Leaving work last Thursday (raining really badly) my cinq had a complete electrical blackout:

engine died, no dash, no radio, no lights .. nothing.

Called a friend to help me push to a safe place & give me a lift.

By the time help arrived I somehow got electricity back and was able to start engine and drive with no issues to a safe place.

Any advice where/what to start checking?

thanks

Water sitting on top of the battery or something? Did any fuses go? Good battery connections?

Chafed through cable under battery tray is a possibility from past experience

check that nut holding battery cable(s) tight to terminal hasn't worked it's way loose....

Thanks for the replies guys,

purf said:

Water sitting on top of the battery or something? Did any fuses go? Good battery connections?

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All fuses OK, connections see below.

bargepower said:

Chafed through cable under battery tray is a possibility from past experience

Click to expand...

will do, thanks

Ravenskull said:

check that nut holding battery cable(s) tight to terminal hasn't worked it's way loose....

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The +ve terminal on battery could have been tighter, but as engine was running and alternator OK, would a loose battery connection that cause engine to stall?

There is two connector under the battery tray, if one of those is lose, you will get absolutely nothing.

From experience water tend to get in and it gets dodgy. Spray some electrical cleaner in it, then it will be ok !

Be careful not to damage the connector!

Hi.
My first post so I hope this works ok!
Have you looked at your ignition switch? It was with another car (non Fiat) but a dodgy ignition switch on the back end of the barrel caused me all sorts of random weirdness and had a habit of self repairing

f1ian said:

Have you looked at your ignition switch?

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Hi f1ian, thanks, but I don't think a ignition switch malfunction would explain a total blackout, including radio (works with engine off) cabin light & hazard lights.

It's been all working flawlessly for a week now, so I presume the cause was the loose battery terminal, combined with a splash of water on the alternator.

If it come again, the next thing to check will be the connector under the battery tray. (thanks ycming for the hint).

Thanks everyone for your help.

Y