Technical abs/ebd system warning, new battery

[mattstoke]

My multipla 2004 (54) has been struggling to start for a while so today i changed the battery. Dont ask me how but somehow i crossed terminals for about 5 seconds and a bit of smoke came up from way down below. I did the battery change and all was ok, the car started up 1st time and all the lights, indicators brake lights worked. I had to take my daughter home tonight and i noticed the stereo was not working also the fog light. I went to reverse up my daughters street which is on a little bank and the car cut out and would not start, the abs/ ebd warning come on the dash, also the engine management and airbag light, i bumped started the car to get home. when i got home i switched the engine off and now it will not start at all and the warning messages are on the dash. Is it mechanic or auto electrician time? i checked the fuses for the sterio and it was ok. The battery teminals are still connected ok and the lights alarm and things still work apart from starting. I am not very good where it comes to cars, where would my best course of action start.

Thanks

 

[pete123]

Sound like the imobilser has kicked in switch the car to par on ignition and dissconect battrey again while ur there as for it cuting out ya may have damaged the ecu witch aint cheap that's worst case when u get the battrey bk out just check the termanals to make sure one of them isn't fryed if this doesn't work then come bk there is a few things it could be ! Just wondering how did u get the connectors round the wrong way

 

[mattstoke]

Sound like the imobilser has kicked in switch the car to par on ignition and dissconect battrey again while ur there as for it cuting out ya may have damaged the ecu witch aint cheap that's worst case when u get the battrey bk out just check the termanals to make sure one of them isn't fryed if this doesn't work then come bk there is a few things it could be ! Just wondering how did u get the connectors round the wrong way

Thanks for the reply, will have a go tomorrow.. as for the terminals, bloody women in your ear

what sort of money are we talking for the ecu? also the car is turning over as if the battery is flat

 

[pete123]

The previousa owner had it done on my multipla and it cost just over a grand but that was done by fiat I'm sure if ya can sorce one if it is that proberly aint though ya look in breakers and then its just coding keys by all accounts I heard is a pain let me no how it goes tommorow !!

 

[pete123]

Have a look around the forum been reading a old thread some new battreys when are placed the wrong way kills the cells so might just be u killed the battrey again as if it doesn't have anough to power u will get these error messages

 

[mattstoke]

pete thanks again, what i might do is take the battery back, play dumb and try again mate then if its still the same then will try get in touch with a mechanic.

 

[mattstoke]

pete do you have a link to the thread at all as i cannot find it

Matt

 

[pig]

If you're lucky (!) you may just have fried the alternator- this would lead to the battery not being charged.
If the car ran ok after the smoke was let out, it's unlikely the ecu was damaged- the engine wouldn't start with a dud ecu.
I guess you've now got a flat battery cos the alternator isn't charging, leading to all the spurious warning lights.
Bung it on charge overnight and see if it starts in the morning.

hth
neil

 

[pete123]

pete do you have a link to the thread at all as i cannot find it

Matt

its listed under abs ebd cant give a link as use my phone for the forum

 

[mattstoke]

thanks guys, i have a mechanic who is recommended on this site coming on wed, fingers crossed it will be something like the alternator

matt

 

[multiplex]

I would go along with Pig. I did the same thing many years ago on a Strada. A momentary lapse of concentration and there was a puff of smoke. It was the alternator. The same as you, the car started and ran for a while but eventually failed to start. New (scrap yard) alternator did the trick.
If it has been running I would agree that the ECU is probably ok.
Maybe jump start it and then stick a voltmeter across the battery. If it is charging you should get about 14 to 14.5 volts.
Good luck

Andy

 

[mattstoke]

Guys the mechanic came today and yes it is the alternator, unfortunately i have fried the sterio now here is the next question he couldnt get the alternator off due to some heat shield and the bolts won't budge and are siezd to get it off he recommended that i take it to a garage with a ramp and bottles to burn the bolts off.. Would it best to source my own alternator and get it fitted or let a garage do the lot. If anyone in Stoke wants to help then feel free to pm me

 

[mattstoke]

All sorted out, alternator from breakers £25 delivered and free fitting through my work, i am a lucky boy!!