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MG MG Y Type - YA Stop light switch

The brake switch on my YA has failed which puts me off the road until replaced/repaired. I cannot seem to find anything useful on the web. Any hints, tips, wisdom from the collective knowledgebase here?

Thanks in advance
Murray
Murray Grainger

Murray

They are a very simple lever operated switch. Do you know WHY it has failed?

Simple things to check -
Are all the wires connected (all 2 of them!)?
Are the levers all in place and connected?
Are the lights failing to come on or do they not go off (i.e. has it failed in the closed mode or open)?
Does the return spring work still?
Are the contact points inside the switch making/breaking contact?

The switches are NLA but I have a couple of right hand drive ones here and even one left hand drive one (yes the switches are different) I am pretty sure in my store of bits.

If you can get yours off it will be easier to figure out why it isnt working for you.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Murray,

My YT did the same, and after fiddling around in pedal box found the return spring attached to the pedal had broke. Made new piece from split pin and works fine now.

Try http://www.vintagemotorspares.com/ sure they have switches you are after, or certainly very similar so you would need to check with vendor.

Richard
R E Knight

Decided to order the hydraulic conversion from NTG as the line of least resistance (saves taking the floor out to get to the original switch which may not be repairable). Thanks for the suggestions.

Cheers
Murray
Murray Grainger

Murray, I made the same decision the other day, but I'm probably a month away from filling the brake lines up, so will be keen to hear how you find the adaption.It should be good, but I'm not sure whether by putting in DOT 5 silicone fluid, I'll undermine the effectiveness of the hydraulic switch. Harley Davidson apparently abandoned silicone fluid when they found that the hydraulic pressure was less effective for braking purposes. Could you post an update when you're using the hydraulic adaptor? Thanks ... John.
J P Hall

The hydraulic switch is a very good option Murray
Paul Barrow

Murray and John,

One of the very few departures from a 'totally original' rebuild of my YA was the fitting of a hydraulic brake light switch.

The original switch is crude and very tricky to get to so for such an important component the hydraulic option is a 'no brainer'

I bought mine from C & C in Holland, they supply NTG but are cheaper.

I have also chosen to use silicone fluid in my totally new system and the operation of the brake light (stop lamp) is really effective.

The brake light illuminates at the slightest pressure on the pedal.

Rob

Rob King

The brake light switch on the Ys is a very poor design. The Ts used a pressure switch as a solution to the problem with the cable on linkage on the Y type pedal box. My own solution is to fit a modern adjustable switch used on most modern cars that is operated by the pedal arm. I have fabricated a couple of small brackets that are easily accessible under car. Wiring is not affected. Not for the purists, but a simple and foolproof solution to a perennial problem.

M C Bath

Mick, your solution reminds of the '78 mini set-up; simple and effective. Having paid for the hydraulic adaptor, of course I'm going to use it on the YA, but in the event of failure, or as a stop-gap, the micro switch on a clip attached to the brake pedal would seem to be the way to go. Today though, my focus is on re-kitting the TC cylinders and pumping fluid through to see if there is pressure. Then maybe a micro switch ... ! John.
J P Hall

When I bought my YB, the brake light switch was a flimsy plastic thing connected to the brake pedal by a thin spring, which soon broke. I suspect that it was sourced from Maplin or Ebay.

I replaced it with Lucas part No 31382, which is similar to the original, but with a simple pull action, rather than the rotation on the original. I believe that these were used on Series I, II and possibly III Land Rovers and are still available from specialist suppliers, or NOS on Ebay. I had no problem getting 2 NOS on Ebay (1 fitted + 1 spare for about £10, although I have seen them go for much more; it depends who wants one when they are listed. The switch is simply screwed to the underside of the floor and connected to the brake pedal with a suitable heavy spring, easily available for little money. Much simpler than dismantling the brake pipes if anything goes wrong again. I have had no further problem with the brake lights.

With regard to silicone brake fluid, I would advise caution, especially as the US Army, for which it was developed has reservations about it, and may now have ceased using it. I found some data on the various brake fluids a few years ago, which was posted in the Hints and Tips on this site - try:

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/hints&tips.shtml#Brake%20Fluids%20-%20DOT%203,%204,%205%20and%205.1

Mike Long
M Long

This thread was discussed between 11/12/2014 and 17/12/2014

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