Complete Electrical Failure

[Steve--o]

Hi

Peugeot 206 1.6Hdi GTI

OK here's what started happening. When I insert my key and turn the ignition on all power is cut off from the battery; car goes completely dead. This happens when the key hits position three. You can hear the closing of a relay or similar and then current is killed instantly. All current, no perm lives, clock reset etc.

So far it comes back on it's own after 10 minutes.

Alternatively removing the main ignition fuses in then engine compartment seems to do the trick though I've not narrowed down exactly which one does this (could be the 30A number 15 fuse for the coil and heaters etc) as I've also been pulling the multiplugs too.

Any thoughts on a cure? Because of the self reset I was thinking it could be the alarm?

Thanks in advance.

[Capncol]

Sounds more like a dead battery. Check the voltage on it. If it's not that check battery connections next.

[Steve--o]

No sadly not that easy....new battery only two months old and connections are good too. Checked the earth strap and the alternator as well just to be doubly sure.

Thanks very much for replying, really appreciated.

[Capncol]

Even new batteries can be dead if something is draining them. Did you check voltage?

[rblabs]

I doubt if the problem is related to the battery if your battery is good. One thing I would like to ask, do you notice any light lit up or any display sign on the dashboard when power goes off? If there was no light, no sign of display or dashboard light, then begin to suspect any security system or gps tracking device if you have one. In fact many people don't even know they had one fitted in their car!
A defective gps device, might just ignite power cut relay and after sometimes de-ignite the relay. At other times it could be a defective battery connection, check to be sure there are no blue-ish or dirty stuff on the battery terminals. Finally, be sure you don't have any security device like, remote starter device too.
Keep me updated when you solve the problem. Good luck.
Rob

[Steve--o]

Cheers Rob. The battery is putting out 12.67V on the meter so no isues there.

It's this resetting thing that keeps me thinking it's the imobaliser as you suggest.

Drives perfect once started.

Thanks again guys.

[Steve--o]

Solved! Managed to get a good look around today in the dry and chased all my main battery leads.......loose connection at the starter motor! Not a common thing to happen I'd say but seems to have been enought to cause a spike and failure. I'd certainly advise people to check all the main battery connections before thinking of the alarm. Think I steered Rob that way too. Now it's fixed it's easy to look back and say the alarm would probably not kill every system...just prevent starting.

Thanks everyone who replied.