Possible serious problem

[Cozmo]

Hi All,

I'm new here, but I've had my 206 cc (2001 plate) since February and am totally in love with it. However, these past couple of weeks have been horrid with the car. By the way, I should point out, I'm completely useless when it comes to problems with cars....and seem to always have bad luck with them.

Last week I had the STOP light flashing at me so pulled over turned everything off, started up again and it was all fine for a few minutes, then started flashing again. When I turned left round a corner I heard a crunching sound coming from the centre console, followed by a slight burning smell. Not wanting to take any chances, pulled over and called my mechanic. To cut a long story short, it was due to the power steering liquid being low, he topped that up and it was working beautifully again.

Yesterday, however, I went to start my car and all the lights on the dash came up, but it wouldn't even try to turn over. Just a little "click" sound. But nothing. I have had a bit of a thing with the battery in the past (or so I thought) where if I turn off the car and take the key out, the battery light flashes a couple of times, makes a click sound a couple of times, and if my wiper blades are on they will keep moving for a few seconds after the key is out. But I was told by the car salesmen its to do with dodgy battery connection but nothing to worry about (also my CD player never seems to remember which track it was up to, even though in other cars I've had the same CD player in...it did!).

I asked my mechanic to take a look and he's said it is definitely an electrical fault as every time he plugs it into his machine, it comes up with a different fault each time. He's gone over it with a fine tooth comb and everything else seems to be peachy. He's telling me it needs to be seen by an electrician and could cost £100, or depending on how serious the problem is, up to about £900!!!

I am gutted, especially with the time of year, and needing a car to get backwards and forwards to work. I am utterly gobsmacked!

Has anyone else experienced anything similar? Any advice etc would be so greatly received and appreciated.

[Capncol]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Bit late now but if it had a problem when you bought it, I would have made them sort it out before accepting car.
However, if your mechanic has looked over it with a "fine tooth comb" and feels he is a bit out of his depth, then us sitting here at our keyboards not seeing the car will have a tough time helping you out.
I would start by checking all the relays including the double function one.

The CD player problem is a bit easier-you have lost the permanent live connection. Is it the original unit or aftermarket?

[GrandadMonkey]

I wonder whether when the original battery was replaced (I assume it has been otherwise it would be doing incredibly well at nearly 12 years old) the correct one for the 206cc was fitted. The 206cc battery is taller than the smaller one for the 206 hatchback. If it has the smaller one then it places a strain on the battery connections and this can cause breaks in continuity. Sometimes people have replaced the correct battery with the smaller one and packed it by placing a bit of wood underneath it. I have heard of people having the sort of electrical issues you are having, only to be cured by replacing the battery with a brand new one of the correct specification.

As an example see this thread:
http://www.peugeot206cc.co.uk/viewtopic ... 23&t=14142

[Cozmo]

Thanks for the replies (and the welcome).

The CD player isn't the one that came with the car, I've had it in numerous cars I've had.

Also I forgot to mention (sorry was rushing yesterday with getting stuff ready for X-mas), that the mechanic said the main problem is the car thinks its running ALL the time, even when the key is out and I've switched everything off, the computer...or whatever it is...things the car is constantly running.

Dunno if that helps get a better diagnosis or not.