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Aug 24th, 2023
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Joined: Jun 2014
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L - Learner Plates On
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OP
L - Learner Plates On
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 188 |
Gents, the security light on the dashboard that normally flashes every 2 or 3 secs is now on all the time.
Is this a sign that says the battery is finished ? I am sure its the original battery, so that makes it 18 yers old.
The lights don't work so the battery is flat which is odd because i used the car yesterday no problem.
Could it be the alternator?
Should i put the trickle charger on as a first step to see if it holds a charge?
Any thoughts gratefully read and received?
PS: Is there a preferred replacement that i should purchase?.
Paul
2004 Silver Roadster S1
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Member of the Inner Circle
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Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26,749 Likes: 419 |
It is good going 18 years . 7 is more the norm are you sure it is the original ? Modern batteries die quickly so it could be the cause but why is the light on. Do the headlights etc work? If yes then it could be the relays. Mine failed in the wet and I remember the ecu is driven via the starter relay
JohnV6
2022 CX Plus Four
2025 MG ZS EV aka Trigger
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Joined: Feb 2016
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Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 7,928 Likes: 218 |
Start by replacing the battery Paul, a known brand of the same or greater amp hour capacity, same dimensions, terminals and orientation. Your present one sounds well past it's sell by date. Ensure new battery is fully charged then start fault finding, if necessary.
ETA: LED lights particularly small warning ones work over a wide voltage range. It could explain therefore why it's illuminated when surrounding electrics and maybe ECU have thrown in the towel.
Last edited by RichardV6; 06/08/21 08:50 AM.
Richard
2018 Roadster 3.7
1966 Land Rover S2a 88
2024 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450
1945 Guzzi Airone
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Joined: Jun 2015
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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As the flashing red light is now continuously on, I would suspect a fault may have developed. It would seem strange for it to be illuminated just because the battery is flat, indeed one would expect it to be off totally.
Agree a new battery is desirable BUT when ready to connect it, I would place an ammeter/multimeter between the battery terminal post and the connection cable to see if there is any excessively constant drain current. Otherwise, your new battery also might be flat in a few days!
Someone on here may be able to advise what a typical drain current is for your car, so that you have something to compare with.
Doug
2011 Plus 4 in Rich Maroon
1972 750 “ComDom” sprinter
1958 Triton 650
1992 Triumph Trophy 900
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Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
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Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
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Don't go looking for a fault until you've replaced the battery. As John said, a battery can be fine today and dead tomorrow. When you get the old one out, it will have a date code somewhere. My Roadster battery went 13 years, then failed in the garage.
DaveW
'05 Red Roadster S1
'16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
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Joined: Feb 2016
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Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 7,928 Likes: 218 |
Don't go looking for a fault until you've replaced the battery. As John said, a battery can be fine today and dead tomorrow. When you get the old one out, it will have a date code somewhere. My Roadster battery went 13 years, then failed in the garage. +1 
Richard
2018 Roadster 3.7
1966 Land Rover S2a 88
2024 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450
1945 Guzzi Airone
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 9,285 Likes: 69
Needs to Get Out More!
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Needs to Get Out More!
Joined: May 2010
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18 years is exceptional life! Try a recharge and see what happens. Can you start the car? Are the lights dim?
At that age it has likely gone to the great battery land in the sky.
My guess is a new one needed.
Plus Four MY23 Furka Rouge
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Joined: May 2014
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Black Rat Charter Member
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Black Rat Charter Member
Joined: May 2014
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Gents, the security light on the dashboard that normally flashes every 2 or 3 secs is now on all the time.
Is this a sign that says the battery is finished ? I am sure its the original battery, so that makes it 18 yers old.
The lights don't work so the battery is flat which is odd because i used the car yesterday no problem.
Could it be the alternator?
Should i put the trickle charger on as a first step to see if it holds a charge?
Any thoughts gratefully read and received?
PS: Is there a preferred replacement that i should purchase?.
That happened to me, it was because the battery was flat I had left the dash cam plugged in for a couple of weeks. Charged the battery and the light flashes again.
Keith
2013 narrow bodied + 4 Ruby.
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