Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Aero 8 Supersports (2011) - annoying issue

As they say: perfect timing.

And damned unusual too.

Dont know if its the slightest bit relevant but I have had the engine dying syndrome on the family car and it turned out to be an exhaust temperature sensor failing.

Hi,

I have had something very similar on a 2004 BMW 645Ci. Eventually it turned out to be the alternator voltage regulator as BMWs are very sensitive to the battery providing exactly the correct output voltage, even to the extent where the alternator output is programmed to increase slightly as the battery ages (that is why on BMWs you have to code a replacement battery to the car). Any fault in the battery voltage causes all sorts of electrical gremlins, the dash on the BMW would light up light a christmas tree with system failure after system failure.

I found that although in the UK the voltage regulator was not sold separately & was part of the alternator, I manage to buy just the voltage regulator in the USA on eBay & had my mechanic fit it. Much more cost effective

Food for thought if it turns out that is the fault

Good luck in sorting it

DeAr All,
Well I have done over another 1000 more miles in the SS and all going well until today when going down a pretty steep hill I lost everything again. However,during my moment of sheer panic I did notice that the radio was still working so would that make the ignition switch the cause of all my stress rather than a earth fault? I must admit I am getting to get pretty hacked off with the car - its now getting back to when it will happen again!!
Thanks
T

If the radio is wired to work with the ignition off, then it seems the problem is in the ignition switched circuit. An auto electrician may be able to trace it.

You need to establish if the ignition switch is getting an uninterrupted supply. If the radio feed is through there then it is.

I would check the connections in the column shroud area. Always a tight fit and prone to dodgy connections in many cars.

Then check the ignition relay. If these check out it gets harder from that point.

Is it possible there is a part of the loom that is chafing somewhere causing an intermittent short circuit? I would be taking a very close look at the grommets where the loom passes through the body panels.

For safety, one might even consider a separate switched live feed to the ECU that could be fed through a length of Aeroquip or similar braided hose to ensure that even if you lose power elsewhere, you won't lose the engine.

Any codes stored in the ecu?

If none at all it would point to loss of electrical power as it will reset the codes.

Thanks for all the responses. The one point that I find hard to understand is that one I have finally stopped and switch off then turn back on the ignition it all fires up ok. If it was say a dodgy earth then maybe it could still be in a "fault" position and not start?
Another quirk on this car compared to the S1 is when you start up all lights, etc show up on the dash ie the headlight full beam, the gauges ramp up and then down etc. Is this a way the car "checks" its systems or is this a possible pointer for the fault issue?
thanks
T

The S4 based Plus 8 does this, it is part of the "system check" process.

If there's an ignition relay it could drop out but re-engage when switched back on.

It could be an internal mechanical fault or a loose connection on the switching side.

But it may be solid state, in which case.......?????