Technical New electrical problem - complete failure

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Technical New electrical problem - complete failure

BrianMcL

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This is a new one!

It started OK as usual, drove it for about a mile to the cash machine, switched it off, locked it and went to the machine. Unlocked it with the fob, put the key in the ignitio, radio came on. As usual. Dashboard lit up, fuel gauge and temperature gauge went back to their usual positions.

Then I tried to start it. Nothing. Radio, dash, everything completely dead. Left it for a minute. Still nothing.

Opened the bonnet, unplugged the earth lead, waited 10 seconds, reconnected the earth and all was well.

The fiat equivalent of ctrl-alt-del?

Has anyone else had this happen and does anyone have any ideas about what might have caused it?

When I had my power steering problem a few weeks ago the AA man checked the alternator and battery and pronounced both as fine.
 
Hi. Much the same problem with ducato motorhome. Started no problem, then radio, all instruments and indicators failed. Stopped, re-started problem gone. Was told by MH supplier that I had a faulty ignition switch. Week or so later, run MH about 3 miles to work. Went to start but wouldn't fire, all instruments flickering. Started ok after about an our. Was told earth strap was loose. Bought vehicle 6 weeks ago. Got money back yesterday after numerous faults.
 
Sounds like getting rid of it was the right thing to do.

I do wonder if the negative connection might be the problem though. The connection on the battery was tight and clean so I guess it must be the other end of it somewhere.

It did seem very odd - nothing worked at all so I guess it must be something fairly basic although the "hard reset" did the trick.

The battery is the original (ok not quite it took the dealer 4 goes to get the right one but it will be more than 6 years old now) so it's getting on a bit and I was thinking about changing it before winter anyway. Maybe not yet though.
 
Agreed. Found another one yesterday to pick up next week hopefully. Not exactly sure where earth strap terminates to engine, but worth a try. Also found main fuse, bank of three, on the bulkhead behind battery. Mine was loose and hanging tho. Good luck
 
Had this problem with the old Marea estate. Turned out to be the earth strap from the engine to the bodywork. ECU thought the engine must have been removed so no need for starter to work or fuel to be injected with non being in the engine bay. Contrary Mares these ECU`s:)
 
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