Total loss off electrics and engine when driving.

[Shardy]

While driving my Xantia 2 Litre HDI 1999, at night I experienced total power and electrical failure. I managed to switch on the hazard lights and stop the car without hitting anything. I noticed all the panel warning lights and the internal pillar lights were flashing in time with the hazard lights. The ignition key wouldn't work anything but the lift pump in the fuel tank, everything else was dead. All the fuses look good. I would be interested to hear if any one has had this problem? Cheers steve.

[Stewart(oily)]

Loose battery terminal ? check both ends of both cables.

[Peter.N.]

I would concur, clean by scraping the battery posts and connectors, if that doesn't work check the other end of the thick cable from the negative lead, it will either be connected to the engine or gearbox.

Peter

[RichardW]

Check the state of the +ve battery connection - start the engine, and after a few minutes feel the connector and cable. You may well find it is too hot to touch.

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... =3&t=38273" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Shardy]

I was driving in the dark when the lights went out and the engine stopped. I could see nothing. I was going down hill at 50 mph on a dark road with trees and bends and things. I found the hazzard light switch and pressed it. The hazzard lights came on and I could see a little. Before the car came to halt I depressed the clutch as I saw a turning off the road and needed to keep the car rolling in order to make this turn. (I would have been dead had I stayed on the highway). As the engine stopped I lost steering and brakes but managed to make the turn to safety. I pulled on the hand brake and stopped. I noticed the pillar lights and the dash board warning lights, side lights and clock were all flashing in time with each other. The ignition switch was dead apart from the fuel pump operation. Cheers. Steve

[Hell Razor5543]

Steve, you are one lucky bar steward. I think that a Lexia session might be a good starting point. You can use this link to find FCF members with Lexias who are willing to help;

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 19&t=29178" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Stewart(oily)]

Major electrical, like the battery lead.

[Mandrake]

If you lost all brakes except the handbrake when the engine stopped you better get the accumulator and anti-sink spheres replaced pronto they must both be faulty because you should have at least 20 hard brake applications available after the engine is stopped. Not having these working properly is a serious safety risk as you discovered, good thing you were lucky and nothing bad happened!

[taffy]

I had this and in my case alternator was dead...