Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Earthing Issues

My 1992 4/4 has had 2 electrical problems since I bought it last June.
1. Failed to start - diagnosed as poor earth so cured by cleaning and re-making the battery-chassis and engine-chassis contact points.
2. both rear flashers intermittently failing - cured by replacing the original earth connections with new. Originals were pop rivetted connectors on the earth wire inside the back plate of the light fitting and were badly tarnished - new ones are bolted connections. Due to tight wire lengths one was simply cut while the other allowed drilling out. Hopefully the new ones are now easier to maintain as bolts are removeable.
I think the age of the car has led to these earth problems.
I don't think the 2 previous owners were the "get my hands dirty" type !
I am slowly taking off and cleaning/rust preventing/repainting parts to get rid of old age cosmetics!
Its a pleasurable job too. Thats what I expected with the car and spending time on the car is a part of the ownership package in my opinion.
It makes the car an even more enjoyable drive, knowing the little thinga that I have done.
A bit like tying your own flies then catching fish with them! The fish are bigger and tastier!
It's not my aim to get it to concours standard, just to keep it in good condition to enjoy driving it.

The essence of Morgan ownership

Cheers,

I hope to prevent earthing problems by running separate earth wires from the chassis to the bulkhead earth point, and the various light assys.especially the side lights.
Time will tell!
phil b