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MG TD TF 1500 - ignition warning light install?

Has anyone successfully installed an ignition or gas warning light with the dashboard in place? I'm about to resort to super-glue to hold it in! This is IMPOSSIBLE! Why did they choose a spring vs. a simple thread/nut system of some sort?
Argh!!!@#$#@!
Ed
efh Haskell

Hello Ed,
maybe a bit late for you but that's why I made the openings in front and rear dash the same and used long bolts and wingnuts for the dash panel. So, now it is pretty easy to take the central dash out and to do whatever on the backside. Greetings, Huib
Huib Bruijstens

Ed,

When I do this type of repair, I remove the steering wheel, undo the speedometer and tachometer cables, undo the choke and starter cables, undo the oil pressure gauge line, and undo the screws for the entire facia panel, put a coupld of long clamps with padding on the lower facia panel support and tip the dash forward.

It sounds like a lot, but it takes me only about 30 minutes to remove and 45 minutes to replace.

Since the lenses remove for bulb replacement, you only have to do the job once.

warmly,
dave


Dave Braun

Dave, thanks for the picture of the back of the dash. Found out what was missing from mine.... the stop for the compartment door. I wondered how it was done.

Ed, I tried to replace the socket with the dash in place.... no way. It is easier to loosen the cluster and dash, then persevere.
C.R. Tyrell

CR,

Not to threadjack, but there should also be a ball catch in the door to interface with a detent in the stainless steel strip that surrounds the opening.

And you're welcome. There are also a bunch of pictures on my website in the instrument and fascia panel section, but the picture I used here of a car I worked on last summer is pretty clear.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Dave, how many times can you remove those wood screws before they loose their grip?
Ed
efh Haskell

Dave; The ball check is in the door. The door is original. Now all I have to do is get the right clearance of the door opening without vinyl and chrome strips. PO made a new dash and cut the opening too large in one corner and does not follow the door, and since I have the dash apart this is the time to fix it.

Ed. If the screws start getting loose ... put a little glue on a toothpick and put it in the hole, let it dry then just break it off.... usually solves the problem.
C.R. Tyrell

Ed, if you never overtighten them, they will never loose their grip.

I've had those screws out about four times, no problem so far. On the one in the picture above, one was already stripped because someone stripped it. (the department of redundant over-tightening.)

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Follow up...it's installed. As usual, Dave was right. I had to pull the dash. Took about 1/2 hour. However, anybody reading this in the future do NOT attempt to use the spring/clip that comes with the new lights from Moss! It will NOT work. The clip is too skinny to hold. Real junk! Does anybody try this stuff in that other country where they are built? I wasted 3 hours on this then reverted back to the spring/clip from my old (non-functional) light. 10 minutes later with help from Cindy it's installed and even works!

Thanks for all who helped!
Ed
efh Haskell

Ed, I just installed a new fuel level light. It was easier because my dash is out , but you are right about that wire clip. The one on mine worked but just barely. I had to be real careful around the resistance wire, some clear coating would be helpful there too, to protect it.
C.R. Tyrell

This thread was discussed between 12/01/2012 and 21/01/2012

MG TD TF 1500 index

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