MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGF Technical - Best way to connect the Boot Wires?

To cut a long story short, Superlocking stopped working yesterday, investigated the most likely cause, ( The Boot wiring where it connects into the main wiring loom near the boot hinge to the left ).
After unwrapping the wires discovered that all 5 were now broken through!
So I stripped back the wiring to re-connect them, which was quite difficult because the connection point is quite well hidden in the corner.

2 questions;

1. Should I reconnect the wires with the metal clips which are crimped into place ( I think ) or should I solder these joints and wrap with insulation tape?

2. Is there any way to loosen the wiring loom where it exits into the engine bay so that I can give myself a bit more 'length' to make connection easier?

Any answers / advice from anyone who has done this job would be nuch appreciated.

mike

I initially made a running repair to the wires by soldering extension wires to the "short" ends and using crimp plug/sockets on the boot-lid ends: the end result was very bulky, even when held together with tape. You can extend the wires by unwrapping the section of loom around the main loom.

I had hoped to wire the ends to a single multi-connector, but there was not enough length and soldering these connectors is hard enough without the cramped location!

Sadly the boot-lid light cable was broken elsewhere so I had B&G splice in a new cable (longer than the original) for about GBP50 at the last service.

It is easy to blow the interior light (15A) fuse as the boot-light tries to come on and can short to the body-work or other cables (radio and clock are on this too). Driver's fuse panel, bottom row, 2nd from right.

Graham (Nightfire red W132 UKX)
Graham Berridge

I was going to try to use the multi connector, I think there is a general purpose one which has screws to tighten over the joints?
I assume that the High level Brake light is connected in series with the main rear brake lights, because now the wires are disconnected to the boot wires I have no Brake lights operating!
All others such as rear indicators and rear fogs are still working ok.
mike

>I think there is a general purpose one which has screws to tighten over the joints?
<echo>
Noooooooo
</echo>

Use a crimp or solder connector if you must, but solder extensions are the best solution (unless you can see yourself removing the boot lid occasionaly?)

>I assume that the High level Brake light is connected in series with the main rear brake lights,

nope, you must a popped a fuse .
Will Munns

UPDATE:
Wires reconnected tonight,
Everything now working Okay including Superlocking, only one problem remains.

Brake Lights still not working!

I have replaced the bulbs and fuses to check, with no success. Rear Fogs, Reverse lights, Indicators all work Ok.
I can only think that by 'repairing' the Boot Loom Wires, I have in some way disturbed an already dodgy connection in the wiring loom that controls the Brake lights.
Am I right, or am I missing something?

Mike Doddington

May be you have any problem with earth connection ?
Fold back the boot carpet on the left. The ground joint should be bolted on there.
Just an idea.
Dieter K.

Graham,
Next time you want to pay £50 to splice in a wire, please let me know.

Mike, What was your fix ?? You need to check for power into and out of the brake light switch in the footwell, then the wire runs back to a X 3 splice to the lights.

Does anybody have a source for a 5 or 6 wire Lucar connector ?? My Boot Lid has 4 Holes for the luggage rack. They look horrible. I have bought the right Body colour (Platinium Silver) Lid on E-Bay so need a connector to make them interchangeable.

Thanks All.
Geoff F.
G. Farthing

>source for a 5 or 6 wire Lucar connector

Would recomend sourcing 6 position MOLEX MiniFit, Male, Female and spades. (solder spades availiable IMO)

They are 2rows x3 pos and get used in cars aswell.

http://www.action-electronics.com/molex.htm#Mini

I think some here will know UK based resellers ?
Dieter K.

Try - Merv Plastics, Nottingham - 01159 9305454 I have used them in the past and they have a fascinating catalogue.

Ted
Ted Newman

I think something very similar can be had from Maplins Dieter... I agree: looks like the best solution. :o)
Rob Bell

Thanks for your contributions fellows.

Searched around suppliers on connectors this morning.

Adroit Accessories (www.adroit-accessories.co.uk) are wholesales for all types of connectors and cables.
They are available from LSUK outlets all over the UK. Locations are shown on www.lsuk.co.uk. My nearest is one mile away.

But they are sold in 10 Packs so I will have 8 Spares.

Geoff.F
G. Farthing

Boot wires reconnected, all okay, superlocking all now okay.
The Brake switch located under the brake pedal was the problem with the brake lights.
Switch had blown, I dont know if this was caused by my repair work to the boot wires, but it was ust 5 mins and £10 to replace.
mike

This thread was discussed between 11/06/2004 and 14/06/2004

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGF Technical BBS now