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MG MGF Technical - Mad electrical idea...

Folks,

Over the last while we've seen cigarette-lighter-to-start-button conversions, painted calipers, secret-fuel-pump-cutoff-switches... so here's my mad mad idea of the day.

I might've mentioned in the past that I've a bad back (yeah, and I drive a lowered sports car ;-) Well, one thing that's really awkward/twisty is locking the doors from the inside... y'know, when you're stopped at lights, feeling conspicuous, in the wrong part of town.

So, here's the idea: on a Scenic, there's a handy button in the centre console for engaging/disengaging the central locking; it's even got a wee light to let you know you're locked up tight.

See where I'm going with this? ;-) Any advise as to the viability of this'd much appreciated.

Col the Inventor

PS Question: the central locking will kick in if you lock the driver's door (awkward to reach) but it doesn't kick in if you lock the passenger's (easier to reach, but useless). Is this right?
Colin McIlwaine

IIRC yes.

The drivers door has three microswitches which sense the direction of the key turning (for the imobalizer) and the door pin, simply activating the correct wire should cause the car to decide to lock the passanger door and as thewires are on the same circuit the drives door as well.
Will Munns

Chaps,

Will this actives the motion sensor in the cabin and set off the alarm?

Just a thought.....

Sam
Sam Murray

Well, yes and no. It is not the motion it detects, but it is the motion detector which gets swamped by the radio signal. cutting down the sensitivity will probebly not help.
Will Munns

All the other current range of MGs have this feature too Colin. As Will indicates, it should be pretty easy to do. Good luck - take lots of pictures, and let us know how you did it :o)
Rob Bell

Sorry - RE my last answer - I though this question was in another thread!

NO is the _correct_ answer (for this thread!) - you are just telling the ECU that the door has been locked, it will try and lock the passanger door, but in the process also lock the drivers door
Will Munns

[Will, thanks for clarifying that, I'd maybe a couple too many last night, thought I was losing it for a minute.]

Lads,

Thanks for the info so far... I'm gonna have a crack at this over the Christmas break. Couple of followups though:

Rob, I assume that << All the other current range of MGs >> includs the TF? If so, are they using the 'spare' button locations in the console? Presumably it's a non-locking push-to-make (like the HRS button)? I've had the centre console TFed, so if I could get my mits on a suitably graphiced TF button? Mmm.

It's time to dust off Electic Circuits for Dummies I think ;-)

Photos and step-by-steps to follow (unless I make a total shambles of it).

Just to go completely off topic for a minute... does anyone know offhand (a) the brake fluid capacity on an F (assuming a total flush) and (b) if MGR recommend any particular brand?

Ta,
Col
Colin McIlwaine

Colin, I think that the TF is the exception to the rule unfortunately, unless someone knows to the contrary? Face lift ZR and ZS both have this switch though - although they are the new 'soft membrane' switches, so not the same as those used on our cars.

R75/ZT is different again - but a rather nice oval switch...

Sorry not sure what volume of brake fluid is required for a brake line flush. :o( DOT4 is specified for use, although if you like your driving, then DOT5.1 comes highly recommended :o)
Rob Bell

But NOT "dot 5"
Will Munns

Hi,

In my F, if I lower the driver door pin while driving, it closes both door and I never noticed it starts the alarm. So, actually it may works.

Cyrille
Cyrille

This thread was discussed between 02/12/2004 and 06/12/2004

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