MGB Roadster - Location of Wiper, Fan and Lights switches
Discussion
Dear all
My name is Stefan and I am currently helping one of my friends restoring a 1973 MGB Roadster.
I need some help to identify the correct location of the dashboard switches for the wipers, fan and lights.
The MGB is a right hand drive model.
Is there anyone who can provide a picture with their location please?
Thanks beforehand ... Stefan.
My name is Stefan and I am currently helping one of my friends restoring a 1973 MGB Roadster.
I need some help to identify the correct location of the dashboard switches for the wipers, fan and lights.
The MGB is a right hand drive model.
Is there anyone who can provide a picture with their location please?
Thanks beforehand ... Stefan.
Stefan, Stefan- the others know what's coming next
Sorry I can't help you with the photo, others will be along with the info (I can't fully remember so wont comment)
However this is the very reason I recommend potential and new owners invest £7/8 in a reprint of the original owners Handbook (Ref: 0052)
Here's my usual advice, it's good and undisputed because it's basic and mostly just common sense
Hi, welcome,
my advice to new owners -
Buy an owners Handbook as it tells you so much you need to know as to own, drive, service and maintain your car - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue...
Always have the battery(ies) in good condition and all battery connections and leads clean, secure and protected, same for all electrical wiring and connections
As soon as possible do a full and proper 36,000 miles service only miss out items that you have 100% proof have already been done very recently, including;
g/box and back axle oils
brake and clutch fluids
coolant
dissy cap, rotor arm and leads (buy good quality ones) - http://www.distributordoctor.com/rotor_arms.html
fan belt
For a coolant change drain the whole system - engine block, rad and heater matrix if you can get any of these out to give them a good shake at the same time as flushing and back flushing then all the better - the sequence is flush, back flush, flush, clean, flush, back flush and flush again until the water runs clear, refill with the correct coolant mixture but bear in mind in tap water isn’t always the best water to use
Also change the rubber coolant hoses to silicone when you get the chance as new rubber ones tend to be poor quality now- http://www.classicsiliconehoses.com/
Be aware that brand new parts can sometimes be faulty, especially electrical bits (see just above) so don’t discount them when problem solving just because they are new, buy good quality parts
Check the age of your tyres if they are 6 years old or more replace ASAP regardless of tread depth, this will improve the braking, steering, ride, handling and possibly noise and safety of the car greatly
Use the car regularly - to get used to it, sort out any wrinkles and prevent the problems that occur with lack of use, and to enjoy it
Every few weeks check your horn, wipers and all switches work and heater valve turns on and off (all no problem if you use the car regularly)
Follow regular checks, servicing and maintenance as per owners Handbook
Drive in all weathers the car was designed to do this and you'll learn more from doing this
Do not do any cosmetic or improvement work for at least 12 months of regular use, unless you need to replace parts or components, as you may need to use the money elsewhere on the car
Also very useful, you can get suppliers catalogues for free to get you started to see where things go but in my personal opinion they’re not as good as a paper copy like - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue... (sorry not available new for '73 B)
Cheers, enjoy your car
Sorry I can't help you with the photo, others will be along with the info (I can't fully remember so wont comment)
However this is the very reason I recommend potential and new owners invest £7/8 in a reprint of the original owners Handbook (Ref: 0052)
Here's my usual advice, it's good and undisputed because it's basic and mostly just common sense
Hi, welcome,
my advice to new owners -
Buy an owners Handbook as it tells you so much you need to know as to own, drive, service and maintain your car - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue...
