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While I wait for my motor.......

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terriphill

Darth Vader
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While the motor for my 77 midget is out, I thought I would clean up the engine bay, etc. I have all sorts of wiring tucked that doesn'e appear to be attached. How or where do I go to begin tracing and trying to sorts through what wires go where and how. I can follow a simple wiring diagram but it's a lot of work for me. Any ideas or suggestions where to go? I would like to look at all I can and check for shorts etc.
 
Sounds like you need a good wiring diagram and some patience. I'd clean the wires and figure out what is not attached and why. Did the previous owner new run wires because of a harness fire? Are the wires not needed because of a change in electronic ignition or deletion of other unwanted features?

I'd start by making a list of what works and what doesn't and then report back here for further suggestions. We can also tell a lot from pictures after you get things cleaned up.

BTW, I haven't put that hazard switch in the mail yet, but it is all boxed up.
 
Can you recommend a place to get a good wiring diagram for a 1977 MG midget, or are the ones in my repair manual fine?
 
Hang one of these Wiring Diagrams in your garage.
They are so good, even I can follow one, and I despise electrical work.
 
This is great thanks (and to Basil too) think I'll go study for a bit. T:smile:
 
And when you become a Yoda you still need wireing diagrams.
 
I assume your car has a non stock ignition system as the Opus ignition it came with had a life expectancy of about 5 seconds. If you are seeing a lot of loose wires in the vicinty of your coil, they are probably formerly members of the stock ignition system. A few of them have 12v supply. As long as those wires are secured from shorting on your frame, you should be good to go. Another classic loose wire on your car is the one that goes to the utterly worthless brake indicator switch. Again, as long as the 12v end is secured from shorting against the frame, all should be well.
 
I see connections that are not connected, a fuse box just hanging...little stuff that makes the OCD part of me crazy. I figured I should start at the front and start tracing wires to see where they go and if they are where they should be. So, since I have some time..... I can print the diagram from Basil's site and pin it to the board aboave my midget bay. Thanks for the idea!
 
Someday I'm going to redo the Bugeye diagram so I can make a huge copy for the garage wall. Maybe I'll have it framed too... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

When I redid the harness in the Bugeye, I used the diagram from the Haynes manual. It seemed to be accurate.
 
Yes Drew, but a Bugeye only has 5 or 6 wires. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

A rubber bumper Midget has about 800.

I might be exaggerating....
 
I looked briefly at the diagrams for the later cars, and was eternally grateful to be working on the simple old Bugeye. You could probably fit the Bugeye diagram legibly on a 3x5 card! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

I don't envy you Midget folks one bit when it comes to electrical work. I took a look at the loom on my 74, and decided I was happy to be passing that on to the next owner.
 
And it seems so simple to me after working with a 1990 300ZX and 1990 Turbo Supra. I was so thankful to have car that didn't have a computer. After those two nightmares...this almost is enjoyable. I took the Haynes manual to school, photcopied the diagram, blew it up and now its 4- 8 x 10 sheets taped together. I'm hanging it on the wall over the midget so it will be easy to see and readily available. Thanks for a great idea! Ooh maybe I'll color code it too!
 
switch went in the mail today. I hope it is useable.
 
Thank you! It seems so silly to be fussing over all the switches etc. when the motor is such a mess....but I need to occupy my time while I wait and replacing switches, running wires etc. keeps me busy.
 
Hardly silly. Now's the time to DO that. Once the engine's in and running, you'll want to be driving not wire-chasing.
 
You have my sympathy NOT. While I was building my Cobra replica I used an 1989 Mustang wiring harness. The diagram I had was ten pages, each 18 X 24. Probably ended up with 15 or 20 pounds of extra wire and relays etc to toss out once I stripped out all the unnecessary circuits. Bob
 
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