02 1.2 Electrics gone down - completely - Clio 02 quickshift
This morning when I turned the key everything went dead; all the electrics went down. When I turned the key afterwards I could not even get light on my dashboard. In fact, I could not even lock the car, when I left it.

I am sure it is something relatively simple (I hope!!), but what could have caused such a complete shut down of everything electrical, and how can I fix it?

Best,
Jonas

Edited by Pugugly {P} on 20/01/2008 at 09:26

02 1.2 Electrics gone down - completely - elekie&a/c doctor
I would suggest looking at the battery and epecially the positive terminal which usually has a red plastic screw down hand nut.It may look ok but often hide a poor connection.hth
02 1.2 Electrics gone down - completely - Clio 02 quickshift
Thank you. I will go down and check. I have left the car for a couple of hours and when I tried it again the dashboard now started to blink rapidly, which, I suppose, suggests a loose connection. I'll go down and have a look at the battery.

Thanks
02 1.2 Electrics gone down - completely - spikeyhead {p}
Its also possible that you've left the lights on, or that a switch has gone so the boot or glovebox light has been on and drained the battery.
02 1.2 Electrics gone down - completely - Clio 02 quickshift
Thank you for your answer. The dashboard has now started to blink rapidly, so I suppose it must be a loose connection rather than a flat battery?

Best,
Jonas
02 1.2 Electrics gone down - completely - Galad
Same thing happened to my 9 year old Astra. Friendly RAC man quickly diagnosed a failed battery. It has just reached the end of its natural life (couldn't complain as it was the original battery).
02 1.2 Electrics gone down - completely - Altea Ego
Your battery is completely flat, possibly left lights on. Dont bother to recharge it, they typically last 5 or 6 years from new on a clio. Get a new one.
02 1.2 Electrics gone down - completely - Clio 02 quickshift
The first thing I did was to check whether I had left the lights on - but the switch was in off position. Now the dashboard has started to blink so I take it that there must be a loose connection somewhere
02 1.2 Electrics gone down - completely - Screwloose

Electronics can do almost anything if the voltage is down.

Forget French connexions - try jump leads!
02 1.2 Electrics gone down - completely - Clio 02 quickshift
The end of the story:

A A arrived, and did their thing. A new battery was needed (£59 with a 3 year warranty - given that they fitted it it wasn't too bad).

Thank you for the replies. Those of us who are completely ignorant of engines etc. really appreciate that you guys who do take your time to help us.



02 1.2 Electrics gone down - completely - Screwloose

Glad it's all sorted out - and that's not a bad price; perhaps next time that five different people unanimously suggest that it might be a battery problem, you might actually believe them.....