All power went ... now back on ... any ideas?

[kas279n]

Hi there,

On my way home from work today all electrical power went - radio, lights, windscreen wipers, etc... I drove home using arm signals planning to check it out further then (I was only a couple of miles from home). I turned off the engine for a moment, then restarted and power is all back. Any ideas as to what may have caused it; it's evidently a problem that I need to fix, I just don't know where to start...

Kathryn

[simmitc]

My first thought was loose connection from the battery, but you didn't lose ALL power - the engine kept running, and that needs electricity to make sparks and run the petrol pump; and, of course, to start the car again. It clearly is a loose connection somewhere. Wipers and indicators come from a common fuse. The lights are not usually fused. The radio is an extra item, so that depends on where it takes its power. When all is normal, does the radio work with the ignition OFF? When you had the problem, was the fuel gauge still working?

As a starting point, I would clean the fuses and all connections in the fuse box, and make sure that all terminals are pushed well home.

Good luck.

[kas279n]

Mmm... The car was definitely running! Not sure about the fuel gauge - I did look to see if the milometer was working and that was! The radio does not work when the ignition is off (it did when first fitted but drained the battery, so I got it changed). I think I'll take the moggie again tomorrow and see what happens, and have a go at cleaning fuses etc over the weekend.

Thanks again,

Kathryn

[bmcecosse]

Definitely fuse 'clips' - or connections on the wires to/from the fuse.

[PSL184]

Agree with BMC. The fuse box is suspect. The milometer will work regardless as it is mechanical not electrical. If the fuse connections die you will loose wipers, fuel gauge, indicators and anything else fed from the fuse box, ie radio.....

[d_harris]

fusebox!!!