Spridget Tech Talk (MG Midget & Austin-Healey Sprite)
All three of the above worked fine. Then the stalled on my son and it wouldn't turn over so I had to go get him. Jumped the MG to start it and it started fine. Now all three: the tach, the fuel gauge and the brake lights don't function. I checked the fuses and they are fine. Could this be this the voltage stabilizer? Is there something else I should look at/for?
Thanks.
Did you physically remove the fuses to examine them? Or just peer in with a flashlight? If the latter, take out the fuses and clean them up and try again. My '73 lost the fuel gauge, turn signals, brake lights and maybe the tach (can't remember) - it was corroded fuses and fuse sockets. If you have a Haynes manual use the vehicle's VIN to determine which wiring diagram is for your car...I did that and all three dead items went to one fuse. If you don't have a Haynes manual, get one :)
I have a'72, so some experience here. I think I'd start by checking/cleaning the connections at the fuse block. Lucas demands clean tight connections, and often these kinds of issues turn out to be nothing more complicated than high resistance on a spade or bullet connector. Fuse terminals oxidize too and cause all manner of head scratching problems. As for the fuses, they can LOOK OK, but be blown too, so if all else fails substitute fuses one by one with one you KNOW to be good.
It looks from my wiring diagram that all three of these components derive their power from the #2 terminal ( green wire )on the fuse block, so you might want to start there.
yep I had the same thing happen to my 72.fuse looked good but I replaced it anyway and fixed the problem. my backup light switch wiring shorted and caused mine to blow.
OK. So I will go down the fuse path first. Thanks for the lead. Newbie question. The fuses are so jacked up on the ends I can't tell what AMP they are. Is there documentation somewhere that tells me? I was given a factory workshop manual reprint and I can't find it in there anywhere.
I have the same thing happen periodically. Either rolling the fuse while in the terminal or just some prodding around with my 12V tester seems to convince it to work. I think for me the actual issue is where the green wires are plugging into the fuse terminal as after poking those with the tester the problem hasn't happened in a while.
I had re-occuring similar problems, would roll the fuses, etc., things would be good for a while, then start having problems again.
I finally bit the bullet & repalced the fuse block with one from Vic Brit or Moss, I don't remember which one now, BUT, it solved the problem for over a year now!
Hats off. Learned something today. Pulled the fusebox. Cleaned the contacts. Put everything back. And now everything but back up lights work. Thanks everyone.
