Catastrophic ElectricaL Failure

[bobthejoiner]

Hi All,

I am a newbie here and looking for some in depth advice 2 Days ago My Trust worthy 406 Drove out my Drive way and got up to 3rd Gear then cut out !!! first i thought the timing belt ???? but no its ok However there is no Electrics... the car is Dead the only thing that works is the Headlights. i Got recoverd by the AA even he was baffled, i tried jump lead from battery earth to engine to check for bad earth , tried checking for voltage going into the fuse box right hand plug showing 12v going in. I would much appreciate any Help.

Thanks
Bob

[steve_earwig]

Hi Bob, any idea What The year Of Manufacture is? The Build code Would Be best, or Chassis number.

Btw I'm thinkinG Ignition SwiTch...

[bobthejoiner]

Hi Thanks for your reply, Yeah it's a 2002 Hdi (110) Rapier, the AA Bloke checked ignition switch, the car is completely Dead no Dash lights, or interior lights , windows are dead ,Horn is dead Nothing except central locking and headlights !!!

Thank you Again.

[PeterN]

Any idea what the check of the ignition switch revealed, was there any voltage at all on it?

Peter

[jasper5]

Main fuses ok? Not the small ones in the fuse box, but the big, high amp ones?

[bobthejoiner]

Any idea what the check of the ignition switch revealed, was there any voltage at all on it?

Peter

Yeah there shows an earth but no Pos supply at ignition switch.
Thanks for responding .

[bobthejoiner]

Main fuses ok? Not the small ones in the fuse box, but the big, high amp ones?

The ones under the flap next to drivers door? if so yeah they are all ok so are the six underneath above acclel pedal.

Thanks

[markw]

I think Jasper means the maxi fuses which you'll find in the engine fusebox, not just the 'ordinary' fuses in the cabin compartment. Some models have extra maxi fuses hiding under the engine bay fusebox as well.

[bobthejoiner]

I think Jasper means the maxi fuses which you'll find in the engine fusebox, not just the 'ordinary' fuses in the cabin compartment. Some models have extra maxi fuses hiding under the engine bay fusebox as well.

Hi i just checked all fuses are ok even the small ones under the bonnet , No voltage goin in or out of ignition switches but there is an earth showing , 12v going into fuse box in cabin 12v showing going into fuse box under bonnet (on the big nut). im going to investigate under the fusebox in the engine compartment for more fuses

Cheers Mark

[steve_earwig]

This might help

[bobthejoiner]

I think Jasper means the maxi fuses which you'll find in the engine fusebox, not just the 'ordinary' fuses in the cabin compartment. Some models have extra maxi fuses hiding under the engine bay fusebox as well.

Just found a huge 50 amp fuse blown under the engine compartment fuse box i reckon you lads were right on the button im going to get a replacement to try it

[bobthejoiner]

Thanks a lot All you guys that helped me today , it turned out to be MF 7 Maxi fuse was Blown, under the fuse box. And i Sincerely am Greatfull to you all and this Forum .


Many Thanks

Bob

[jasper5]

Glad we were able to help you

Sorry I didn't make it clear where these fuses are located, but with some nifty team work we got there in the end

[Doggy]

Good work people.

There is still the question of why it blew in the first place to consider.

I hope it doesn't happen again, but if it does, try to get as clear a picture of what was on at the time.

Please, please don't be tempted to try a bigger fuse.....

[markw]

+1
That's a big fuse to blow for 'no apparent reason'. You could have an intermittent short to earth there as it takes a lot more than 50A to blow a 50A fuse!