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MG TD TF 1500 - Dreaded signal switch

Some time back I got a used Lucas turn signal switch. With great difficulty I replaced the leather seal with a pump seal/gasket and rebuilt it. It would work pefectly with a nice delay for about a day. Cold weather (below 60) would result in no delay. The last time I worked on it I swore I would never again. No delay for the past year. Unfortunately I was bored today and opened it up again. After two hours of fiddling, I had a switch that now did not work at all. One last attempt resulted in me staring at the broken switch and several pieces of the shattered handle. Nice work on my part! Has anyone had long term success with an original or one of the repros? How about an electonic delay unit that would fit in the original housing? Or just stick the thing on for appearance and hide a toggle switch like I ran for years? Help!! George
George Butz

George - There are clock work delay switches available, unfortunately I don't remember where I have seen them. You might try a Google search. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

George
I had great luck refurbishing my switch. Soaked the old leather part in olive oil 3 years ago and cleaned things up.
I would look on ebay for a new one. They show up regularly and go for about 75 bucks. This type of Lucas switch was used in many cars, Citroens, Land Rovers, MG's etc. There is a fellow in Malaysia who lists them regularly. I have bought from him with no problem.

Tom
'54 TF
Tom Norby

While I do not have a mechanical directional switch, I would suspect that almost any "GOOD" leather waterproofing/conditioner would work well to keep the leather part soft and pliable..I have been using a can "Red Wing" Mink Oil (paste) to protect my work boots, and any thing else made from leather.. it's great stuff!!!

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

George, my first attempt at renovating a switch has been successful, working for the past three years, in all temperature conditions. Subsequent attempts on other switches have not been so good, even though I used the same techniques that worked on the first switch.

I put index card stock behind the leather washer to make it seal along the edge, dielectric grease to make it supple, and the ends of a cotton swab to provide the filter under the set screw. I think the key is the cotton. If I hold my finger over the breather, the switch functions. If the cotton is not comprised of long enough strands, one tends to overtighten the set screw and crack the case. ~sigh~

I'm thinking of trying high quality cotton balls on the next attempt.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Geo:-

My TF, and the direction switch are absolutely original. Never fiddled-with. Don't dare after reading this thread.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A Clark

This thread was discussed between 07/01/2012 and 08/01/2012

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