What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
wavering lights mgf - ajsdoc
My other half has an MGF (massive problems with reliability so far). Anyway the latest problem is fluctuation in the brightness of her headlights easily seen when parked against a wall. The dashboard lights also "flicker" at the same frequency as the headlights.

Does anyone know what could be causing this?
wavering lights mgf - eric's son
We had exactly this problem on LDV/Sherpa ambulances when I worked for the London Ambulance Service. They had an inordinate drain on the electric system due to all the lighting & emergency equipment, and had charge management systems fitted with a meter on the dash. We often noticed that at tickover, exactly what you mention would occur, and this was always put down to the lack of capability of the alternator, even if the batteries were brand new. Or so said the mechanical types who looked after them. Only remedy was to rev the nuts off the thing.
So my guess would be a duff alternator. However, having all but nil technical knowledge I might be wrong.
Cheers
Son of E
wavering lights mgf - Andrew Hamilton
I wonder if due to age the leads charging the alternator had increased resistance say due to loose or dirty connectors. This would lead to alternator forcing noticeable peaks of voltage as it tries to keep current constant. Easily checked with a meter. Alternatively a diode on the alternator could be braking down. Again easily checked on a oscilloscope.
I have never had these problems on my LDV200 diesel!
wavering lights mgf - L'escargot
My other half has an MGF (massive problems with reliability so
far). Anyway the latest problem is fluctuation in the brightness
of her headlights easily seen when parked against a wall.
The dashboard lights also "flicker" at the same frequency as the
headlights.
Does anyone know what could be causing this?


Had this on a Peugeot 306 XSi ~ fortunately during its warranty period. In the course of a lengthy investigation my dealer cured the problem, but I think that it was more by luck than judgement. They couldn't tell me what the problem had been so I think that disconnecting and reconnecting numerous things had rectified a dodgy connection. As far as I know they didn't renew any parts.
wavering lights mgf - T Lucas
Had a 96 MGF same prob,changed the alternater,now ok.