UK Car Repair: Rover 214sei electrics, alternator belt, rover 214sei

Question
QUESTION: I have just bought a 1999 Rover 214sei. Whilst driving it home I noticed the windscreen wipers starting to struggle. Then the rev counter and the odometer both stopped working. Then the fan packed up. After I switched the fan off everything gradually started to work again. When I got home I switched the engine off and tried to re-start. The battery was completely flat. The car will start if given a jump start but the battery goes flat immediately.

ANSWER: I think you received my answer, if not, let me know

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QUESTION: I didn't receive any answer other than the above!
ANSWER: Yes, I suspected you didn't. It appears that the alternator is not charging, or a system has a very large drain.  Is the alternator belt tight?  I would call the seller and explain what happened, and that it must have been an existing fault. It should be their responsibility to take care of it.

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QUESTION: Thanks. I checked the alternator, the vendor told me it is brandnew. I then checked the battery earth strap and found it was corroded very badly. I replaced it and it seems to have done the trick (hopefully).

Answer
Good, lets hope so. It must have been very badlly corroded to prevent charging, and yet it was able to start the vehicle, the much higher current needed to operate the starter would have encountered the same bad connection which is most unusual, strange!  Whoever replaced the alternator obviously did not disconnect the battery earth, this is a basic must do!