Technical Some kind of electrical fault?

[tessiedog]

Hi folks
Latest in what seems like a constant stream of faults with my ageing Stilo (1.4 16v), but this time something which has put her off the road.
Changed the dipped bulb on the passenger side, usual method for me - remove battery, loosen off the battery box so that it can be moved a bit to get into the bulb etc, changed bulb, put it all back together again and then... ...... won't start. Starter turns engine fine, but no sign of even wanting to fire up and also nothing else electrical works including no lights, nothing on the dashboard, nothing. Only other thing happening is constant high pitch noise and intermittent clickety click noise which seems to be coming from the ecu - this even when the key's not even in the ignition.
Any ideas at all?
Tia.

 

[g8rpi]

Hi @tessiedog,
Most likely cause is you have broken an already weak connection when removing the battery. the chassis "earth connection is most likely. Try connecting a jump lead from battery negative to the chassis /body - NOT the engine. If that fixes it check earth cables. If it doesn't carefully check all the cables (and fuses if there are any) on the positive connection. Check all the visible length, not just the battery end.

Robert G8RPI.

 

[tessiedog]

Hi @tessiedog,
Most likely cause is you have broken an already weak connection when removing the battery. the chassis "earth connection is most likely. Try connecting a jump lead from battery negative to the chassis /body - NOT the engine. If that fixes it check earth cables. If it doesn't carefully check all the cables (and fuses if there are any) on the positive connection. Check all the visible length, not just the battery end.

Robert G8RPI.

Dead right, it was a loose earth (the one under the battery box)! Got it, and now up and running again. Thanks so much for your help.