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MG TD TF 1500 - TF Map Lights?

Were all export (US) TF's fitted with map lights, as illustrated in the owners manual? I don't recall removing any from above the glove boxes when I dis-assembled my car. Did a PO remove them or did my car not have them? Or, am I just not remembering? Thanks, Lou
L Staller

Lou, the bulbs for the map lights are attached to the long wires on the behind the dash sub harness and plug into the small brackets under the upper curved portion of the padded dash. If you feel around under there, you should find the little brackets. I've owned my TF 42 years and have probably used the lights once. However, I do not drive much at night. Mine work and will be there should I need them. Good luck.

Gary
G B McGovern

I've concluded that my car should have map lights which are to be located just above the 2 glove boxes. The new harness I installed has the red/green wires which will bring power to them. I felt around underside of the cowl where the cowl rubber mounts and located the 2 small brackets where the bulb sockets will snap into. All I have to do is obtain 2 bulb sockets, a couple of bulbs and I'll be ready to roll. Thanks, Lou
L Staller

Lou,

I lopped off the ends from one of my old Mustang projects (dash lights, I think) and they fit perfectly. I'd bet NAPA would have something even better.

Dan
Daniel Nordstrom

Lou
I can help you with the bulb sockets. Email me if interested.

Tom
'54 TF
T Norby

Dan & Tom, I'm planning to go to one of many auto parts stores in the area to see if they have a couple of bulbs and sockets. If not I'm sure there are a few fellow Vintage MG Car Club members that can help me out. Thanks for your input and offer. Lou
L Staller

Lou,

As discussed above,TFs did have two(2) map lights.
If the sockets happen to be not available from a 'new age store',sockets could be procured from an old,disgarded T type wiring harness.

Also,there should be a total of four(4) open ended clips
which support the wiring above the dashboard.The clips
are fastened via the rubber,rexine(vinyl) covered crash roll 1/4 inch BSF studs/nuts.These clips are invariably missing!

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF 3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
R GRANTHAM

I took a broken light socket over to my local independent auto parts store yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to find that they had sockets close to the ones I need for the map lights. When I got home and tried to fit them I found that all I needed to do was to slightly bend the teeth that grab the mounting hole bracket. They are now installed and providing light as they should, which I anticipate I'll never utilize! By the way, the 2 sockets including bulbs cost a whopping $7.00!
Rob, I located the clips you mention in a zip lock bag marked 'map lights' I put away when I dis-assembled the car. And that was just over a year ago! I can't wait to see what's left of my memory in a few more years from now. Ugh!
Lou
L Staller

Lou,

A great re-find! Your labelling, 'Map Lights', gets top marks.

Many of these small detail items can unfortunately easily be disgarded during restoration.

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
R GRANTHAM

This thread was discussed between 30/05/2015 and 03/06/2015

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