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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Reverse lamp plunger

Hi everyone,

My apologies for the intrusion but I have reached a bit of a dead end in my 1972 midget 1275 rebirth and could use some advice.

Problem:
Reversing lights are on all the time

Is it electrical?
Really dont think so. Wiring checks out and reverse light switch is brand new.

My suspicion:
The plunger, inside the remote control housing the gear lever, is wrong way round i.e. 180 out so the cut-out that activates the reverse light switch is facing away from said switch and thus not acting on it as it travels up and down.

My questions:
1. Is this a real possibility?
2. If so, is it possible to correct the orientation with the gearbox in situ?

Your thoughts would be gratefully received!

Simon
Simon Fryer

Hi Simon,

"reverse light switch is brand new"

My first thought is another piss-poor faulty part perhaps - I'd test the brand new switch, never assume just because it's brand new that it won't be faulty.

Second thought is there a washer fitted and is it the correct thickness.
Nigel Atkins

Did you have the problem before replacing the switch?

Can you feel any resistance from the spring-loaded plunger when selecting reverse?

It's possible that the plunger is stuck in the 'up' position, meaning that the switch is permanently engaged.

You can see the plunger through a hole in the top face of the remote housing, when you remove the gear lever retaining plate. Check that it moves up and down when selecting reverse.
Dave O'Neill 2

Thanks guys for your responses.
Nigel: I had this problem with the old switch which is why I replaced it. Will test the new one again.
Dave: there is resistance to engaging reverse and I can watch the plunger going up and down. I can also see the side of it through the hole where the vibration damper goes, which is what makes me think it's in backwards.
S
Simon Fryer

Same for two switches is very much less likely.

I've got a T9 box so I'm not even sure now (without looking in the Driver's Handbook) where reverse is for you but I do previously remember some sort of plug at the back that was something to do with reverse (selection rather than switch) so that info would be in the Archives.

Or wait more for Dave and others who know what they're talking about.


Nigel Atkins

The reversing switch on my 1500 was stuck closed. A bit of thin oil loosened it up.
C MADGE

Well thanks everybody! Turns out that an extra washer on the switch where is enters the remote control does the job...
Simon Fryer

Yes I did wonder if the modern washers supplied might be thinner, IIRC they were thick copper washers originally but anything that's thick enough and holds the switch through vibration will be fine.

Nice to have a simple and inexpensive solution.
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 16/04/2019 and 18/04/2019

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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