You are spot on holmsie. After talking to the Toyota service centre, they have confirmed it was the fuse for the alternator that has blown along with a few other devices, all caused by either reverse polarity onto the battery from the jumper cables or a dead short from the alternator to the chassis. For the record, I couldn't find any 0 gauge wire that was bolted to the frame straight from the positive on the rectified output of the alternator so my money is option A at the moment. It was driven the day before without an issue and from what the mistress of finance has told me, other than a few lights on the dash when she first attempted to start it on the morning of the incident (forgive the standard male 'anything to do with a car' level of doubt and misogyny but it could have been the standard lighting of the dashboard panel prior to starting. It could also have been pac man doing the Macarena around the speedometer..... and he has no hands. Both are plausible) no other issue other than the car not starting. When the RACV guy tried to start the car with the jumper cables on it, the horn locked on along with every other electrical item like the movie the lawnmower man. (Enough of the 80s/90s references...) Still, far from a coincidence. And my level of urinary off-ness is at an all time high. Total incompetence from this guy and nothing less. So the usual plethora of emails have gone out today to all involved and a couple of calls. Toyota have so far stated that the obvious fuse card is damaged and that the battery is below 6 volts. I figure if he has blown a 100A+ fuse that the battery is less than ok so I have given the go ahead to replace it too. Lets face it, I will not be footing this bill, so replace the whole car except for the fuel tank for all I care. I paid for the fuel and I want it back ^_^ Awaiting feedback from RACV as to what they will do regarding the bill but there has been talk of a hire car already so they might be more understanding than I expected. Will certainly keep the forum informed as to the outcome. Might be helpful to some other poor bugger that gets an air thief for roadside 'assistance'. <end venting> I have appreciated you replying Holmesie. It has been a relief to digress to someone during this saga.