The MGF Register Forums

Hi All,

so my X 2000 MGF has the EPAS warning light permanently on and therefore no power steering. I check the 40A fuse which is fine with no sign of corrosion. During my fault finding mission fuse #12 needed replacing for he boot light and radio which also failed but not at the same time. I have replaced the battery as some other forums said it could be voltage related.
Any other advice please as I've reached my DIY limit probably?!
Thank you

A 2000 MGF should have an electronic speedo (electronic display for odo/trip) rather than the earlier mechanical type. This is a common problem on earlier cars as the mechanical cable snaps as it enters the gearbox drive.

Yours, being electronic, will have a different problem. I'd start by checking that the electronic sender on the gearbox (it's on top of the gearbox housing, so ideally you need to remove the engine inspection cover to find it) is in place and that the cable is still connected. Then check to see whether the cable is one piece - it's possible that it has suffered an internal wire break (it's 17 years old, so who knows?)

Do you have access to a multi-meter?

Hi Rob,

Many thanks for the response but that sounds way beyond my skill level! Anyone know a reputable garage for MG near me ..Cambridge?
Thanks
Julie
Tried a main dealer for new MG, don't seem terribly competent and flippin expensive

hi Julie, to be honest, removing the access cover and checking the plug on the gearbox is well within the capabilities of an indy garage.. a friendly local place should be able to get that far fairly quickly..

I would do it but too far unfortunately.

John

Spoke to Brown and Gammons who have suggested its the alternator. With a bit of surfing about and thinking about the other things that have been present, funny electrical smell for example, this seems very possible!

Alternator failure eventually gives rise to the ecu shutting down the EPAS to save voltage in the battery . This is the last of many electrical shut-downs/failures on the car.
This usually happens after a whole raft of other items fail, such as speedo, rev counter,ABS (if fitted), etc, and a whole dashboard of fairy lights! You haven't mentioned these and having suffered this on the middle of Dartmoor I doubt it's just the alternator. But willing to be proved wrong!

Common things being common... The Bosch alternator is nowhere near as long-lived as the Marelli Magneti item used on earlier cars (so much for typical German and Italian stereotypes! )

as an aside.. I rebuilt my first alternator this week.. and it works now !

£11.24 !

was a Valeo thing for my camper

Hi and welcome to the forum Julie

This sounds like a job for one of the mobile mechanics.
Might be worth getting them to do a full check of the car.

James