just got 2.4 Croma and found negative battery terminal was loose so undid clamp pushed down tightened clamp and got an almighty flash! Horn or alarm started going off and won't stop even though manual says it only operates for 26 seconds, started car still going and every warning light is on? Any ideas how to solve this problem? Manual useless!

Bill Grunt

At a guess, and I'm no mechanic or engineer, but the gap between the lead and the terminal may have caused a capacitance and popped something in the alternator,? Is there a diode in alternators to change ac to Dc maybe?

I'm mechanical, you must be electrical? What do I do now? Ta for replying.

Bill Grunt

First thing you can do is to remove negative terminal for some time and see if that helps.

Hi Bill,

Sorry to hear of your cars woes - not going to be able to offer any solution myself, but hopefully someone on here will know.

Be good to hear a little more abut your car in general - You may or may not know that FIAT only ever sold 35 of the 2.4s over here and at least 2 of them have bitten the dust. Nice to hear of another one now also owned by a forum member.

Hope you get her sorted soon

35 is that all?

buster said:

35 is that all?

Click to expand...

Yep - originally only 35 registered.....

http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/fiat_croma_p-gio_mjet_jtd200_a#!newreg

and @last quarter 2013 down to 33....

http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/fiat_croma_p-gio_mjet_jtd200_a#!engine

Might be 32 unless someone refurbed Hal's one as that was w/o this year

I`m mechanical too, but sometimes I need to be electrical also.

You need a mechanic to diagnose. Try searching youtube on points on how to check your alternator is behaving itself

When an alternator stops working on a vauxhall car, all the lights on the dash light up like a christmas tree. ABS power steering, the lot..

Hi sorry to hear of your drama,We have a Croma with 150 jtd and the first time the alternator failed it did cause us some Drama and a tow home!. When I diagnosed the alternator I was able to bypass it by disconnecting the alternator power cable at the battery + terminal a thick red cable from the alternator secured by a 12 or 13mm nut, if the battery is charged it may power up your ecu/dash though the ecu might not like starting the engine as it will need more than 11.5volts but might be worth a try if all is well with it by passed then it will need a new or repaired alternator.

So, you get it fixed?