MG MG ZS (2001 - 2005) - 03 1.8 Broken electrical supply

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Fri 19 Jun 2009 11:19
03 1.8 Broken electrical supply - jim holland
My son has had starting proplems with this car for sometime but always managed to get it to go eventually. Until yesterday.
He called out the AA and the guy managed to start it but when tying the leads together with a cable tie behind the ignition switch the main wire came off so now he doesn't have any supply at all now. He could then do nothing about it so had to leave it.

I'm going over to see if I can make the connection good in any way possible. Is it a soldered connection or possibly a spade connector into the switch?

I suppose it's likely he may even need a new ignition switch fitted but as he can't move the car we would appreciate any advice please.
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Sat 20 Jun 2009 00:41
03 1.8 Broken electrical supply - Robin the Technician
Hi Jim,
I believe these joints are soldered so re-soldering should be possible. Alternatively you could change the ignition switch harness. If you look at the switch you should find around the base 3 small screws - remove these and the electric switch part can be removed. It will help with the soldering or to replace it. You may be able to source one from a Rover parts distributor or from a breakers.

Hope this helps...

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Sat 20 Jun 2009 17:09
03 1.8 Broken electrical supply - jim holland
Thanks Robin

When I got there and son told me in more detail how it happened (don't they always???!!!) I had an awful feeling something more serious has occurred. I know little about CPUs but had one busted some years ago by a mobile mechanic trying to start my Golf when connecting the jump leads.

Is it possible that while trying to tie up the cables with the supply still on the intermittent connection has damaged the unit?
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Sun 21 Jun 2009 00:22
03 1.8 Broken electrical supply - Robin the Technician
Hi Jim,
It's unlikely to have caused any problems - the only way to find out for sure is to effect a temporary repair and see if it starts and runs properly. Best of luck!

Hope this helps.

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Mon 22 Jun 2009 01:26
03 1.8 Broken electrical supply - jim holland
Sorry for delay. Thanks again Robin. No joy with it I'm afraid so its going to be transported to an auto electrics garage on Monday.
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