Hello! 
I drive a 2011 Ford Fiesta which has had lots of issues in the last week. 
 

first of all the clutch went, that has been replaced and then I had a flat tire, this has also been replaced. 
 

The car worked like usual for 2 days after this work and then suddenly stopped starting, when I turn it on I hear a lot screech and click but nothing else, all the dash lights come on.

 

I called the AA out who said it was the battery, I have replaced the battery and the issue is the exact same, they are now refusing to come out without a large fee as they didn’t fit the battery which seems a little unfair as they have diagnosed it wrong? 
 

It’s been a real stressful week and I’m looking for any helpful pointers from anyone 

 

Thank you, any help appreciated! 

The gearbox earth cable was probably broken during the clutch change.

9 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

The gearbox earth cable was probably broken during the clutch change.

Apologies forgot to mention, Was able to jump start the car at one point but this doesn’t work either. Does that still point towards the earth cable being broken? Will I be able to bump start it or will I need the car to be recovered? 

1 minute ago, OwenG0412 said:

Apologies forgot to mention, Was able to jump start the car at one point but this doesn’t work either. Does that still point towards the earth cable being broken? Will I be able to bump start it or will I need the car to be recovered? 

Yes, that still points to a broken cable, could be positive or earth, though most likely earth.  If you're using jump leads rather than a jump pack, you can create your own earth using one cable from the battery negative across to a solid piece of metal on the engine or gearbox.  It might bump start if a main cable is broken, as long as there is enough current going through to power the ECU and injectors etc.  (Starter motor takes a huge amount of current.)

54 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Yes, that still points to a broken cable, could be positive or earth, though most likely earth.  If you're using jump leads rather than a jump pack, you can create your own earth using one cable from the battery negative across to a solid piece of metal on the engine or gearbox.  It might bump start if a main cable is broken, as long as there is enough current going through to power the ECU and injectors etc.  (Starter motor takes a huge amount of current.)

Really appreciate your help Tom! 

is there an easy way too check the earth cave or best to leave it to a garage to sort? 

In theory it's fairly easy.  Just follow the thick battery cables by eye and see if the open ends are frayed anywhere.  Some may require other parts removed for access though.

Just take care not to touch the positive cable at the same time as anything else on the car, as the entire engine and chassis should be earthed so your hand/arm/watch could complete the circuit and give you a shock.

If the cables and connections are ok, I'd turn my attention to the starter motor. 

You mentioned that there's a lot of 'screeching' so something mechanical is trying to happen.