Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms (very) Wet Silverstone Weekend!

First time camping for over 7 years, I don't think I've ever had it so wet! However, great to see some fantastic racing, and lots of Mogs at the MSCC pitch; very warm thanks to those who were around to help me try a push start following battery failure, even though it didn't!.
Bizarrely, the battery now appears fine, having been down to 6.2V in the space of a few hours. I can only put it down to dampness through the louvres; that'll teach me to deploy my John Taylor in good time in future!
Appologies for not being able to name check you helpers, my name memory is shocking at the best of times, never mind under duress! Thanks again Phil Cowpland

Phil

Your car has GEMS ignition/fuelling? A common (no very common) cause of the battery flattening is the back voltage through the ignition after switch off (sorry I am no auto electrician, so they will wince at this explanation)

The way to counter this is to fit a warning light into the circuit which warns you that this has happened , and when it does you cycle the ignition on and off again until the light extinguishes.

My car is Hotwire so I have not had to do this, but I ma sure others like Spanner Juggler or Rovert will be along soon to advise exactly where to place the additional wiring to feed the warning light.

Thanks Andy, Yes it is GEMS. I had subsequently searched this forum and come across that as a possible cause- I will delve further. Fortunately it has not been an issue before, but the ignition switch is becoming a little temperamental, so that may contribute to the relay failing to open/sticking closed? at switch off.

Hi Phil

Yes, as Andy explained there have been isolated issues with an item called the 'Combined Relay' (some call it the Mulifunction Relay if your looking for parts) which is part of the GEMS system, its used to energies both the ignition and fuel injector systems. The problem occurs when you switch off the cars ignition, the Combined Relay is supposed to cut supply to the ignition and fuel system and it doesn't, it stays energised (Live).

Hope this is not teaching you to suck eggs but the item your looking for on a UK car is on the bulkhead top, alongside the heater box on the passenger side. Its black plastic and about half the size of a VHS cassette (that's a very crude guide, its been nearly 20 years!).

You will see a few wires entering its base. Now to confirm you have the correct component ask someone to turn on the ignition whilst you have your hand on it, you will feel it click and in a quiet garage you will hear the click. Turn off the ignition and after about 10-20 seconds it will (or rather should) click again as it switches off. The delay is down to the system gathering base settings for things such as the IACV (idle air control valve)... none of that is important now.

OK, you now need to find the output supply to the fuel system (Injector feed), for the life of me I cant recall the wire colour but with a simple 12v test lamp look for the wire that the test lamp is OFF with the ignition off (and the relay has clicked to shut it down) but goes live when you turn the ignition on AND then goes off again after you turn off the ignition and the relay clicks. Sounds complex I am sure but its not if you take it in stages.

This is the wire you need to break into for the warning light feed, I used a spare alarm LED (be aware they have a polarity so only work one way round) and simply wire it in somewhere out of your eye line so it doesn't distract you but you can visually check after you turn off the cars ignition, it should stay lit as I say for about 10-20 seconds then switch off.

This was just about the only issue I had with GEMS and maybe nothing to do with the GEMS itself as it only started after I had the car chipped so could be a fitting issue with the chip set or a software glitch. That car is still running fine today with its current owner and my crude work around is still working perfectly nearly 20 years later.

The real expert on GEMS was a chap called David Ashley-Pool who worked out the whole system and he came up with a much better fix using a small relay to supply the Combined Relay but I had already fitted my warning light by then, David saw my work on a trip when he came to stay with us and laughed his head off, typical bloody mechanic was his comment..... David was a Top of the tree test pilot on Harriers and other fast jets..... Top guy!

Hope that helps

BR
Colin

Sorry Phil, real egg sucking this time as I read through what I typed, you run one side of the LED to the fuel Injector supply wire you have broken into and the other side of the LED to earth.

Great event this year albeit a "bit" wet at times.

Over 60 Morgans in the club parking area and nice to meet up with members from other centres.

I'm always amazed how hard the drivers push these historic racing cars, some of which must have been a real handful in the wet.

Nice un-bodied Plus Four (or was it a Six) on the Allon White stand. I don't fancy DIY servicing one of these things.

Both the National and International paddocks were open to visit which, with all the racing, 120 car clubs and about 90 trade stands made for a very busy weekend.

Can't wait till next time.

Thanks Colin- I like a simple work around and LED's and buzzers fit my level of KISS engineering! I'll archive your clear description for future if it becomes a problem. Thinking through, I have had some issues with a (now removed) DisCarNect on the negaative pole, blowing its fuse on ignition turn, indicating it wasnt making a good earth connectioin, and my fiddling with it may have inadvertently loosened the thread in pole-post. I havent had any repeat issues with charge retention- inspite of leaving the lights on for half a day (albeit with full LED side and number plate lighting). Charge levels seem fine, and the alternator checked out ok as well. Fingers crossed that there won't be any long term issues to the battery following the charge depletion, as the best value replacement I can find is a paltry £140.00

Glad you managed to get it started hope you had a good run home... I managed to avoid all wet weather as soon as I left Silverstone

Thanks, managed a dryish midnight run home Saturday night, to collect the estate and get back Sunday morning, so I could de-camp in the rain!