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MG MG Y Type - Dashboard Loom

Having taken a look at the prices for electrical looms these days, after a lie-down I thought that I might entertain the idea of manufacturing my own at home.
Alas, my dashboard wiring is in a parlous state after another schoolboy error caused a small fire which miraculously extinguished itself instantly, thank you God. Replete with shabby oily maskingtape labels and half a roll of black masking tape, my initial creation has remained functional, but was uneasy not only on the eye, but to the inner man: whenever I was in the car I was ever aware of the ghastly connections lurking behind the dash, ever alert to electrical failure. As if there wasn't enough to be thinking about whilst driving the car, with a crescendo rattle on the front UJ at 50mph, squeaking suspension, and a back axle that can sound like a brass band warming up, with one eye on the sagging temporary rear view mirror on the dashboard - another triumph for Blutac - in case yet another part has moulted off in transit.
With the lights on, if one switched on the fog lamp, the fog lamp did not light; but the right trafficator came on rather brighter than when in its usual circuitry, partially melting the brand new trafficator arm.
This was never going to pass an MOT, so I have bit the bullet and am replacing the dashboard loom. So far, I have not found one for sale so that I could make a replica.
Has anyone tried this before, and would some kind soul tell me where I might find a good image of what the dashboard loom is supposed to look like anyway?
A J R Felthouse

YA, YB or YT Dashboard loom ?

Cheers

Tony
A L SLATTERY

She's a YA.
A J R Felthouse

Have you asked Autosparks for a price Andrew? If so, what was it? Sometimes even though you have sticker shock it is just easier to swallow and take the hit than reinvent a wheel.
Paul Barrow

Hi Andrew
I did it myself, and quite enjoyed it. Get a big copy of the correct wiring loom, I used A3. You can get you wires from the place in Tenbury Wells, Worcs. I forget the name just google it. Remove the dash small panel.
Then its a clean work area with a good light and a big mug of tea and remember to get it the right way round with long tails to go through the bulkhead to the fuse box. Oh yes and careful with the lighting switch !
Good luck John B Y4424
J K Bowman

Thank you John, you have inspired me. Time and again I forget the original purpose for buying this car: to be as self-sufficient as possible with it, in keeping with the thrift of the times in which they were built.
Now all I need is a copy of the thing.
I tried the Autosparks website, but couldn't see an image of what I require, or even the mention of a dashboard loom as a separate entity.
I've looked on the website for an idea of what it should look like, but without success so far.
Andy
A J R Felthouse

I dont think you will find a seperate diagram for the dash loom.If you buy an A3 complete wiring diagram from www.framebook.co.uk it will come as an A3 on a magnetic sheet which is quite handy. It is a white background with all the coloured wiring clearly shown and components also shown . It isnt too difficult to just focus on the dash board section. Go for it . Give me a shout if you need help .
Cheers John
I should add dont leave it in the sun, it will bleach all the colour off the sheet!!!
J K Bowman

Hi Andrew

I would suggest you give them a call. I have phoned them before from the US and they have always been more than cooperative and helpful over the phone. Their website cannot show all of the options even for the main looms of the different Y, Y/T and YB versions that are required to cover our cars, but they can provide not only dash, but also SWC looms too.

Paul
Paul Barrow

All,

I fabricated a new dash loom myself, using my old loom as a guide(see photo). I "moved" the light sockets and fittings to the new loom.

I'm not sure what the "A3" that you refer to is. A size of paper sheet?

The wiring diagram may be found at:

https://www.mgccyregister.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/wiringYT2-scaled.jpg

Note that the diagram shows the wiring from the back of the panel! Stay alert to keep left and right correct!

As Paul suggests, I purchased several meters of braided wire in each color needed from Autosparks. They gave excellent service and quality. Cost was about 10 GBP.

I assembled a new loom in an afternoon. Use electrical tape and/or heat-shrink tubing to bind the wires.

Remember to use a 2.5W bulb for the ign warning light, NOT the same wattage as the panel lights use!

Good to go for another 70 years!

Rocky


Rodney C "Rocky" von Dullen

All,

Typo in my last post:

the ign warning light bulb is 2.5V and 0.5W;

the panel light bulbs are 12V 2.2W.

Rocky
Rodney C "Rocky" von Dullen

Yes you are right Rocky, A3 is a paper size, actually its double A4 which is typical household printer size. The sheet is wipeable as well, and the larger size is handy for my old eyes.
The firm I mentioned is Auto Electric Supplies in Tenbury , if you fancy a firm closer to home Andrew.
Good points from Rocky about getting it the right way round and bulb sizes but as a mini project it is very do-able for the average owner.
John
J K Bowman

This thread was discussed between 05/11/2022 and 09/11/2022

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