Always have the battery(ies) in good condition and all battery connections and leads clean, secure and protected, same for all electrical wiring and connections
As soon as possible do a full and proper 36,000 miles service only miss out items that you have 100% proof have already been done very recently, including;
g/box and back axle oils
brake and clutch fluids
coolant
dissy cap, rotor arm and leads (buy good quality ones) - http://www.distributordoctor.com/rotor_arms.html
fan belt
For a coolant change drain the whole system - engine block, rad and heater matrix if you can get any of these out to give them a good shake at the same time as flushing and back flushing then all the better - the sequence is flush, back flush, flush, clean, flush, back flush and flush again until the water runs clear, refill with the correct coolant mixture but bear in mind in tap water isn’t always the best water to use
Also change the rubber coolant hoses to silicone when you get the chance as new rubber ones tend to be poor quality now- http://www.classicsiliconehoses.com/
Be aware that brand new parts can sometimes be faulty, especially electrical bits (see just above) so don’t discount them when problem solving just because they are new, buy good quality parts
Check the age of your tyres if they are 6 years old or more replace ASAP regardless of tread depth, this will improve the braking, steering, ride, handling and possibly noise and safety of the car greatly
Use the car regularly - to get used to it, sort out any wrinkles and prevent the problems that occur with lack of use, and to enjoy it
Every few weeks check your horn, wipers and all switches work and heater valve turns on and off (all no problem if you use the car regularly)
Follow regular checks, servicing and maintenance as per owners Handbook
Drive in all weathers the car was designed to do this and you'll learn more from doing this
Do not do any cosmetic or improvement work for at least 12 months of regular use, unless you need to replace parts or components, as you may need to use the money elsewhere on the car
Also very useful, you can get suppliers catalogues for free to get you started to see where things go but in my personal opinion they’re not as good as a paper copy like - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue... (sorry not available new for '73 B)
Cheers, enjoy your car
Edited by na on Thursday 5th May 15:37
Not sure if it's any help, but on my 77 the wipers are on the left hand stalk (columm control) as are the washer. Headlights/sidelights are on the steering columm left hand side behind the steering wheel, while dip/main and indicators are on the right hand side stalk.
The heater fan is in the middle of the dash 2nd or 3rd from the driver.
The heater fan is in the middle of the dash 2nd or 3rd from the driver.
Excellent of DM to put up a photo
No offence meant DM but as you say it’s not quite as standard
Unless my memory has completely gone (which is possible) - the screen wash was wasn’t on an electric switch or pump, it was a manual push vacuum sort that was possibly located where you have the start switch
I don't think any Bs had push button starter switches as standard, they'd have been from turn keys
I think a 1973 car would have a column steering lock so the ignition key and switch would be on the steering column (my ’73 BGT was certainly like that)
If someone has the relevant owners Handbook they could scan the page and post it but for an investment of £7 or £8 Stefan buying a copy will pay you back many times over especially when the car is running
No offence meant DM but as you say it’s not quite as standard
Unless my memory has completely gone (which is possible) - the screen wash was wasn’t on an electric switch or pump, it was a manual push vacuum sort that was possibly located where you have the start switch
I don't think any Bs had push button starter switches as standard, they'd have been from turn keys
I think a 1973 car would have a column steering lock so the ignition key and switch would be on the steering column (my ’73 BGT was certainly like that)
If someone has the relevant owners Handbook they could scan the page and post it but for an investment of £7 or £8 Stefan buying a copy will pay you back many times over especially when the car is running
No offence taken. My car has clearly evolved over the years to be more usable and it has various things which although car is very scruffy (which I like... I am RattyBGT everywhere else!) it is totally practical.
Yep the washers would have been squishy push button, but is now electric. The start button has taken the place of the hole which was there when I bought it because the previous owner removed the original ignition key tumbler (leaving a big hole... nice) and fitted a steering column lock which was sensible. I like starter buttons, so raided Maplin (I got a load of matching toggle switches too as it had a very random assortment when I got it (Have you ever tried rejigging a 3 position switch to work a two speed wiper and still self return? tricky, but I did it.
). I had to turn a brass collar up on a lathe to stop it falling through the hole.
The radio is cool too. Integrated sat-nav which needed a handbrake signal (simple enough) and vehicle speed sensor... not so, but it works
Annoyingly the modified flip down MG radio blanking plate busted off (I must sort that out!), but makes the radio totally stealth when closed as the speakers live up under dash. Another total PITA job, but well worth it!
The car also runs on 15" Shelby rims so I can use modern tyres, has a brake servo, runs a single 12V battery and an Alternator, Halogen headlights, an unleaded cylinder head and remote central locking, which raises a few eyebrows, as it was cheaper than a matched set of locks!
