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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Dash Warning Lights

Look out, we are being ripped off by several of our Mg Parts Suppliers. Both the Low Fuel Warning Light and the Ignition Warning Light on the TF require 2 wire connections and the use of insulated bulb holders. I cannot verify if originally the way to deal with this issue was to install an insulation washer between the dash and the lens holder and use a non insulated bulb holder. This is is the way some suppliers are supplying components to address this task. This means a lug for the second connection has to be soldered to the lamp socket, clumsy to say the least.

Insulated 2 wire lamp holders are available if you search for them, why cant all suppliers sell them?

This may provide an answer to the numerous posts indicating issues with the functionality of these lights.

To clarify the Direction Indicator Light is a 1 wire connection and does require an uninsulated socket, it uses the dash earth for its ground potential.
G Evans

OEM-style Ignition and Fuel Warning light sockets are 2-terminal devices with built-in resistance wire between one terminal and the internal bulb contact. Take a look at http://www.ttalk.info/Tech/Indicators.htm for more details. They are quite different from the high beam or turn signal indicator sockets. Bud
Bud Krueger

Hi Bud, looks like you have some nice weather on the way! I'm pretty sure the TF warning lights/sockets are totally different than the TC/TD ones. BTW, Great article, I had not seen it before. George
George Butz

Mea culpa. These ancient eyes didn't spot the TF parameter. Weatherman says 6-12 inches of the white stuff is heading our way tonight. Bud
Bud Krueger

A metal washer with a tab was inserted between the fiber washer and the lens cup to provide the second wire connection and the bulb holder was not insulated in the TF originally.

You need to save and reuse this special metal washer. Its OD is larger than the AL cup with about a 1/4 inch tab cut from the original washer stock.
The replacements do not supply this washer.

Don Harmer
Don Harmer

Mr. Evans
I followed Don Harmer's instructions, and got my TF dash lights working perfectly. I went to the local hardware store and found a very thin fiber washer to insulate the 2nd wire connection on the low fuel light. Mine had gone missing. It cannot be very thick or the aluminum housing will not tighten up with the threaded plastic light lens.
Tom
'54 TF
Tom Norby

This thread was discussed on 29/10/2011

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