Paddles only working changing up

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Terry C
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2017 7:22 pm
MGF Register Region: East Midlands

Paddles only working changing up

Post by Terry C » Sun Jul 16, 2017 7:11 pm

Hello out there. can anyone throw light on why my 2002 TF step-speed in sport mode only changes up when using the paddles or more to the point will not change down?

Cheers.
Terry C.

User avatar
Tipper
Posts: 720
Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2008 3:39 pm
MGF Register Region: Devon & Cornwall
Model of Car: RV8 + ZS180
Location: Exeter, Devon, UK

Re: Paddles only working changing up

Post by Tipper » Mon Jul 17, 2017 8:36 pm

Does manual selection via the gear lever work both up and down?

If so then the fault is likely to be just with the paddles and their connection through the steering wheel rotary coupler. If both paddles are faulty then it is almost certainly the rotary coupler.

You should be able to check this out with a multi-meter at a suitably positioned cable connector from the rotary coupler. The gearbox ecu where all the wiring terminates is located in the boot behind the carpet on the LH rear wing.

Terry C
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2017 7:22 pm
MGF Register Region: East Midlands

Re: Paddles only working changing up

Post by Terry C » Sun Jul 23, 2017 11:18 pm

Hi Tipper.
Sorry not to respond sooner, thank you for your thoughts. The manual selection via gear lever all works fine both up and down, also when in this "sport mode" both paddles work but only to change up but neither paddles work to change down.
Do you still think that it could be the rotary coupler & if so is it a DIY job?
I have just restored a Jensen so have mechanical knowledge.
Are they expensive?

User avatar
Tipper
Posts: 720
Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2008 3:39 pm
MGF Register Region: Devon & Cornwall
Model of Car: RV8 + ZS180
Location: Exeter, Devon, UK

Re: Paddles only working changing up

Post by Tipper » Mon Jul 24, 2017 10:44 am

It may be worthwhile checking the connections behind the airbag within the steering wheel first. If they look good then rotary coupler is the most likely. The paddle switches simply go to earth which is sensed by the gearbox ECU.
You will need to remove the airbag, a couple of screws in from the back of the wheel and probably the cowl iirc, and then the whole wheel to get to the coupler. Make sure you get a TF one as other MGR cars (ie ZR/ZS) differ. Remember to discharge the airbag system by disconnecting the car's battery 20 mins before fiddling with the airbag!

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