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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - troubleshooting Midget Electricals...

In the process of re-assembling my 73 midget with a new wiring harness and testing items as I go. last ngiht I got all the lights on the left (US driver's side) back on. tested ok: headlights, high beams, parking lights, and hazard flashers. The turn signals do not work. I am going to get the right side lights back on tonight and see if having all the lights present makes a difference (i stopped working at midnight last night).

There's not a lot of detail on the wiring diagram, so maybe you guys can help me?
3 problems, feel free to address them by problem number. any help appreciated.

Problem 1 (most important)Turn signals
when i hit the turn signal switch, nothing happens. they don't even light up, let alone flash.
1. maybe with the right side lights not installed the circuit is broken?
2. the flasher unit housing came apart when i took it off the car, seemed ok when i reassembled it but maybe... Would a broken flasher stop the whole circuit from working?

problem 2 (less important, but still annoying): windshield washer pump.
when I push the switch I can hear the pump WHIRR (quite loud without the bonnet on) but fluid does not move. The pipes, jets, and bottle are new... so no blockages or anything. I've tried reversing the hoses (maybe i have the flow wrong...) nothing. I guess the pump is just dead? It's an aftermarket replacement. thoughts?

problem 3; (least important, i can live without this function if the fix is not available)
the generic door activated switch from VB does not work for the ignition warning buzzer. It if is connected, the Buzzer buzzes whether the door switch is pushed in or out. must not be a simple ground switch? I will consult the wire diagram. the original switch fell apart in my hands so I wasn't able to see how it was supposed to be set up.

thanks,
Chris
Chris Edwards

RE. problem 2, have you tried sucking, by mouth, fluid from the reservoir through the pump to prime it, before switching it on electrically?.
If the pump is whirring it is probably working, just needs to be primed.
JB Anderson

Flasher problem-1

This circuit is fused IIRC; check fuses

It needs a working flasher unit. If you short the flasher unit out, the indicator lights should light (and not flash).

If you only have one bulb per side, there may not be enough current into the circuit to cause the flasher to make-and-break; so the single light should flash slowly, or stay on.

Problem-3: The door switches ground the wire.

HTH

A
Anthony Cutler

Hi
in order for your turn signals to operate you will have to install your hazard switch, or at least jump the two bottom terminals of the multi-pin connector that switch connects to (these are the two green wires). The purpose of this design is to disable the turn signals while the hazards are on.


please check your washer plumbing by blowing through the hose (from the pump to the nozzles). If air flows freely then try sucking from the jar (please use plain water, as washer fluid is poisonous). If there is free flow on either side of the pump, then I would suspect the pump's impeller has come off of its shaft, as you said it is making a spinning sound when powered up.


you are correct, the generic door switch can not properly operate your door buzzer, because the factory switch actually had two switches in it, and the second one is missing if you don't use that. You have two choices: abandon the buzzer, find one of those OEM switches (no one offers them for sale any more, though Leacy had ONE in stock for a while, it might be gone by now).

Here is a connection to another recent discussion on this very topic:

http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?3,1601939,1601939#msg-1601939



Norm
Norm Kerr

excellent, just what i need! thanks guys.
Chris Edwards

This thread was discussed on 17/12/2010

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