Lost ALL Electric Power while driving

[cbseven]

2004 Matrix XRS: Out for dinner tonight and came back to car - battery dead (or so I thought).
No big deal - I push started it and was on my way. 10 miles later, nearly home, and the engine just stops. No sputter, no hesitation, it just stopped. I lost all electric power, headlights out, no dashboard lights, no nothing when I turn the key.

I don't think it's the battery since they don't tend to just go completely dead (there's almost always a little something to give you at least some dim dash lights). I don't think it's the alternator since when *that* goes, you can still run on battery power for a bit. Anybody have any thoughts?

- cb

[Anshu]

Well the first thought is check all the wiring. Terminals etc. Try jump starting it. see what happens then.
Batteries do tend to go just like that, once a cell fries it wont give anything. Check it with a multi if you have one

[Frank@toronto]

Most cases its the battery or alternator.

Check the voltage on your battery terminals. Like Anshu said, check wiring from battery to main fuse box (located next to battery).

[cbseven]

Thanks for the hints - will definitely try the voltmeter this AM before calling the tow truck.

- cb

[cbseven]

So I checked the battery with a voltmeter and got a good 12v. The ground wire was good but still no joy. I did notice that I had one dash light (door open indicator) but still nothing else. I rechecked the battery terminals and then went for the fuse box. My first clue was that the fuse box cover was not seated correctly. It was just lying on top of the fuse box (odd). I visually inspected the fuses paying particular attention to the big ones (there's one labeled 100A and another labeled 40A) but they all seemed fine. I gave each one a shove with my thumb to make sure they were properly seated, and bingo, I had power again. Started right up and headed home.

Thanks again for the help!

- cb

[stevenspc]

Strange indeed! Have you had the car in for a service recently, sounds like some Service Tech didn't do his job properly after inspecting the fuse panel/relays. Glad to hear is was that simple a fix!!!!