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MG MGB Technical - hot headlight wiring

The original indicator/highbeam stalk on my 71 managed to melt itself to pieces. I had the stalk replaced and was told the combination of lucas connectors and the wrong type of headlights were to blame causing all the connecters to melt. The good news is everything is working for the moment, however the top of the cowling still gets very hot, considering the cost of the stalk I don't want it to melt again. I've asked the guy who replaced it for me and was told that the car will require another relay to get rid off all the heat?? I would have thought that after 30 years of survival so far the existing relay setup would be adequate. Has anyone had any experience with this before, does it sound like it will fix the problem?

Thanks
Leith
Leith Harwood

The advice you have been given is correct. If you use a lot of electrical connections and then add the ‘wrong type of headlight’ then you will get electrical overload. The car was not designed this way and I would strongly recommend that you install the said relays. If not you may well, at the very least, end up with another melted stalk switch. The worse case scenario would be a burnt out car! And all for the sake of saving yourself a few pennies.
Cecil Kimber

I've just installed relays for someone who has 100/85 headlights. It reduces the current through the main lighting switch and dipswitch to a fraction. There are no relays in the standard lighting setup and you will need to provide two - one for the dip and one for the main. Use unfused relays, not fused. If you want to provide fuses as well, as I did, then use one per filament between relays and lights.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed on 31/03/2002

MG MGB Technical index

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