turn signal switch that doesn't lock into position. Its as if the left turn signal should stay on forever. I have the steering column dismantled but I was wondering if replacing the entire switch itself would solve my problem. I'm not sure just by looking at it how it is supposed to work. I see there is a raised part on one side of the steering column that looks like it should disengage the turn signal via the light-gray plastic pieces on the top and bottom of the turn signal arm.

As well as a turn signal that wont engage, my blinkers work intermittently. Sometimes they work. Sometimes they don't. I read online somewhere that broken blinkers on MGs can be traced to a faulty hazard switch. I believe this could be the problem in my case. I haven't driven the car enough to test this theory and I'm always happy when the signals work.



ANSWER: Hi Caleb,
The plastic arms that operate the switch often break and you have to replace the switch to correct the problem as I have never seen the different components available separately for the switch.
Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The plastic pieces arent broken. I plan to dismantle the switch today for further inspection.

This leaves my second question unanswered. Could a faulty hazard light switch cause the blinkers to fail? The blinkers sometimes work like theyre supposed to (ignoring the problem with the blinker arm itself) and sometimes dont work at all.

Answer
The hazard switch supplies power to the flasher unit so it is possible for the hazard switch to cause an electrical failure in the turn signals but it can't cause a mechanical failure of the turn signal switch to lock into position. That is caused by the switch itself, usually the plastic arms break causing the switch to not lock and not cancel.
Howard