'I did it' but for anyone with the same problem heres the awnser. the engine overheated due to a ceised thermostat this made the engine run so hot it caused excessive carbon build up causing the engine to run on after the key was removed from the igniction this made the earth lead on the battery melt because the alternator run on with the igniction off and the earth lead become inaffective this is why the lights did'nt work etc but some electrics did.i then got a diagnostic check courtesy of the r.a.c and found that the temprature sensor was cooked and the dashboard display was also cooked.(easily replaced) so if anyone has similar problems thoroughly check the earth lead first of all then get a diagnostic check to find out what else went wrong while the lead was melting.
david, December 2006
