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MG MGA - Ignition Light Problem

Started the MGA yesterday and the ignition light glows bright no matter what the revs. This occurred with no warning as I have always had a positive charge on the ammeter after starting (the ammeter is an extra Smiths gauge installed to fill a hole in the dash created by the PO). The only thing I have done recently is fool with the gauges to improve the lighting brightness in the speedo & tach by painting the interiors white and cleaning the rheostat(those tips worked well). Those gauges all seem fine elctrically as it is only the illumination that is electrically at work here. I am thinking this is yet another case of coincident problems - i.e. the generator or regulator has chosen this opportunity to go sideways because they sensed that I had dared to monkey with another unrelated part of the car ( my panaoia after 30+ years of ownership is showing).I have removed the fuel gauge as it suddenly went to empty even though I know there is more than 1/2 tankfull. The wiring connections to it have been isolated & taped. I am hoping that some of you can offer advice on where I should start looking first since the weekend is coming and the weather forecast is for 70 F+. I am reluctant to drive with the ammeter showing a drain of 3 or 4 amps at 1500 RPM and a bright red ignition light. Advice appreciated. Thanks
Tom Heath

Wires on the generator ok?
Paul Hanley

Check to ensure that the generator output rises to over approx 13.0 volts as you bring the revs up at which point the voltage coil should close the regulator contacts. If it does and the ignition light stays on then it might be as simple as cleaning the regulator contacts which might have oxidised. If the voltage does not rise then the generator might need new brushes or the comm cleaned. Make sure that the field wire to the gen is also securely connected.
Iain MacKintosh

Tom

Probably a total red herring, but is the ignition light on all the time or only when you have the headlights on? I managed to transpose the high beam light and cable with the ignition light and cable ( i.e. pushed them into the wrong instruments). With the lights on full beam (I thought they were dipped because the high beam light was out)I had the ignition light on the time!

Steve
Steve Gyles

Tom - Check that your ignition light socket is ont grounded on one side. The bulb should be isolated from ground and if for some reason one side has been shorted to ground, I believe that it will cause the symptom your have mentoned. Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

This thread was discussed between 22/04/2005 and 23/04/2005

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.