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MG Midget and Sprite General - tachometer stopped working

My tachometer stopped workin on my 1072 mg midget. Also brakes lights are these connected

Thank you

Chuck
Charleston,WV
CEH chuck

Sounds like a fuse to me.
Lawrence Slater

Hello Kent:

I checked my fuses and they are ok, What else could it be?

Thanks

Chuck Hall
CEH chuck

Brake lights and tacho fail together might be coincidence. So treat as seperate items until you find other wise.

Tacho.
Tacho needs 12 volt power and earth. Check that the 12 volts is present when the ignition is switched on, and that you have a good earth connection to the case of the tacho.

The signal that causes the deflection of the tacho needle, is fed via a small loop of cable at the rear of the tacho.

This loop is formed from a cable coming from the ignition switch, and going to the low tension (12 volts) of the coil. The cable sits in a small loop at the back of the tahco, and induces a signal in the tacho by the action of the opening and closing of the points in the distributor (or the action of electronic ignition if you have it).

If the engine is capable of running, clearly the loop isn't broken. But it might have been disconnected from the rear of the tacho. I would have a look there. It's a white cable.

Brake lights.
If both are not working, then get a partner to put foot on brakes with ignition on. get 12 volt meter, or a lead with a 12volt bulb and test at brake lamp holder.

If no volts or lamp lit, then get under dashboard drivers side and inspect brake light switch. Test for 12 volts or use 12 volt bulb on lead.

Report back and we'll go from there. :)





Lawrence Slater

PS to brake light test.

You may(probably) have a sender unit in the hydraulic line that sends the 12 volts to the brake lights, instead of a brake switch by the pedals.

I suspect you will have the former.

It's in the engine compartment near or on the inner wing (fender).

There are two leads, green if I remember correctly.

One is live 12 volts when the ignition is on, and the other goes to the brake lights. (spade connectors).

Pull off and test for 12 volts, or just join together momentarily whilst ignition is on and friend is looking at brake lights.

Report back. :)

Lawrence Slater

For the last 20 years or so, my tacho has needed a tap on the glass to register once engine running. Give yours a couple of good taps next time you're out.

A
Anthony Cutler

This thread was discussed between 06/10/2011 and 08/10/2011

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