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MGB-GT GT Owners One to look out for

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Tom

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We had a discussion about fire extinguishers a while ago well I just had an experience with my C that was I think worth recounting.

I haven't used the old girl for a couple of months (having too much fun with the top down in the B) so when I went to use her the batteries were as flat as a tack, no power at all.

So I took out the back seat and set up the charger (an argument in favor of a trickle charger btw..) But I had left the driver's door ajar and the back hatch open, this meant the rear courtesy light was on.

The light in my car has seen better days so when I went to turn it off it sparked and melted it's frame and the switch return spring, it was fortunate I was there as it could easily have started a fire if unattended.

You guys out there with similar vintage GTs it might be worth your while checking the state of this fitting.....

regards
 
Sounds like you dodged a bullet, Tom.
The door switches for the courtesy lights on my Volvo have a nice feature. If you are going to have the doors open for a bit, you push in the switch plunger and give it a quarter turn, and it remains in the off position. It resets again once the door is closed. These switches look surprisingly like the ones used in the MG, so perhaps they could be fitted.
Jeff
 
What's a 'courtesy light'? Doors have SWITCHES?!?! Wow. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif
 
Door switches? my TR2 dosen't even have door handles.
Neat about the Volvo switches. I diden't know that. I'll remember that.
 
Thanks Jeff

This is a photo of the fitting after I disconnected it (it was still in place until I unscrewed it), sorry about the quality, it was dark when I took it but you can see that not only is the fitting itself wrecked but one of the wires has charred right through, perfect way to get a fire if not noticed

light3bg.jpg


regards
 
Ah so, Tom. It was the lamp itself that cooked. I had nearly the same thing happen on my GT6 prior to it's rebirth. Scary, ain't it!
Jeff
 
& those switches are a bear to come by....but I doubt it would've flamed, just melt probably
 
Tony Melt it most certainly did!! but in the process of doing so the spring got incandescent red before dropping out when I tapped it, with the vinyl next to it I reckon there was a chance (I grant you a slim one) that it might have caught, **** glad it didn't.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do about a substitute, not sure if I want to same the same type again even if I can find one, the other opting is to simply remount it disconnected with the cover on it and the switch glued into place.

Bloody silly idea using an uninsulated bit of steel for the switch, a bit of BMC cost cutting too far I reckon

regards
 
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