fizzle

Hey guys need your help with a problem please. I was driving the S a couple of weeks back and all of a sudden the EPS and ABS lights came on and the radio switched off. The cluster then switched off too and the headlights died, as did the car. Had to call breakdown cover, had a feelings its the alternator or the battery after reading a few threads on here. Recovery dude came over and charged up the battery and I drove home with only the dim lights on with the recovery dude following me home in case the car died again. I have since purchased a new battery and and also replaced the alternator with one form an 07 car (mine is MY04) and thought that did the job. Today however I did my first motorway run since and noticed upon starting the car the wipers were moving slower than usual when I tried to clear the windscreen. About 10 minutes into the drive the cluster again started flickering and the radio died. I then switched off the headlights and nursed the car home. The cluster would come back on again but flicker when I hit the indicators. On hindsight I even recall the roof retracting slower than usual. Any ideas? Thank you for your help

unclefester

Check the battery earth strap - the short black lead that bolts to the car - for starters anyway. Also check the condition of the main fuses, they may look 'OK' but if the larger ones are corroded they may be causing issues.

Also, check the condition of the drive belt and the tension of it.

MarcS2000

-edit, sorry missed the bit where you said you bought a new battery

mikey k

After a new battery and alternator it sounds like you got an earth loop issue as UF says

Nick Graves

High-earth reistance sounds most likely.

Also remember the pins, where the loom goes through the bulkhead; some cars have suffered bad corrosion, if water gets in. Vive la resistance!

fizzle

I think the drive belt needs a change, can that cause the issue uncle fester? I'll check the rest as soon as I get to the car. Thanks for the replies by the way everyone!

Nottm_S2

Earth. You'd notice slipping or the belt was fooked when you changed he alternator

fizzle

Okay so an update. Car has been in the Bodyshop and since getting it back last month I've tried get down to what the problem is. The car screwed up the second alternator which was installed. Since getting it back from the Bodyshop it has had a second brand new battery installed. The fuses have been checked, all the wiring has been checked, battery earth staps are cool, no idea what on earth is wrong with the car. Got another alternator now but the dude I got it from checked the alternator which came off the car and he said not to install the new one until the problem has been identified and fixed. I'm clueless. Any ideas gents?

Nick Graves

Is the engine>body earth strap OK?

They are known to corrode/fall apart and that would be another high resistance. How's the starter crank speed?