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MGB Ignition Feedback

The 1977 MGB model had an issue where the engine would continue running for several seconds after turning the key off, which confused many technicians. This was caused by a design of the ignition relay that allowed residual power in the circuit to keep the ignition coil energized after shutting off. In 1978, the wiring was changed to switch the ignition coil power source directly to the ignition switch, solving the problem. The simple fix is to cut one of the white/brown wires on the 1977 fusebox and connect it to the ignition relay, matching the 1978 wiring design.

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237 views3 pages

MGB Ignition Feedback

The 1977 MGB model had an issue where the engine would continue running for several seconds after turning the key off, which confused many technicians. This was caused by a design of the ignition relay that allowed residual power in the circuit to keep the ignition coil energized after shutting off. In 1978, the wiring was changed to switch the ignition coil power source directly to the ignition switch, solving the problem. The simple fix is to cut one of the white/brown wires on the 1977 fusebox and connect it to the ignition relay, matching the 1978 wiring design.

Uploaded by

trouble monkey
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© © All Rights Reserved
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MGB Ignition System Feedback

A problem was introduced to the MGB’s electrcial system in the 1977 Model
Year that has spooked many technicians and car owners over the years. This is
the tendancy for this year car to stay running for several seconds after turning
the key off. This is not the classic “Dieseling” that is caused by hot spots con-
tinuing to burn fuel after shutting off the ignition, rather it is the engine just run-
ning normally for a short time after turning the key off, then eventually shutting
off. Over the years because of a misunderstanding of the cause of the problem,
many shops and individual car owners have blamed this on the Lucas alternator,
or other gremlins, and found that by adding an additional diode to the warning
light circuit, this could be prevented. Also many alternator repair shops have
been blamed for poor workmanship if this problem seemed to start after work-
ing on a suspect unit. See figure a:

Fig. a
Diode added to warning light.

Adding diodes, or other means of repair for this are time-consuming, and if not
done properly can cause diagnostic nightmares for the professional that comes
along at a later date. The above example shows this clearly. If the repair shop is
not aware of this added-in component, a faulty diagnosis of a charging system
problem is possible.

The correct repair is actually accomplished in a matter of 5 minutes, and is quite


permanent and visible. A clue can be found in the following two photographs.

Page 1
MGB Ignition System Feedback

Original fuse box and ignition relay layout, 1977 MGB

It is clearly seen in the above photograph that there are three white-
with-brown tracer wires on the fusebox at the second circuit from the
bottom, left side. This is the circuit that feeds the “green” circuit;
(wipers, turn signals, brake lights, and similar “key-on” components).
Notice that the ignition relay on the left has a large white/brown wire in
the center, and a small white wire at the right. The small white wire is
the feed from the ignition switch. The white/brown is the output of the
relay. This relay was installed for one reason only; it would reduce the
load on the ignition switch of the twin electric radiator cooling fans.
That is why this problem started in 1977, the first year of those fans
use. However, this white/brown circuit was also used to supply power
to the ignition coil, and that is where the problem starts. After shutting
off the key, there is enough residual power feedback in this circuit to
keep the relay from de-energizing and the coil stays live. After a few
moments, this is bled off to ground through the alternator, and the relay
shuts off, thus shutting off the engine.

The factory did discover this problem, for in the following year, a sub-
tle wiring change was made which can be seen in the next photograph.

Page 2
MGB Ignition System Feedback

Original fuse box and ignition relay layout, 1978 and on MGB

Now you will notice that the fuse box has only two white/brown wires,
and the third wire has been moved over to the ignition relay where it
has been doubled up with the feed from the ignition switch, as well as
had its color changed to white/no tracer. This has changed the coil sup-
ply source to be the ignition switch itself. This simple and easily ac-
complished change is all it takes to cure this problem.

1977 MGB Fusebox after modification

One of the connectors at the fuse box has two white/brown wires incorpo-
rated in it. Simply cut the smaller of the doubled white/brown wires and
bring it over to the relay, doubling it with the solid white wire. Quick, sim-
ple, painless. Throw away the diodes, and stop blaming Lucas.

Glenn Lenhard
Glenn’s MG Repair
GlennsMG.com
Page 3

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