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Where can I obtain dash lights and switches from.

Ofcalipka

Senior Member
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Does anyone know where I could find a full set of original dash lights, the turn, highbeam, charge, ect. as well as all the original switches, headlight, dash dimmer, hazard, ect. The prior owner decided he knew better than MG and well lets just say he is a fire hazard waiting to happen when it comes to wiring. I have a 1976 MG Midget 1500 and I wouldn't mind even paying for some used switches and lights as long as they were servicable and still looked decent.

Thanks in advance,
Adam
 
Watch on E-Bay. Used dashes complete with all instrumentation pop up on there regularly. Probably won't find a donor car locally but you never know. Watch local Craig's List for a donor car. MOSS Motors and Victoria British sell all of the parts and pieces but that comes at a premium as well. I'd recommend replacing the complete wiring harness if things are as hacked up qas you describe.
 
British Wiring.com for Wiring Harness.
 
Fortunatly for me I'm really good at wiring so I repaired, improved, or replaced anything in the harness that needed it. However the current lights and switches that I have look like they were bought at radio shack and just shoved into the dash. It is just not a clean look to an otherwise impressive car.
 
Ofcalipka said:
However the current lights and switches that I have look like they were bought at radio shack and just shoved into the dash. It is just not a clean look to an otherwise impressive car.

do you have pics? sadly your description describes much of the British Car Industry at that time - we might also be able to cobble things together
 
Ask and ye shall receive:

https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/alipka/MGDash1.jpg

This photo shows what the previous owner did with the right turn signal indicator light the two red lights are the highbeam indicator and the charging light, The pull switch is the headlights now, and the green light by the radio turns on when I crank the engine over but otherwise I'm not sure what it is supposed to be, There is also a green light above the cigarette lighter that seems to serve no purpose even though it is wired into the harness with a yellow and brown wire.

https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/alipka/MGDash2.jpg

This photo shows the left turn indicator, a toggle switch the previous owner used for an ignition switch which is now just filling an otherwise empty hole. The button where the heater control should be is the horn switch since the aftermarket steering wheel did not seem to be compatible to the prior owner. This too will change later but for now since I don't have a heater at all I'm in no rush to correct this one.
 
Honestly, the turn indicators are probably a functional improvement over the originals. The other stuff... I dunno.

The reproduction switches that are available from the suppliers are usually pretty flimsy. So if you can find some originals you should consider using them (even if they are a little tired looking).
 
Also I've looked on ebay and people are asking like $40 per switch and bulb. That is just too much for me still yet.
 
Just keep looking for a complete dash with instruments that is the correct year. It may take a month or so but you can find. That other this is ask on multiple lists that support Spridgets. Lots of folks end up with donor cars, these things tend to follow one home.
 
Okay, since my wife just might kill me if I brought a parts car home. I'll keep asking in the forum here. Does anyone have any lights or switches that they could sell or donate to my cause here? I'll pay something reasonable or make a Midget available to you for your next Hawaiian holiday.
 
hang around here & ebay and it will come to you fairly soon - fortunately, nothing you are looking for affects driveability.

the light by the cig lighter is (I think) the EGR or Catalytic Converter warning light.

Not sure what the Midget parts scene is like in Hawaii, but, folk here are starting into car show/ autoumble season - can anyone keep an eye out?
 
Oh, and didn't someone just buy a ton O parts?
 
The Midget, Sprite, or even the MG in general scene here in Hawaii is almost nill at best. I know where a MGB GT and another Midget are that I could probably get for a fair price but they are in too good of a condition to use as parts cars.
 
Then look up Brett Pruitt in the phone book, call him and ask about the BCCH. It might be a pleasant surprise.

Also Hawaii Import Parts, just off of Ward Avenue can order a lot of parts for these cars..
 
I saw a web page for that group at https://britishcarclubhawaii.org/default.htm but it does not look like it has been updated in a very long while and the contact email address there seems to be no good. Are they still active at all?
 
I bought two sets off of Ebay and broke the plastic out of one and cut the metal of off the other so I had one working set. The prob is getting them apart without breaking the plastic screw part.
 
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