MGB brake light switches of late

[wkilleffer]

Hi everyone,

After about 12 years of faithful service, the brake light switch I installed on my 1974 MGB started getting a bit flaky and smelling hot if I sat too long at a traffic light. I attempted to disassemble and re-solder the leads to the terminals, but my efforts didn't help all that much. It was time for a new switch, which I ordered from Moss.

Now, I don't want this to turn into a bash-Moss session, cause they do some things quite well. But my attempts at fitting the new switch all but caused it to fall apart. I don't handle everything with kid gloves, but nor am I some ham-fisted klutz whot can't be trusted with a screwdriver. The part looked a bit questionable even while still in the package.

Initially, it was difficult to screw the end of the switch into the pedal box. Once in, all was fine except for two things: the wires had all but broken off at the switch terminals, and the female end of the wiring was too small for the bullets on my wiring harness. My attempts to open them up a bit caused one of the female terminals to break off.

The reason I don't want to bash Moss is because they sent a new one out free of charge after I called them about it. Managed to control my temper on the phone and all that. The new one came today, though I haven't yet opened the package.

Now, I guess my questions are, is this sort of thing normal for this particular switch, and what can I do to open the female connectors up larger to fit my harness?

 

[glemon]

I don't know about the MGB switch particularly (you might get more traffic on the MG section of the forum) but in general many of the reproduction switches I have seen lately have been a little dodgy, I had a new headlight switch fail shortly after installation on my Healey 100 a few years ago, and more recently had to re-solder some of the connections in the new turn signal switch I put in my TR250. As far as the bullet connector you might try squeezing or crimping where it goes into the harness down rather than trying to make the bullet connector end bigger, I imagine you could also solder the old bullet connector ends onto the new wire ends, but you would think you would get a part that would work better and you wouldn't have to do that.

 

[PAUL161]

This is a major problem in the T series brake switches also. Dave DuBois has relay kits for these changes at reasonable prices plus other electrical repairs. here's his email.

sufuelpumps@donobi.net

 

[Gliderman8]

I bought a brand new ignition switch for my TR6. The wire harness on the switch terminates in a 5-pin plug. After installing the switch I tried plugging the male end from the switch into the female end on the cars wiring harness, but it would not fit. The pins on the male end were too large a diameter. I called the supplier who suggested I cut the original plug off and solder it to the new switch. Knowing this might void the warranty I asked about it and was told they would still honor the warranty. I asked for and received it in writing before I cut the plug off. New part but still a PITA to install.