Help needed! Electrical fault?

[GunnerGeezer]

Hi All
Driving home this afternoon in my Clio 1.4 Dynamique and there was a loud cracking sound, it sounded like I'd driven over something plastic, immediately the red battery and stop lights came on.
I carried on driving fine, but now the car refuses to start. The lights all come on the dashboard and the radio etc works so I know it's not the battery dead.
Any ideas please?
Many thanks

 

[da rok]

battery and stop would indicate a fault on the charging circuit, by the crackling sound you heard, something either blew or more probable is that one of the earth straps or leads has corroded and fallen off... seen this happen a few times... your dash lights will still come on even if the battery is too flat to start the car... they will come on right until the voltage drops below 10 volts...
have a snoop around at your earth straps and the lines running off of the alitnator, you can also try jump starting the car and see if it runs for a bit but be wary... flat battery can cause a whole host of strange electrical problems on a modern car so only try jump it if you have ruled out the altinator and its wiring

 

[GunnerGeezer]

battery and stop would indicate a fault on the charging circuit, by the crackling sound you heard, something either blew or more probable is that one of the earth straps or leads has corroded and fallen off... seen this happen a few times... your dash lights will still come on even if the battery is too flat to start the car... they will come on right until the voltage drops below 10 volts...
have a snoop around at your earth straps and the lines running off of the alitnator, you can also try jump starting the car and see if it runs for a bit but be wary... flat battery can cause a whole host of strange electrical problems on a modern car so only try jump it if you have ruled out the altinator and its wiring

Thank you. I don't really know anything about cars but I'll have a look to see if there's any wires loose. It's a 2003 clio 1.4 so not sure if that classes as modern.

 

[da rok]

there are 4 main earth straps in the engine bay, one from the battery to the chassis, one to the gearbox (braided strap), one to the bell housing and a smaller one by the brake fluid reservoir, i class anything with computer controlled injection and ignition as modern lol so yes... your ride is modern, im sure you have a mate with a volt meter somewhere... put a few beers on the table and do some testing.

 

[GunnerGeezer]

Many thanks for your help. I just had a good look and it turns out the rubber belt has snapped, so I guess it's an easy fix?

 

[fairm010]

That would be your aux belt, running to your alternator. So your battery has not been charging.

 

[GunnerGeezer]

I guess that's also why it won't start. Hopefully it's a cheap fix.