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dodgy electrical connection somewhere?

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77MidgetMkIV

77MidgetMkIV

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Hello all,
newbie here with a question regarding 1977 MG Midget: the tach, directionals and other gauges/instruments intermittently stop functioning, always at once, then resume functioning shortly thereafter. I know that it must be elctrical, but cannot seem to locate the loose/faulty connection. Has anyone seem this, and if so, where/how was your issue found? This type of question is a long shot, I know, but I will need to get an inspection sticker in the spring, and would rather not have things die in the bay...they tend to frown on that
 
This is a pretty common thing for Midgets.

On my 66, the interior lights would only work when I hit a bump. Then of course go off again after I hit another bump.

Check all the wiring and remove any tape that looks like it was placed there as a DIY type of thing. Check those areas out as some of those connections may be corroded. Go through all your connections with a test light.

If all else fails, there is a place called British Wiring in Olympia Fields, IL that will build you a new harness for a reasonable price. That's the route I'm going.


If all else fails
 
check your fuse box connections. clean and grease them all.


mark
 
Since it seems to happen to a multitude of things at the same time, it's likely to be one "main" connection point somewhere.
You may want to check all the plug-on connectors on the fuse block. I'd clean each connector carefully and spray it with "electical contact cleaner" (best source for this is Radio Shak).
Next, I'd check the "accessory" connector on the ignition key switch. On your car, you'll have to remove the steering column cover piece. Be very careful not to damage the combo-turn-horn-headlight stalk...it's pretty delicate.
There is a "voltage conditioner" (or whatever it's called) under the dash somewhere. These things are used to prevent current spikes to the instruments and they can go bad (or may have loose connectors).
Look at the wiring diagram in your manual to find these and other "main connector" points in the wiring harness.
A couple of years ago, I took off every electrical plug-on connector on my car and cleaned/tightened it. Boring job, but with any car over 25 years old, this is a good idea.
 
Well, I studied the wiring schematic last night for a bit and went cross-eyed. What I did determine, however, is that all of the outages that are occuring at once have a common trait, that is they are all wired through the fascia harness. I then went to the garage and poked around a little and found what may have been some loose/dirty connections in the fascia harness to main harness connector. I say "may have", because my battery was flat and not installed, so I had to put it on the charger, and will hook it all up tonight to test. I also plan on checking the Instrument Voltage Stabilizer (learned a lot of new terms last night!), but figured that I would start with the easy. that, and a fuse block cleaning...

one other thing: since it seems to rectify itself while I am driving around, I figure that it must be either built up moisture, or a loosed connection. Hoping that I do not have to start rebuilding harnesses...
 
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