Spridget Tech Talk (MG Midget & Austin-Healey Sprite)
I am driving the 78 midget i have mentioned a few times before. My questions are, is the red light on the dash to the right of the speedo indicate the lack of oil pressure? also where would i find the oil dip stick? and where would i find the oil pressure sender? A prompt reply would be handy before i return the car to the owner. He has 0 skills,tools,or an owners manual . Thanks in advance Leon Carpenter
Everett,
The dipstick is below and slightly forward of the carb.
The red warning light (ignition) serves a dual purpose of reminding the driver to switch off the ignition and of being a no-charge indicator
( per1979 Midget Drivers Handbook)
1500 series did not have an oil pressure guage. Dipstick only.
Rik
Thanks a lot Rick. I did find the dip stick. I found the sender for the pressure. If it has no light i wonder why a senser? I didn't want to rev it on the test drive before asking a few dumb questions. Now that i don't know if i have oil pressure or not i can rev it for all its worth and not worry. Good thinking MG. Maybe the sensor shuts it down incase of a pressure failure, like my lawm mower :P Leon Carpenter
That's odd. As stated above the red light is the ignition warning. My '77 has a yellow oil pressure warning light right above it (and a blue high beam indicator below it).
Yes, there should be a yellow/amber light on the dash to indicate no oil pressure. That's pretty much an industry standard, no? At least for our cars' era it was.
You should see it come on when you turn the key to the "on" position and it should extinguish very shortly after the car starts. If not, shut down fast or you can destroy your engine.
Noah, unless yours is a later add-on, your gauge might be one of the differences between Canadian and US spec cars. Mine just has the coolant temp gauge and the yellow idiot light. It got worse. Eventually, MG had to build US Federal spec and California spec cars. Not sure if Canadian cars kept their own identity or became part of an overall North American (i.e. US Fed) specification. My car happens to be a California-spec car with a blend of late 76, 77, and early 78 emissions controls.
Everett, unless some PO did some mods, your 78 car should have the yellow oil pressure warning light above the blue and red lights.
Cheers,
Glen
Thanks all, It does have the amber light and it goes out right now on start up. I posted a short report & a pic after returning the car tonight. The paint is quit nice two year old. Some no magnet evidence on the rockers and one front fender. I will give a full report next drive. Leon Carpenter