Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Turn signal lights

Years ago (literally early 70's) Lucas used too make a lamp 'service kit', there was a single and dual contact version. Small fibre disc and a spring, the fibre disc getting wet and failing was a problem back then and nothing's changed. Just a few pence and a clean up of the lamp body would save pounds if they were available today.

I made my own discs from a sheet of black plastic used in home aquarium filter tanks, a bit of a fiddle but about 15 min with a Dremel each was a nice garage job with a coffee and the radio on ;-)

I don't see it particularly as a Lucas, Prince of Darkness, issue. More that Morgan mount them in such a way that there is nothing to retain the brass threaded insert. That they fill up with water may be caused by the light unit (rather than the lens) being inverted when fitted. There is a slot (or there should be) in the base's edge that's there to allow the water to exit.

The same light units fitted in the late 1970s through to 1990s used unplated mild steel inserts that were fixed in position. These rusted thoroughly and meant that a bulb changing exercise was a real pain. I drilled these inserts out and replaced with brass.

Yes, by all means use a bit of tape to stop the insert dislocating. A better solution is to remove a small amount of the chromium plating around the edge of the insert hole with a Swiss file and solder the brass insert in situ.

I did this decades ago on my Morgans and have never had a problem since. I've even modified a few for friends.

I agree with everything and all the various fixes. What I don't agree with is that such a piece of rubish should be manufactured and used on a £50K car in the first place.

What's rubbish about the light unit?

It's the installation that's at fault. That's not the respinsibility of the light unit manufacturer.

Sorry but the wobbly thread inserts, the plastic insulating washer that bends when hot, and the difficulty of inserting screws are not the fault of the manufacturer?

These are units that are at best suitable for a trailer, not for a £50K car. Tradition is great but the Morgan was once a vehicle affordable to anyone, now it is hardly the case and something better is required.

I have changed bulbs in hundreds of similar turn signals that are common on motorcycles and I have never had problems like this.

Apologies but I beg to differ.

Aligning lens screws is a common problem to many light units fitted to old cars and motorcycles.

Ever tried changing the rear bulbs on a Discovery 200 or 300 and suffered cuts to one's wrists and not from a suicide attempt? Tried changing the front sidelight bulbs on a current model Ford Mondeo? These are more serious manufacturer faults.

Yes times move on but electrical problems have become a larger bane to the car owner: Peugeot's that cut out on the outside lane of a motorway (undiagnosable); heat sensitive (Bosch) injector wiring on Land Rover products; the list can go on.

Morgan side lights? A minor matter in the pantheon of Morgan enjoyment.

Morgan side lights ? A minor matter in the pantheon of Morgan enjoyment.
Totally agree!
Miran

I wish you hadn't reminded me of that - even worse when the extra pair of occasional rear seats are fitted...
And due to refitting the bulb holder to the wrong hole in the light unit it was quicker in the end to remove the light unit... Over 90 minutes wasted when I collected the only Disco I ever owned...