MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
Looked at a 1972 B for sale today. I have a Midget but would like to acquire a B. It looked like a nice car overall but the red brake light stayed lit on the dash when the emergency brake was lowered to off. What could cause this? The guy selling it said he probably had not bled the brakes properly. What are the reasons the brake light would stay on?
its a typical problem. happens on mine too. theres a couple things it could be, usually the switch that turns off the light when the parking brake is released becomes gummed up and sticks, making it stay on. either that or something more obvious...like a loss of brake pressure somewhere in the system, which can be fixed by re-bleeding the brakes(Spend time on it, the patience of a thorough job pays off afterall =P) some more major possibilities are the usual... leaky slave cylinders in the drums, slow leak in the master cylinder, or a slow leak in one of the hard line connections. My advice, just take a close look at it before driving, make sure nothings wet. As im sure you know, B's have notoriously sloppy brake systems, so if you purchase it, first thing on your list should be a complete overhaul on the braking system. Buona fortuna
Mary - if you're talking about the red light in the upper left part of the dash, that has nothing to do with releasing the e-brake handle that Russ is talking about.
For a 72, that red light means a hydraulic failure in the brake system. When you pressed on the brakes, did the pedal go to the floor? Do you see any leaks of brake fluid in the engine compartment or in the driver footwell?
You have more homework to do on this. Don't just take the seller's word for it that it needs to simply have the brakes bled. If it's that simple, he'd have done it himself.
Thanks for the correction, missed the fact that we're talking about a 72, different dash layout than mine
Thanks for the advise. The car started and I only made it to the end of his driveway and it died and the seller could not get it started again. So, I really did not get a feel for the brakes. WHen I looked at teh master cylinder it was dry but the paint under it was gone from the brake fluid. The seller is going to get the car fixed and I will go back and drive it then. The car spent most of it's life in Calif and there is zero rust. But I think I will have to put significant $$ into the mechanicals. Advise from members of my local MG club advised get the best body and worry about the mechanical stuff as you go. I am told rust is the enemy and body work is the real expensive problem.
Mary