Drove the wife's 04 Punto 1.2 last night for 10mins to the local shops. When I came to start it the ignition would not work. Managed to jump start it and get home. In the morning it was completely dead, so I presumed a new battery was needed.
I purchased a new battery and expected the engine to start...nothing, still completely dead, not even a light on the dashboard. I then put on the jump leads and hey presto, it started. Left it running for about 10 mins then switched it off. When I went to turn the ignition key, it was still completely dead. Anyone got a clue what could be wrong before I go to the local garage?

how old is the battery?
is there an aftermarket head unit installed? (different cd player)

The battery is brand new, was told it was charged. The Punto only has a radio.

john47 said:

The battery is brand new, was told it was charged. The Punto only has a radio.

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sorry i completely missed the new battery part

you could try charging it up if that doesn't work then get your alternator tested and make sure that the positive and negative wires are clean of any corrosion, dust and general rubbish

if the alternator tests positive then you might of got a duff battery

if not then there is something in the car thats draining a lot of power

im assuming the car was working fine before this though so i would expect the battery to be duff or not charged up like they said it was

Will get the alternator checked out, but all leads look secure and clean. can't understand why when I turn the ignition no lights appear on the dash and not a sound is heard, seems completely dead. Haven't checked any fuses yet.

Mechanic came to look at car. He jump started it, drove for a few hundred yards before ALL the warning lights came on. Towed away to his workshop.

Got car back this morning. The problem was a badly connected earth, which was shorting out the battery.

ah thats not to bad then