There's probably more, but I can't remember off hand.
Oh I recently put in the 13" Mountney out of my old mini but through cunning use of the B horn ring I was able to keep the standard boss and horn push which looks properly OEM and won't hack me head off if I have a prang.
Yep the washers would have been squishy push button, but is now electric. The start button has taken the place of the hole which was there when I bought it because the previous owner removed the original ignition key tumbler (leaving a big hole... nice) and fitted a steering column lock which was sensible. I like starter buttons, so raided Maplin (I got a load of matching toggle switches too as it had a very random assortment when I got it (Have you ever tried rejigging a 3 position switch to work a two speed wiper and still self return? tricky, but I did it.
). I had to turn a brass collar up on a lathe to stop it falling through the hole.The radio is cool too. Integrated sat-nav which needed a handbrake signal (simple enough) and vehicle speed sensor... not so, but it works
Annoyingly the modified flip down MG radio blanking plate busted off (I must sort that out!), but makes the radio totally stealth when closed as the speakers live up under dash. Another total PITA job, but well worth it!
The car also runs on 15" Shelby rims so I can use modern tyres, has a brake servo, runs a single 12V battery and an Alternator, Halogen headlights, an unleaded cylinder head and remote central locking, which raises a few eyebrows, as it was cheaper than a matched set of locks!
There's probably more, but I can't remember off hand.
Oh I recently put in the 13" Mountney out of my old mini but through cunning use of the B horn ring I was able to keep the standard boss and horn push which looks properly OEM and won't hack me head off if I have a prang.
Edited by danger mouse on Saturday 7th May 15:27
DM I’m not adverse to a bit of a ratty look, my mates V8 Westie looks decidedly shabby but goes like excrement off a digging implement even for a V8 Westie and is ultra reliable despite living uncovered outside all year round with no roof or doors, he had to get the snow out of the footwells and seats last year before driving it
I did wonder about your ignition being on the dash but no signs of swinging keys
So the switch you made momentary then two speeds, very good - only yesterday I had to lubricate the (not very cheap) 25 amps heavy duty momentary toggle switch that I bought less than a year ago as a horn switch
I like the rivet heads around the radio facia, though I’m not personally a fan of too bigger road wheels and too smaller steering wheel
You must have a worse memory than mine or don’t use the car often enough to need instructions below the choke
You should do a thread on the PH classic forum, and this one, on your car and post photos too, if for no better reason than to upset the purists but it would also very much help potential and new classic car owners to see what can make the car more useable
My car is uprated/improved/slightly updated to make it reliable, quicker to service and better for everyday and fun use – or as the purists say spoilt/not original and it's certainly not show condition
I did wonder about your ignition being on the dash but no signs of swinging keys
So the switch you made momentary then two speeds, very good - only yesterday I had to lubricate the (not very cheap) 25 amps heavy duty momentary toggle switch that I bought less than a year ago as a horn switch
I like the rivet heads around the radio facia, though I’m not personally a fan of too bigger road wheels and too smaller steering wheel
You must have a worse memory than mine or don’t use the car often enough to need instructions below the choke
You should do a thread on the PH classic forum, and this one, on your car and post photos too, if for no better reason than to upset the purists but it would also very much help potential and new classic car owners to see what can make the car more useable
My car is uprated/improved/slightly updated to make it reliable, quicker to service and better for everyday and fun use – or as the purists say spoilt/not original and it's certainly not show condition
Edited by na on Saturday 7th May 17:58
Edited by na on Saturday 7th May 18:00
Stefan,
My '74 c/b roadster has the switches in the following position, starting with above the temp/oil gauge, the lights switch. To the left of the choke, the wiper switch, to the left of that the windscreen washer pump. To the left of that was a blank and then the heater blower which was next to the heater controls. The blanked hole on mine was for a fog light switch to be fitted.
HTH
My '74 c/b roadster has the switches in the following position, starting with above the temp/oil gauge, the lights switch. To the left of the choke, the wiper switch, to the left of that the windscreen washer pump. To the left of that was a blank and then the heater blower which was next to the heater controls. The blanked hole on mine was for a fog light switch to be fitted.
HTH
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