Have a problem and wondering if anyone can help? I know ultimately I need to take it to a dealership/garage but didnt want to walk in not knowing anything!

Went to go out today and my car wouldnt start, absolutely nothing no igntion. or anything. Jumped the car as assumed it was the battery (but its only 4 months old) and the car started, but it had airbag failure, abs failure, power steering failure and sounded really laboured.

After 5 minutes the engine cut out and everything went off, nothing again. Jumped it again and the same happened, even the electric windows were going slow.

Given the age of the battery, suspicion falls upon the alternator. This can checked by a garage quite easily.

If you do need a new one, be aware that some people have experienced problems with non-genuine ones.

Also check that the scuttle drain is not discharging onto the alternator. There is a modified rubber tube available from fiat which re-directs the water away from the alternator.

Oh, nearly forgot. If alternator ok, check earth straps from engine/gearbox to chassis. They corrode internally, the resistance goes up and you get electrical problems.

:yeahthat:


stick a jump lead onto the NEGATIVE (make 100%sure its the NEGATIVE not positive) of your battery and the other end onto a clean bright bit of the engine or gear box.....

does the car then run?

if not clip to chassis of the car such as the wheel bolt or screw in the front towing eye very tightly so it bits into any paint in the screw hole and makes a good contact and clip it to that then the other jump lead to the toweye and to the gear box


NEVER Connect the live to the car body/ engine it will put a dead short on the battery and it could explode

ok, so i just put the jump lead onto the negative and to a bit of engine, and when i turned on the ignition the dials started jumping and warning lights were flashing on/off rapidly and i ehad a clicking noise from something close to the bulkhead.

does thins ring any bells?

Yes sounds like the battery is flat

Either the battery is dead the alternator or the earth strap. Without a good connection between the alternator and battery ie the earth strap it won't be able to charge the battery.....
Ideally take the battery off the car and charge it and try again

The clicking noise will have been the starter motor solenoid or the protection relay

Jumping dials will be the low voltage confusing the body computer.

Yeah, have just put the battery on charge and its as dead as it can get. Its obviously either the strap or the alternator because the battery is brand new, so I will have to check those. Cheers for all your help.

Any chance you know where the strap is located so that I can eliminate that fault first?

blitzeh said:

Yeah, have just put the battery on charge and its as dead as it can get. Its obviously either the strap or the alternator because the battery is brand new, so I will have to check those. Cheers for all your help.

Any chance you know where the strap is located so that I can eliminate that fault first?

Click to expand...

it goes from the battery quick release negative terminal down to the passenger side chassis leg then down onto the gear box....



gear box




chassis leg