Strion charger #74102 had very rapid LED blinking

Our Strion flashlight quit illuminating. I use it every night when I feed our horse. The past week, the flashlight was not responding when I pushed the button to turn on the light. I had to press the button 2-3 times then the light came on. A couple of evenings ago, it would not turn on at all. And when on the charger, the LED light was flashing rapidly, not the 1-per-second blink when fully charged. I have researched and have not come across the reason for the rapid blinking. I noticed we have options such as: replace the battery, replace the charger, replace the button, or perhaps replace the light bulb. Obviously, each option costs $$$. This flashlight is only one year old.
Does anyone have a good idea what might be going on? Should we try the battery first?

Thank you for any help. And thank you for offering this forum, too!

Have you tried cleaning the contact points?

Many times the rapid blink is saying it's not a good connection happening. Could be a number of reasons like you cited.

But give contact points a little tlc with a clean rag and see if that helps.

If that don't work contact Streamlight. Rumor has it they are very helpful.