Brake lights staying on. MGf
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Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
Brake lights staying on. MGf
The dash light and the brake lights are staying on. The brake switch is in the contact position when it should be off. Is there a relay in the braking circuit that might explain it?
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Charless
- Posts: 2364
- Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2007 1:52 pm
- MGF Register Region: South Coast
- Model of Car: 96 Mpi, 99 VVC
- Location: Chilbolton
Re: Brake lights staying on. MGf
It is most probably the plunger switch on the pedal which needs resetting. There is plenty of description about the method in the archive.
Re: Brake lights staying on. MGf
The rear brake levers are seized so that they do not pull the cable sufficient to pull the handbrake down.
Geoff.F
Geoff.F
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John SS
- Posts: 493
- Joined: Thu Nov 28, 2013 4:05 pm
- MGF Register Region: Midlands
- Model of Car: 2000 MGF VVC
- Location: Calver Derbyshire
Re: Brake lights staying on. MGf
Wiring through the boot hinge to the boot lid brake light shorting?
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Rob Bell
- Committee Member
- Posts: 14425
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:36 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: MGF 1.8i + MGF Shed!
Re: Brake lights staying on. MGf
Of the suggestions above, the commonest and most likely is the problem that Charles alludes to: the brake light switch. I am not sure what age your MGF is, but the earlier cars use a self-adjusting ratchet switch where the plunger height is set such that the brake lights come on when the brake pedal is depressed.
However, on occasion, the ratchet sticks after a heavy brake application, and the switch plunger height is moved markedly downwards so that the switch is no longer in contact with the brake pedal cam and thus it "thinks" the brake pedal has been depressed!
Easy to reset though. The switch is mounted just above the pedal pivot can can be removed by rotating it. Once removed from the confines of the footwell, just pull the switch plunger sharply out - it'll give and extend. Then replace and marvel at the now normally functioning brake lights!
However, on occasion, the ratchet sticks after a heavy brake application, and the switch plunger height is moved markedly downwards so that the switch is no longer in contact with the brake pedal cam and thus it "thinks" the brake pedal has been depressed!
Easy to reset though. The switch is mounted just above the pedal pivot can can be removed by rotating it. Once removed from the confines of the footwell, just pull the switch plunger sharply out - it'll give and extend. Then replace and marvel at the now normally functioning brake lights!
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Andrew Regens
- Regional Rep
- Posts: 742
- Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 12:10 am
- MGF Register Region: Eastern Australia
- Model of Car: TF160LE80th #15/1600
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Re: Brake lights staying on. MGf
That method sorted my F problem and one of the cheapest fixes!
Piper 4-2-1 Manifold, Daytona Back Box, Stage two Remap, Bilstein Shocks, thicker anti roll bars, PG 1 gearbox Caged bearing with type B Ltd Slip Diff. Large rear brake Kit, Toyo R888R Track/road tyres. Half Roll Cage, 4Point Harness.