MG1600s driving lights & handbrake switch

[Katana550]

Hello all,

A quick question if I may:

Can anyone give me some pointers on the correct wiring for the twin driving lights in the grill unit of my MG1600s series?

The lights are Hella units and each has a blue and a brown wire. The connections have previously been bodged so I would like to do a proper job but am unsure as to how exactly to wire them into the headlights.

I presume they should come on with main beam headlights?

Also, the handbrake switch appears to have stopped working. All the lights on the console are fine as they come on when the ignition is first turned on. what would be the best process for re-awakening the switch?

Many thanks

Tim

[matthewsemple]

Can anyone give me some pointers on the correct wiring for the twin driving lights in the grill unit of my MG1600s series?

I cannot help with your query but I'd love to see a picture of the car - can you post one up?

I presume they should come on with main beam headlights?

I'd say that was right if they are driving lights. MG Turbo driving lights come on with full beam not dipped.

[Katana550]

Hello again,

I now have the handbrake switch working - dodgy connection behind the dash :rage:

However, I need to know which lights should come on when :rolleyes:

When I turn the ignition on all the dash warning lights come on. Most of them then go off after a short period of time. Similar to my 1985 VdP.

But when I apply the hadbrake only the 'Handbrake on' light comes on. When I apply the handbrake on the VdP three lights come on ('Hadbrake On', 'Brake Pad Wear' & 'Brake Fluid Level Low').

Any ideas whether this is correct or should it be the same as the VdP??

Thanks again

Tim

[matthewsemple]

But when I apply the hadbrake only the 'Handbrake on' light comes on. When I apply the handbrake on the VdP three lights come on ('Hadbrake On', 'Brake Pad Wear' & 'Brake Fluid Level Low').

My MG1600 is the same but I have never investigated it to see if it is due to a blown bulb or something more complex - funny coincidence though as yours is doing the same as mine!

Are you bringing it to MG Saloon Day? There were three MG1600s last year: Mine, Mike Milner's and a race car on the MMOC stand.

If those turn up and Nick brings his black car and you come in yours then we'll have five. That will be a record because at 2000 there were two, 2001 just one, (I didn't go in 2002) and in 2003 there were three. ;)

In fact last year digital dashes were aplenty because we had three B-reg MG Montegos and some Y/A reg Vanden Plas. (I digress :laugh: )

[Dave]

I presume your talking about the after market grants lights fitted in a nice looking replacement radiator grill... possibly the red ones i sold on ebay a while back!
The driving lights are best wired to a relay switched by the main beam power feed. This way they will only come on with main beam...

Can someone else post me a circuit diag to this effect... ive got to make tracks (im off to le-mans!)

Dave.

[Katana550]

I presume your talking about the after market grants lights fitted in a nice looking replacement radiator grill... possibly the red ones i sold on ebay a while back!
The driving lights are best wired to a relay switched by the main beam power feed. This way they will only come on with main beam...

Can someone else post me a circuit diag to this effect... ive got to make tracks (im off to le-mans!)

Dave.

Thanks for the replies :)

Nope, these ones came with the car - I don't know if they are 'Grants' (Who they?) these are Hella units.

I could also do with a circuit diagram - at the moment I've bodged them to the sidelights - just to check they work :nonono:

Thanks

Tim

[MG1600S]

A couple of quick checks you can do:

Ignition on, handbrake off, unscrew the brake fluid reservoir cap and pull it out of the fluid, keeping it level, this should activate the brake failure light and the voice. It may be the connectios to the cap or the cap itself.

Also check the wiring down to the Drivers side front brake pad, often the wires get pulled out of the socket or rust up.

Finaly, what colour is your MG 1600S - take it to MGM, I'd love to see it!

[E_T_V]

Here is a wiring diagram I've drawn from memory. Please check it before using it.

I can't remember the pin number of the relay that controlls the lights but iit'll be either the only other pin on a 4 pin relay or one of the pins on a 5 pin one. (It won't go bang if you get it the wrong way round)

[E_T_V]

Just chjecked. the Pin for output to the driving lights is 87.

Ignore the layout on my picture as it is probably wrong but the pin numbers are correct.