T-Series Rant about turn signal and headlight switch

[wkilleffer]

I hope this isn't terribly off topic, and I'm not meaning to start a flame war.

There've been a few posts recently about how parts for our cars don't seem to be of the same quality that they used to be. I've not had to order any big stuff for at least a year, so I hadn't noticed this.

Today, I got my package from Moss (sorry for not ordering it from Tony) and was excited about the headlight and turn signal switch inside. Well, the excitment was lessened somewhat by noticing that the light switch was made in China.

The turn signal switch has my headlights working, but the groove for the screws that hold the wiper switch on is absent. I had to substitute cotter pins to hold it on.

The headlight switch looks ok, but it's just a hair too big to fit into the hole in the dash. The switch action seems less "snappy" than the old Lucas switch as well.

I know companies like Moss have to worry about the bottom line. But you'd think they would have a tight enough grasp on quality control to keep this sort of thing from happening.

As much as we made fun of companies like Lucas, it's a shame they're no longer in the parts business. Having to deal with this sort of thing is like being handed a beverage that's almost, but not quite, tea.

 

[Steve_S]

Nothing wrong with Lucas. Only worn out old corroded Lucas parts. But they're still better than the garbage being pawned off as quality new parts today. Problem is that these parts are ordered in relatively small quantities. It isn't Moss, it's the people making parts for them. Money is more important than pride, it seems.

 

[DrEntropy]

I think the people making the various bits are "cottage industry" Ma & Pa places, and they don't have a CLUE what they're making. Let alone what "QC" is about. I worry about contracting E.coli diseases from unpackin' 'em! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Bugeye58]

I went through two of the knockoff switches on the Midget in a very short time. I finally sourced a NOS Lucas switch for a B and made an adapter pigtail to connect it to the harness. The knockoffs are pure junk.
Jeff

 

[DrEntropy]

Have a friend who purchased a knockoff T/S switch for his '67 B... It came without the detent spring to hold it on for right turns, then the rivets holding the release tabs FELL OUT! Thing cost him $80... likely cost the supplier less than a cuppa from "Fourbucks." ARGH.

 

[jlaird]

I am sure it frustrates folks at Moss and VB as badly as it does us. Remember Moss folks use the parts also. Don't you know they turn mountains to find parts and fight it all the time.

 

[Camshaft]

Reading this is REALLY making me look forward to buying my new turn signal switch...

 

[jlaird]

So keep an eye on ebay for a NOS one or get a used one from Tony?

 

[Camshaft]

Good point. I was told that they could be repaired. Whatever holds the switch in place for turns are broken. I have to hold it up when I make a right, and after a left I have to make sure I pull the switch up. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[tony barnhill]

No problem, William...

Something we all need to do when we encounter parts with quality problems is to languidly (I think that means calmly) let Moss know - Kevin Dodd is the guy who keeps up with that stuff and, believe me, they work on quality all the time...right now, they're sitting on a bunch of windshields but won't sell them because of quality - their buyer has been to the UK talking about them...every day, I tell my Moss guy about quality issues (& he tells me about them as I order; for example, he just told me to order hubs for a big Healey from Vicky because the ones they just got in have a problem so they're sending them back)...they really are working to solve these issues...

I'm kinda glad I've reinstituted my Victoria British dealership also...I spent an hour on the phone with one of their customer service reps, she talked with her bosses, & called me back working on a quality issue (& she's even modifying their shipping process to fit my little hobby business needs - I'm impressed.)

Both those vendors, and others I'm sure, need to know from us where the products aren't meeting our needs....with as many line items on the shelf as they have, its almost impossible to see each individual item.

 

[Rob_P]

I am glad i found out about this before i through out all my old switches. i was planning on buying all new "pretty" ones when i re did my interior.

Here is my question, are there any on line articles about refurbishing the old switches? apart from the obvious cleaning the connections?

Most of my switches are working fine, but the Hazard switch is not good. i wonder if some of it is salvagable.

Has any one used part of a new switch and part of the old switch together?


i also have the problems of the turn signals not "clicking" up or down. was planning or replacing that up until now.

thanks again,
Rob

 

[jlaird]

Check Moss and VB switch knobs available for most stuff.

 

[tony barnhill]

Ah, Rob...the 'other' MG site (www.theautoist.com) has a link to this https://www.netwide.net/users/ldel/mgbkit.html, a kit for refurbishing your instruments to make them look like new!

Plus, don't forget its great tech sections (Weimerology & Shade Tree Tech)

hehehehe - blatant self-advertising....hehehe

 

[jlaird]

Now Tony, if you don't tell em they will never know. Anyway that's what this place is all about, sorces and encorgment. Who cares who. Just get the job done.

 

[Rob_P]

Tony, that's just hte kind of links i was looking for.

thanks.

 

[jessebogan]

I am telling you guys. Look on ebay, and at car shows (vendors), and find NOS parts. I have an 8 foot tall, 4ft by 3ft shelf that is all NOS XJS parts. It is expanding to a second shelf unit as well. I keep tabs on what parts cost from vendors, and in this case the dealer, and look for bargins. I also search Lucas, Smiths, Girling, and I do it pretty much every day. I may keep the XJSs forever, and I may not. If I sell the cars, I can re sell the NOS stuff later. I am also sure that it will sell for more than I paid. I don't worry so much about mechanical parts. I figure there will always be someone selling those parts, or used units available. The one exception to this is manual transmission parts. They are expensive to make, and demand is low, so I don't think they will be available forever.I concentrate on electical parts, and what I call "trinkets and beads" you know, shiney bits and trim. I HATE pepop parts. They never look quite the same, or fit quite right. I have a much harder time with doing this with my Anglia. There is not such a good selection available, so I search English Ebay, and Australia for that car. I figure that now, after many years of doing this, I have between 4 and 5 grand tied up, but that is a parts supply for 3 british cars, and now one American odd ball as well.All in all I think it is worh it, and I hope I never need any of it. The peace of mind having it available is priceless.

 

[Keoke]

[ QUOTE ]
No problem, William...

Something we all need to do when we encounter parts with quality problems is to languidly (I think that means calmly)

Both those vendors, and others I'm sure, need to know from us where the products aren't meeting our needs....with as many line items on the shelf as they have, its almost impossible to see each individual item.

[/ QUOTE ]

WHY !!. They should be inspecting that junk soon as it hits the door. Course now you also need to know what "U" be looking at!.---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif

 

[Steve_S]

NOS parts for pre-1970 MGs aren't easy to find. Sometimes there is no choice but to use repros.

 

[Keoke]

I Hear you Steve, but what good is it if it won't work!.--Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[AlanT]

My rant for this week is similar. I purchased a headlamp switch for a V12 E-Type and it came in a PWB. Disgusted , I checked continuity and it was OK. Then I connected it without installing it to see if it would overheat and it functioned properly. Then I installed it and it never worked again. I knew it was going to get me somehow.

Amazing....

Alan T