was out in my car tonight and everything was going fine, was on my way home and the car started chuging like it was running out of petrol, then all the lights whent out inside and out side that car, just as i got home it cut out, as i whent outside ther was only one light on and it was very dim, when i go to start the car ther is nothing, the started dosent even click, but the alarm nd central locking still works, im thinking its the altinator but unsure, anyone had the same problem or simular, its a mrk3 fiesta, i know some of u are good with electrics on this forum so any help is great

 

Sounds like the symptoms of either a flat or a dead battery (mine died due to the cold here) - radio still worked but battery didn't have enough charge to start her.

Best try the cheapest option first and then investigate the alternator.

 

yeah ill give it a try, the batter seems fine before but who knows, hope this isnt a sign of things to come

 

did your battery light come on? check all your fuses as there is one that breaks the connection from your alternator to your battery if it pops.

 

If it started chugging when driving like u say, i imagine the alternator stopped charging the battery, and all electrical equipment like lights, radio, heater etc was all running off the battery and has drained it.
Check ya fan belt aint snapped, make sure your battery light on the dash is working, and as said check all wiring to the alternator is secure and clean, same thing with battery terminals.

 

check the belt hasnt come off.
get a meter on the battery when the engine is running and see what its putting in, it should be around about 14.4volts

while ya there, check the blue wire for damage, you see the one i mean coming off the back of the alternator, trace it along as theres a plug, pull the plug and clean the connection

 

My ols Si did exactly the same thing. Radio kept going off and lights started to dim, Them it started to loose all power (like it had any). Got my mate to tow it home cos it was dark. Looked the next day and the red power lead from alternator to the starter had broken off the ring terminal on the end. Fitted a new one and charged battery and it was fine