Two factory horns are fitted to the MGF and MG TF, a low-note and a high-note horn, catalogued individually along with their mounting screws. These are the standard two-tone horn pair producing the factory sound. Two uprated alternatives are catalogued: the Double Monza air horns (two trumpets) and the Triple Targa air horns (three trumpets), both producing a louder, more distinctive sound for owners wanting stronger audible presence. Air horns require slightly different wiring than the standard horns because of their higher current draw, a relay retrofit is typically the correct approach.
Fascia Switches, Change at XD511058/XD511059
Six fascia switch positions changed specification at VIN XD511058/XD511059, coinciding with the MGF Mk1/Mk2 facelift that also changed the instrument cluster and headlamps. Pre-XD511058 switches carry a PMA suffix denoting the original finish; post-XD511059 switches carry a PMP suffix denoting the revised finish. The switch positions covered by this change are: front fog lights, rear fog lights, heated rear window (with the later switch working for both hard top and hood, the earlier was hard-top-specific), air conditioning, air recirculating, and electric window lift. Also catalogued: the hazard warning switch (single specification across production), door mirror adjustment switch, thumbwheel panel illumination control, cigar lighter assembly with pop-out unit, and fascia blanking plugs in pre- and post-XD511058 finishes for unused switch positions.
Column Switches, Three Production Generations
The steering column switches evolved through three distinct generations. Pre-XD508929 MGFs use the earliest specification: a column switch assembly, a wash/wipe stalk, and a lighting/indicator/dip stalk, each catalogued individually. From VIN XD508930 through MG TF VIN 5D639630, a revised specification with different finish and slightly different function covers the majority of production. From MG TF VIN 5D639631 (the MY2005 models), a third specification carries through to the end of production.
The catalogue note is explicit: early MGF column switches can be replaced with the later MGF/early MG TF specification as a direct fit, but the finish differs between generations, so replacing both stalks at the same time is advised to avoid a mismatched appearance. The column switch housing and the indicator self-cancelling cam are catalogued individually.
Rotary Coupling, The Steering Column Clock Spring
The rotary coupling maintains the electrical connection between the steering column and the steering wheel as the wheel rotates through its full travel, effectively a wound-up flat cable that spirals with the steering action. It carries the driver's airbag signal, the horn push signal, and on later cars the cruise control or audio-remote signals where fitted. A failed rotary coupling produces an SRS warning light on the dashboard (indicating airbag circuit fault), loss of horn operation, and loss of any steering-wheel-mounted switch function.
Replacement is a moderate-complexity task requiring airbag disarming and correct centring of the new coupling on reassembly, a specialist job rather than a DIY task.
Steering Lock and Ignition Switch
The steering lock and ignition switch assembly is catalogued in four variants covering RHD and LHD cars with either a non-specific key number (a new pair of keys issued with the lock) or a customer-matched key number (the lock is cut to the customer's existing key number, avoiding key proliferation and allowing use of the car's original keys). Customer-matched ordering requires the existing key number to be provided to MGOC Spares at order time. Both variants are supplied with two shear bolts, the bolts deliberately break off at installation torque to prevent easy removal, a standard anti-theft measure. Blank replacement keys are catalogued for owners cutting spare keys to an existing number.
Brake Light Switch and Other Switch Positions
The brake light switch changed specification at MGF VIN YD514325, matching the brake pedal assembly production breakpoint covered on the Brake & Clutch Pedals page. The pre-YD514325 switch is a dedicated MGF variant; from YD514326 onwards the switch is common between MGF and MG TF and shared with RV8. A glovebox lamp switch is catalogued individually, along with the dual-function door and bonnet contact switches (×4 per car) that serve both the alarm system and the courtesy lights, also covered on the Airbag & Alarm page for the alarm function.