2010 V8 Vantage 4.7 - Bonnet Open warning

[Moonhawk]

Wen't in for it's MOT a couple of days back and when I picked it up - this warning popped up.

I have tried opening and closing the bonnet a few times to see if it was just a bad contact and have had a look at the mechanism which seems fine - so it must be the switch.

Thing is - the car isn't really driveable as the wind screen wipers don't seem to operate as long as the warning is active (I got caught in a shower on the way back from the MOT and had to stop until the shower was over and I could see again).

I have had a look to see if I can get to the switch to check for loose wires etc - but I cannot see any way to access it as it's underneath the mechanism and the gap between it and the radiator is very narrow - am I missing something, or is this a "front of the car off" job?

Edited by Moonhawk on Saturday 2nd April 11:30

[Jon39]

Is perhaps your battery old ?

I understand that all kinds of electrical mysteries can occur, when the battery voltage drops.

[Moonhawk]

It's possible - it has been sat up mostly unused since Christmas. We did go for a longish drive last weekend (about 50 miles) - but other than that, the only place it has been is for it's MOT.

Would putting it on charge help?

Edited by Moonhawk on Saturday 2nd April 14:14

[Jon39]

Moonhawk said:

It's possible - it has been sat up mostly unused since Christmas. We did go for a longish drive last weekend (about 50 miles) - but other than that, the only place it has been is for it's MOT.

Would putting it on charge help?

Certainly worth a try.

Do you know your battery age ?

Sometimes they can last a surprisingly long time, but when still perfect after 8 years, I consider myself lucky and have a new one fitted. Have read on here, cannot open the doors etc.. In the old days, you could push start a car with a flat battery, but that 'way out' is no more. I don't expect you had half a potato with you, when your wipers failed. A few of the old remedies still work.

[Moonhawk]

Jon39 said:

Certainly worth a try.

Do you know your battery age ?

Sometimes they can last a surprisingly long time, but when still perfect after 8 years, I consider myself lucky and have a new one fitted. Have read on here, cannot open the doors etc.. In the old days, you could push start a car with a flat battery, but that 'way out' is no more. I don't expect you had half a potato with you, when your wipers failed. A few of the old remedies still work.

I don't think it has been changed since we have owned the car (9 years). It did discharge once a year or so back due to lack of use - but I managed to charge it up and haven't had any real issues since - perhaps I goosed it.

[Moonhawk]

Well - I charged the battery and the error has gone away and the wipers are working again.

Might get the battery changed at the next service.

Thanks for your advice

Edited by Moonhawk on Saturday 2nd April 18:20

[Jon39]

Moonhawk said:

Well - I charged the battery and the error has gone away and the wipers are working again.

Might get the battery changed at the next service.

Thanks for your advice

You are very welcome.
A lucky guess on my part, but glad that it worked.

[BiggaJ]

It's worth keeping your car on a trickle charger, it only works when it senses the battery needs a top up and keeps it in tip top condition.

They are inexpensive and in my book worth their weight in gold. So many problems on our cars seem to be attributed to battery low voltage issues it seems madness in not doing so.