MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

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 Midget and Sprite Technical - Midget MkIII Speedo Advice

The speedo in my MkIII midget has not been very steady during my ownership (20+years!!), often wavering 5/10MPH at any speed over c50MPH. However, it has recently changed to include a number of different problems.
It became very slow to indicate reductions in speed and, sometimes still showed 20MPH for a while when stationary.
I suspected a cable problem so I disconnected it but the speedo remained at 20MPH before slowly returning to zero. Sometime this was overnight.
After more use the speedo seemed very slow and never "caught up" with real speed when accelerating and was still slow to show the reduction when I slowed down. There must be a problem with the actual head unit. Sometimes it works pretty well at the beginning of a journey and deteriorates badly as I continue. I have checked the readings against an app on my phone and they are at least as bad as I guessed.
I would like to have it refurbished if that makes sense. Has anyone on this board had their unit rebuilt? Any recommendation on who to use and some idea of cost would be most welcome. Alternatively, is there a source of good secondhand units?
Thanks, Ray
Ray Rowsell

Often recommended on here:-

Richard Jenkins of C&V Instruments of Redditch 07747 357 044
Dave O'Neill 2


For refurbishment, try ...

http://www.jdo1.com/

or ...

http://www.speedograph-richfield.com/

In my experience, both give excellent service.
J.E. Davies

I've used Richard Jenkins to convert standard speedo to custom spec for the race car, first class service and not expensive.
David Smith

yep, use Richard Jenkins. His workshop is just around the corner from me; top class work and very helpful. Calibrated my tachometer for a fraction of the cost of some other workshops..and would have done it for me the same day had I not been going to Tesco....
David Cox

This sticky action is often as a result of dust and gunge accumulation. If you remove the speedo and gently clean the head with cellulose thinners on a cotton bud, followed by a squirt of WD 40, you should find it all works smoothly again. Test by driving with a variable speed drill - that way you can keep the drill at various revs to make sure the speedo reads steady speeds.
f pollock

Keep thinners well away from the numbered wheels, the dial face, pointer and any celluloid windows if fitted. !!
GuyW

I used SmithsGauges based in Edenbridge Kent for a rebuild of my mechanical rev counter and fuel /water gauge. Nice job and all works well. allandavis509@gmail.com
Bob Beaumont

EBay is your friend
1 Paper

Thanks everyone.

I will take it out to see if there is anything obvious and if not talk to the recommended suppliers.

Thanks for the really helpful thoughts
Ray Rowsell

Richard Jenkins did a great job on my pseedo including a proper recalibration. I previously used the Edenbridge chap..... less said the better!
Graeme Williams

yep...Richard's yer man
David Cox

Just an update. I used Richard Jenkins to refurbish my speedo as recommended here. It was returned looking like new and I refitted it this afternoon and it works like new. Before sending it off, I spoke to Richard on the phone when he gave me an idea of cost and timescales and both were accurate. Nothing was too much trouble for him. Highly recommended. Thanks everyone.

Ray
Ray Rowsell

If it's not a rude question what sort of cost was involved?
Mine wavers around all over the shop. At around 40 I could be doing anything from 30 to 50 !!!!
G Hawkins

No Problem. 50 pounds (sorry pound key broken!!) + P&P

I hope this helps,

Ray
Ray Rowsell

Seems very reasonable.
Thanks.
G Hawkins

Good feedback Ray, thanks.
David Smith

Yep, Richard is the man.
He recalibrated, changed readout to km/h, had the disc reprinted to km/h, did a repair of the ODO meter, suplied me with thumb nuts, facia Oring and a good used reset cable. I received an amazingly beautiful restored speedometer for only £80 !
Jan Kruber

Another vote for Richard. Did an absolutely cracking job on mine.
Karl Bielby

He did mine too, after I'd had a load of hassle with MGB Hive. They recalibrate it, (it took ages) but failed to preserve the original mileage as I'd asked them to. It came back zeroed. When I complained, they said it would take another two weeks to put the mileage right, so I said forget it. After about three months the trip meter failed.
I then sent it to Richard who repaired it and put the correct mileage back on it. All for a very reasonable price and almost by return post. It is still working perfectly.
Top man!
b higginson

This thread was discussed between 19/02/2018 and 31/05/2018

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.