Switch question

[LarryK]

Anyone seen one of these? Trying to sort out wiring and wondering what this is for...

[locost_bryan]

Doesn't look like a standard switch. Does/did it have any non-standard accessories, such as an aftermarket rear screen demister or fog lights?

These are the standard British wiring colours (which don't look like they match anything connected to the switch)
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/to ... decolours/

Green Accessories fused via ignition switch (subsidiary circuit fuse A4 to hazard switch (terminal 6))
Green Brown Reverse lamp to switch
Green Light Green Hazard flasher unit to hazard pilot lamp
Green White Right-hand flasher lamps
Green Yellow Heater motor to switch, single speed (or to ‘slow’ on two-speed motor)
Green Slate Heater motor to switch (or to ‘fast’ on two-speed motor)
Light Green White Low Air Pressure Warning Light
Light Green Brown Flasher switch to flasher unit ‘L’
Light Green Yellow Flasher switch to right-hand flasher warning light

[Kilroy]

My guess is that this switch was used to operate a 2-speed heater fan motor - either because the car had been upgraded to a 2-speed equipped heater or because the original dashboard switch failed.
Oh.
My reasoning is because this is an either/or switch, and some of the colours agree.

[LarryK]

Doesn't look like a standard switch. Does/did it have any non-standard accessories, such as an aftermarket rear screen demister or fog lights?

These are the standard British wiring colours (which don't look like they match anything connected to the switch)
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/to ... decolours/

Green Accessories fused via ignition switch (subsidiary circuit fuse A4 to hazard switch (terminal 6))
Green Brown Reverse lamp to switch
Green Light Green Hazard flasher unit to hazard pilot lamp
Green White Right-hand flasher lamps
Green Yellow Heater motor to switch, single speed (or to ‘slow’ on two-speed motor)
Green Slate Heater motor to switch (or to ‘fast’ on two-speed motor)
Light Green White Low Air Pressure Warning Light
Light Green Brown Flasher switch to flasher unit ‘L’
Light Green Yellow Flasher switch to right-hand flasher warning light

I don't think there are any aftermarket accessories, but it's possible a previous owner installed the switch in the hole whether the seatbelt warning light was in the dash, because that was wired under the dash...

[Kilroy]

Seatbelt warning light..?
Must be the super deluxe model...

[david painter]

The switch was a aftermarket accessory of the period, they bought in several colours and the idea was the illuminated when switched on the whole toggle as supposed to light up. As to what it does the bit of wire shown look more factory that aftermarket.
Dave

[Kilroy]

Ah. That explains why it has a 'ground' terminal.
So my idea that it is a changeover switch appears wrong.
Perhaps tracing the wire would be the only guaranteed answer.

[IVOR DENNEY]

Its like DAVID says its an aftermarket switch where the toggle lit up when switched on ,they were about in the 80,s usually for spot lamps or for heated rear window,

[locost_bryan]

Seatbelt warning light..?
Must be the super deluxe model...

Seatbelt warning lights were included in safety regs in Australia and the US in the early/mid 70s. My dad's 73 Falcon had one that lit up briefly when you turned on the ignition.

As an interim measure, NHTSA mandated that all model year (MY) 1974 passenger vehicles be equipped with an ignition interlock that prevented the engine from starting if any front-seat occupant was not buckled up. For a variety of reasons, including belt comfort, sensor accuracy, and public acceptance, the ignition interlock requirement met with strong opposition. Congress promptly enacted legislation prohibiting NHTSA from requiring either ignition interlocks or continuous buzzer warnings of more than 8 seconds. NHTSA then implemented a sole requirement of a 4- to 8-second warning light and buzzer that is activated when front seat belts are not fastened at the time of ignition.

[IVOR DENNEY]

I have got seat belt warning lights in my TC the same as the us models where a warning light on the dash flashes until you put on your seat belt then if a front seat passenger gets in it flashes until they put on the seat belt . But there are no other switches just the ones inside the seat belts

[Kilroy]

So do I take it the original poster resides in Australia.?
The forum does not provide much info about the poster.

[balmy]

So do I take it the original poster resides in Australia.?
The forum does not provide much info about the poster.

He’s in Canada.

[LarryK]

So do I take it the original poster resides in Australia.?
The forum does not provide much info about the poster.

No, I'm in Canada... I've just added that to my profile (I think). The seatbelt buzzer/timer was added to North American MGBs, Midgets and Marinas for 1974, according to a TSB I located the other day. I gather they were not popular and many owners subsequently removed or disabled them.

[Kilroy]

Cheers Larry.
Don't hear much about Morris in Canada or America, presumably went there in small numbers.
Be a rare car to own I guess, and getting to be that way everywhere now.
Best luck.

[LarryK]

Cheers Larry.
Don't hear much about Morris in Canada or America, presumably went there in small numbers.
Be a rare car to own I guess, and getting to be that way everywhere now.
Best luck.

They were not a resounding success and few of them survive. The reactions my car gets so far range from vague memories to complete unfamiliarity... I'm fortunate to have a local garage where the mechanics are familiar with more popular stuff like Land Rovers and MGs.