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MG MGF Technical - Speedometer and EPAS

Whilst driving along the motorway tonight my speedometer failed, closely followed by the EPAS Warning light in the Instrument Panel illuminating. After exiting the motorway I noticed that in fact the Electronic Power Assisted Steering had also stopped working. I have checked the workshop manual which says the EPAS is reliant on a signal from the road speed indicator to determine the amount of power required for the motor ie less speed more power etc. Can anyone advise me on how easy it is to replace the speedo cable and/or if anyone else has experienced this problem and if fixing the speedo will in fact solve the EPAS problem ?
MARK RADKA

..should have said, model is a 1996 1.8i.
MARK RADKA

>and if fixing the speedo will in fact solve the EPAS problem ?

Yes, the 'speed sensor' is a reed-relay inside the instrument.

The speedo cable contents of two or three pieces. Depends on the VIN of your car. I think yours will be of the last version in three parts.
Rear at the gearbox it's easy to locate seeing down from top left between the ECU box and the black plastic can.
Though, I think the trouble will be almost at the entry to the instrument itself. There is a white coloured nylon clip part which should keep the cable in place. Instrument to be removed.

Anyway, at first I would check the cable connections under the wiper cover in the bonnet and I think the second is at the rear under the car.

Disconnect and try turning the wire inside.

HTH
Dieter
Dieter Koennecke

Mark,

Terry

Dieter,

Thanks for that. It is indeed in 3 parts. I have disconnected the cable at the first joint (under the wiper motor). I turned the cable manually to prove that the speedo instrument itself was still working, turning it clockwise increased the mileage on the dial so I assume the speedo instrument is OK. The 2nd cable I pulled out completely and then re-inserted it. The cable would not turn therefore I assume it was in back OK. It looks like the connection between these 2 cables is just a male/female connection, is that correct, theres no nuts or anything to hold it in place ? I havent yet proved the back end works OK. I assume I can do this by jacking the back nearside wheel and turning it to see if the speedo cable turns.
MARK RADKA

All correct, well done, I think. Go on this way.
As next I would undo the cable direct at the gearbox and tray the same you did already at the front.

No need to jack up the car. The purge valve (black plastic can) can be easy pulled off upwards to get more space for the works from top. Turn off the nut at the cable down at the gearbox but do not undo the hexagon head bolt at the small flange plate.

http://www.mgfcar.de/sales/3839speedot_.jpg
If you need any of the both rear parts as spare and can't get it, then drop me line.
Got this both rear as second hand in my garage. Availiable on monday.

Regards
Dieter
Dieter Koennecke

Well it looks like the fault lies with the device attached/within the gearbox. I disconnected the speedo cable from the gearbox and turned the wire inside, the speedo instrument wound the mileage clock back, proving that the cable is OK all the way from the gearbox to the speedo instrument. I pulled out the long thin plastic housing into which the speedo cable inserts in the gearbox, is it supposed to do this ? It is sort of white plastic with brown stains. I then re-inserted this into its slot, attached the cable to the gearbox and tested the car, problem remains. I take it, it must be the device on the gearbox that is faulty ?
MARK RADKA

Hmm, here end my skills currently.
I recall there was a plastic part. But thats all I remember.

When I dismantled the wreck two years ago I just unbolted the small flange plate instead of the nut. *Had just no gripper to hands* ;).
Then I lifted the metal plate carefully and revised the idea. Could be bad to pull out the obviously there at the end existing small gear parts. Then I got a gripper and pulled the cable out.

Somebody else here with ideas ?
PG1 Gearbox overhaul manual would be good to get 'deeper'.

Anyway, I can look up the parts on monday. I think this is to late for you.
:(

Dieter



Dieter Koennecke

Hi Dieter
Been to your site, like wow you are in deep to this MG thing. I was wondering how come? I mean your own people are good at produceing cars, very good ones so how come your into MG?

Did a British fighter crash into you garden when you where a kid, where does this interest come from?

Never mind, you buy MG, i will buy Honda Type "R"s and i hope the BMW M2 coupe.
Cheers
Mega.
Mega

I am not in a hurry to get this fixed. I took the car out tonight for a spin and it actually seems to handle better without EPAS. Not having the speedo working is of course not too helpful. So if you are able to check the parts that would be helpful.

Thanks,
Mark.
MARK RADKA

Has anybody else got any ideas regarding this ?
MARK RADKA

Mark,

looked for the matter as promised, though I didn't find the cables.

But had a look to my spare gear box.

You wrote
>pulled out the long thin plastic housing into which the speedo cable inserts in the gearbox, is it supposed to do this ? It is sort of white plastic with brown stains. I then re-inserted this into its slot, attached the cable to the gearbox and tested the car, problem remains.

Can't explain better with my simple german-english.
At my 1998 made PG1 it looks like this:
(Didn't dismantle the flange plate)

White plastic with big outer thread. App 12mm high. Speedo cable nut will fit the cable to this plastic body.
In the centre of the plastic is the obviously 'cable driving part with hole for the cable end.
Steel shaft, app 10mm outer diameter looking app 6mm out of the white plastic thread part.

I tried turning the steel shaft, but it was tight. No movement in any direction. I assume at the lower invisible end will be the gear to drive it.

Thats all I spotted. Back home on next weekend then.

BTW drop me as line.
mgf@mgcc.de

Dieter
Dieter Koennecke

Had the same problem, took it into the local garage who informed me that it was the first section that had snapped. Easy to replace although you have to remove the engine cover as it happens. The cable that was at fault ran from the engine and connected to the front part of the speedo cable just next to the radiator pipes at the back of the car. Hopefully this will help, the part is not normally stocked and took about 2 days to get. Mine happens to be a 95 MGF with about 69000 miles on it.
Gary

This thread was discussed between 15/07/2002 and 27/07/2002

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