Hello,

 

Looking for possible inputs to repair my car. 

 Brief : So the car was driving perfectly when suddenly while driving the speedometer stopped showing any readings, the steering became hard, speedometer lights turned off and also indicators stopped working. The brake lights started blinking (red light) and its still blinking. Luckily I was near home so I kept on driving until I reached home and parked my car (with difficulty steering). As soon as I stopped my car and tried to turn it on again it won't turn on and had a clinking sound. So I immediately opened the bonnet and checked, where I found one of the wire on the battery cover (fuse, image attached below) broken and melted. The wire is possibly the wire connecting alternator to the battery. I don't have any equipment rn to change the part and I'll go tomorrow to buy it but I'm not sure if the problem will be solved just by changing the small part. Wanted inputs regarding is this the problem or there might be some other problem as well. Requesting your inputs, thanks!

As far as I know, you're right, the left hand maxi is the alternator. Most likely the cable has broken and shorted to ground somewhere, most likely the ring terminal on the alternator has frayed off. 

 

It's most likely going to be a "could have been worse" or "looks worse than it is" job. First step for me would probably be make sure that cable is disconnected at both ends, start the car and see what happens. 

The car is not starting now, I'll change the ring tomorrow and connect the wire back. Do you think that will solve the problem?

I cannot see enough detail from that photo, needs a better lit, better focussed shot please.

 

Overheating caused by corrosion of the cable crimp, I think. Does it work when you bypass the fuse as shown in last three photos?

The cable next to it, which feeds the cabin fusebox, looks bad too, maybe water has been getting there somehow? Is the cover missing?

Edited 17 December, 20223 yr by Breezy_Pete

No the car is still not starting after bypassing the wire and connecting directly. Yes, the cover is missing and its raining and snowing for some days now. This red light on the panel as shown in the last two photos is also blinking.

Hello, has the battery become discharged to too low level due to the wiring fault?

I don't think its the problem, as headlights, interior lights etc are working even when the vehicle is stationary. And it was driving fine and the problem came suddenly while driving, the power steering got disabled, speedometer stopped showing readings but car was still driving, until I stopped then it won't turn back on again.

Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

 

Best to check the battery, even if it's not the problem it could be a problem and a contributing problem.

Edited 17 December, 20223 yr by nta16
ETA: Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

Did you check that the wiring at the alternator was ok and undamaged?

On 17/12/2022 at 12:30, ak**** said:

No the car is still not starting after bypassing the wire and connecting directly. Yes, the cover is missing and its raining and snowing for some days now. This red light on the panel as shown in the last two photos is also blinking.

 

 

Is this photo correct? With the ignition on, the battery light is not illuminating. If so, I'd suspect an alternator control wire to be broken or disconnected before thinking about anything more expensive.

Okayy I jump started the car with another battery and the car started, so I think the problem was the battery. I bought a new battery now and changed it, the car works normally now. But I was not able to find the fuse plate connecting the alternator cable to the fusebox so the cable from the alternator is still bypassed and connected directly to the left most maxi. So do you guys think it will cause a problem or should I just leave the cable bypassed and connected as it is currently?

Its connected like this currently.

What is the measured voltage at battery terminals with engine running? Then measure with engine switched off.