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MG MGF Technical - Alarm goes off on it's own??

My MGF 1.8 1997 alarm has been going off on its own the past 2 days at 6.45 every morning. I fitted a new battery about a week and a half ago but the alarm has only just started to go off on its own. Can anyone help or recommend anything?

Many thanks

Swannie
s swann

I had this problem on a 1996 MGF. It turned out to be the micro switches in the door lock. The faulty switches also caused chattering when trying to lock/superlock. The micro switches are poor quality and are not effectively sealed and the contacts corrode. This could also be caused by corrosion of plug/socket contacts at the lock or elsewhere including the ground wire connections plug/skts under the bonnet.
Ken Waring

plz don't post the same question in tech as general, choose one.
Will Munns

Ken, did you clean or replace the switches?
Paul Bevan

I did this, pics on dieters site, but the switch module isn't available seperatly - although dieter did source some microswitches which should be drop in replacements I never got round to fitting them
Will Munns

Paul
I replaced the switches. I bought equivalents with the same footprint, I have no idea if they were oridinal parts. It was some time ago. I got them from either RS or Maplin?? Two are easy but the third has a longish activating shaft and I had to make this up. Still the cost was trivial in comparison to £67 for a new lock plus plug/skt agro. It's worked OK for 2 years plus. Beware the lock springs apart befroe your very eyes and is fun to reassemble.
Ken Waring

I didn't find it very difficult to reassemble.

Did you solder the connections or just push fit like the original?
Are the micros sealed types or did you try to seal the unit (IIRC they used white grease as a seal and it had dried out)
Will Munns

I soldered in the replacements, sealed types. That's the easy bit. I removed the cover plate and the nylon interior gears, levers and springs distributed themselves on the workbench. Not very difficult to reassemble but fun, twice.
Ken Waring

I also have the same problem with the alarm, could someone please tell me how to find dieters site for information on location of offending micro switches?
K Marshall

http://www.mgfcar.de

or more specificly:
http://www.mgfcar.de/door_lock/

The initial split:
http://www.mgfcar.de/door_lock/Will_12.jpg

The electrics:
http://www.mgfcar.de/door_lock/Will_13.jpg
Will Munns

Cheers Will i will take a look at those later and get the old tool box out yet again.
K Marshall

This thread was discussed between 15/04/2005 and 16/04/2005

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