306 will not start and all electrics have gone

Hi everyone Please help with my problem. This is gonna be quite long so bear with me. I have a 1997 306lx 1.4i. I took it to my local tyre and exhaust garage for a new middle box and 2 new front tyres. I left it with them for the day. I go to pick it up. The guy says to me that they had problems starting it prior to putting it up on the hoist. But they did manage to start it.I pay them for the job that was done. I get in my car. Both front windows were left down by the mechanics. Went to start the car. I noticed that the temp gauge needle was as far over to the right as it could possibly go. The digital clock was flashing. Upon turning the key the car turned over fine but wouldnt fire up. At that point i heard a buzzing from one of the relays in the fuse box. The dials went nuts.Speedo went to 100mph, rev to 6000, fuel gauge to 3/4. temp gauge went back to normal position. I realised that i had a big problem. I wanted to secure the car but found that i could not wind the windows up. Motors just made noise but did nothing. Went back to the garage to ask what they did to it as it was fine when dropped off that morning. They said that they had trouble starting it. So they left it for 5 minutes then returned and it started. The guy also said that the fuel gauge was showing nil. I had over half a tank when i dropped it off. He thought that the gauge was faulty. Anyway i got a tow home. Checked battery terminals.They're fine. Charged the battery just in case it was a little low. Battery charged up fine. Tried once more to start it up. Same scenario again. Still no functioning windows, mirrors, radio, clock, gauges, or locking. I have had to cover the windows with plastic sheeting for now. I am very dubious about going to a dealer with this problem as i think they will overcharge me and probably do a process of elimination with parts in the hope of fixing the problem when it could just be a simple thing like a dodgy relay, fuse or whatever. I was wondering whether anyone else has had a similar problem or if someone can give me any help in locating typical problem areas with a fault like or similar to this. Thanks for your time and effort in reading this article. I personally think im fooked and this is gonna cost me more than the car is worth!!

Reply to
maznkaz
Loading thread data ...

In message , snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.co.uk joss stops reading and ponders a while before scribbling this reply

Possibly, just possibly it may be your earth strap problem. Check to see if one to the engine is still fixed and secure and is making good contact. On my 306 there is also an earth strap from the rear exhaust box to the chassis, check that too. You might also want to visit the link below as a very good place for help with Pugs.

formatting link
Joss

Reply to
jossmer

Sounds definitely like an earth strap failure. I had the same - engine turned over, but generally wouldn't start. Relays clattered, sometimes speedo read 140mph and then down to 0 in a second.

Full details of my problem can be found here:

formatting link
All fixed for less than £5. :)

D
Reply to
David Hearn

formatting link

As you said, I recon most garages would have started with replacing the ECU, then gone on to replace everything else in sight, before eventually stumbling on the actual fault. After all it's not their money they are wasting is it?

Reply to
Brian

I'd Like to thank all who have contributed to this post. As of today i have fixed the car. You were all correct. It was the earth strap from the engine to the chassis. It had completely come away from the engine. Put a new strap in place and hey presto. It cost me a little more than =A35 but hey, everything in Cornwall costs more than anywhere else in the country!! LOL Cheers again

Reply to
maznkaz

In message , snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.co.uk joss stops reading and ponders a while before scribbling this reply

Brill a result of for the collective then. Thank you for coming back to let us know its fixed.

Reply to
jossmer

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.