Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) 3.9 Plus 8 electrically dead. Help!

After driving a 1600 cvh 4/4 for years I have just acquired a 1992 Plus 8.
Problem is that while driving around with the lights on,full beam, I was getting a little intermittent electrical buzzing from behind the dash. Side lights no problem. All was fine until I switched the engine off, leaving the lights on. (Poor practice I know.) I think I heard a little noise behind the dash as I did so. I then discovered the car is now electrically dead.
Help!
Any ideas ?

If you are competent with a multimeter and are good at dismantling things and putting back together then trace where the power stops behind the dash or at the fuse box and repair that part or connection.

If not get an auto electrician to do his magic.

My first thoughts were the dim-dip module , but that does not make any sense if you were on main beams at the time.

Did the "buzzing noise" sound like electrical shorting? If so it is more than likely a loose connection behind the dash somewhere on the circuits that you were using at the time.

The next thought was the electrical earth which all the dashboard is connected to. This is normally extreme left , or extreme right. It is not unknown for the retaining screw to work loose and that could possibly give the "buzzing" sound.

As Eddie has said , it is question of removing the dash board (drop the column, then undo the two screws at either side) then looking for the right wires, but do check the fuses first.

From memory the headlights are blue/red (main beam) and blue/white (dipped beam), but the poor connection may not be on that circuit, it could be ignition, ecu, fan, etc . Just work through everything methodically.

Doesn't answer the question (sorry) but fill in your location in your profile, access through 'my stuff'.

You never know, someone could be bribed to visit with a multimeter if you offer them tea and biscuits!

My gut reaction is to start with the ignition relay.

Then find the master fuse and check that.

Hi when you say electrically dead do you mean that if you turn the inanities on then you get no movement in the needles on the gauges at all and also no lights etc. If so then the main fuse has blown. My 96 +8 also had a fuse in the main feed behind the seat just along from the battery.

If the main fuse and/or the other one has probably gone and you heard a fizzing/short sound coming from behind the dash then probably you either have a short on one of the terminals behind the dash or as others have said the earth is loose. Alternatively Morgans are known to leak water behind the dash and then this can get on the electrical connection and cause poor circuit which may explain the fizzing sound.

I would check all the main power fuses first and then check the dash for a good earth and then look for water traces or poor connections behind the dash. Before you do anything disconnect the earth lead from the battery. You do not want to go poking around and cause another problem or short something out by accident. Once you have found the problem connect back up and try. A multi meter from your local motor factors is invaluable and will only set you back £10-15.

Good luck

Silly thought, you have not run the battery flat with the lights on?

Not such a silly thought, reminded me that I replaced my battery in the +8 a couple of years ago and after a week it would not start, no lights or anything. the new battery had a dead cell, which the motor factor replaced and then all was fine.

Last year I left sidelights on and drained the battery....
Recharge with ctek and all was fine

There is no master fuse for the +8 of that vintage. with the electrics completely dead (ignition, lights, horn etc.) I would first check the 'red key' isolating switch which should be behind the drivers seat on the kick board in front of the rear axle. Then check the battery and connections to the battery, then the terminal on the starter motor where the thick red wire from the battery connects to a terminal, and here the feed wires are connected that feed power to the fuse box.

Mike Smith