Have a 2003 Barina. Driving home and noticed the dash lights fading. Then the airbag light came on before the car lost power steering and electric windows stopped working. Lights died.

SOURCE: 2002 Hyundai Accent lost power

Hi and welcome to FixYa,

Offhand, definitely an electrical issue. Some ideas to check, consider and/or explore:

• IGN switch - check for loose, corroded or heating connections. To test, under normal usage of the vehicle, should feel warm but not overly hot. If so, then possibly loose connection;
• fuse/relay box - check for loose, corroded or burned terminals, holders, clips and connectors/pins. Use an electrical contact cleaner and spray. It may also be necessary to scrape to remove burnt marks/corrosion;
• fusible link - the battery would have 2 wires connected to the + terminal. The big wire goes to the starter, the smaller of the two is the electrical systems main wire. This normally goes to the fuse/relay box. Check for frayed ends, loose connection, corroded terminals. In some instances instead of being at the battery's + terminal, it is connected to the end of the big cable down at the starter motor.
• ALL connectors with big wires - these carry the main +12 either as always ON, ACC or IGN. If a connector has a wire bigger than the others, check them. It may be necessary to disconnect to enable you access to the inside pins/terminals. Scrape them clean.

SOURCE: Dodge Stratus electrical problem

your battery cables and battery posts need to be cleaned. or the pattery cables need to be replaced

SOURCE: horn died,airbag light came on steering seems stiffer

2003 corolla, horn stop working and now air bag light is on. Was told a senor was out on the steering.

SOURCE: Lexus sc400 electrical problem

the computer is bad and also these cars are known for the insturment clusters to go bad along with the computer. get them both fixed and it will solve your problem.

SOURCE: electrical short

Your problem is pointing to the alternator. Since you say the alternator is only a year old, the I would check the tension on the belt (deflection should be about 1/2 an inch), and the belt itself. Your problem most likely lies in either the belt, belt tensioner (if applicable), or alternator.