Car has no power at all then starts no problem

[Sue_Gee]

I have a Peugeot 206cc, 1.6 (about 2002 I think). I got in the car this morning and it wouldn't start, dead as a dodo, no interior lights no display not even trying to turn over. 'Aaah, battery' I thought, so spent about 5 mins trying (unsuccesfully) to open the bonnet so I could give it a jump start. Closed the bonnet (it had released but I couldn't find the catch to fully lift it) and opened the door to try the release again, when I opened the door the interior light came on so I tried to start the car again but still nothing, engine dead - had another attempt at opening the bonnet, couldn't so decided to go indoors and get the handbook, closed the bonnet again and before going in just tried the key one more time and the engine started with no labouring or effort. I drove into work parked up and turned the engine off, out of curiousity tried to start it again and nothing, no lights, completely dead again. I opened and closed the door, tried again and it started. I'm just hoping it will miraculously start when it's time to go home. I was wondering if it could be a key issue, it's definitely not a problem with the battery not having enough power. Oh - when it started the first time the clock, radio, etc had all reset itself to zero.
My key has broken buttons and I have to manually lock and unlock it.
Can anybody help!

[GrandadMonkey]

You can get a remote key fob case for about a fiver of eBay. Just transfer ALL the internals from your key into the new one. Don't forget the transponder chip. Your blade will need transferring too.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugeot-106-2 ... 1322180435

As for your problem it sounds like a battery connection or starter motor fault. How old is the battery? How many miles has the car done? Is it the correct battery which should be 190mm tall and not the 175mm tall one for the hatchback. If someone has replaced it with the shorter one you will most probably have connectivity issues from the strain on the terminal connection. The fact that the clock and radio have all reset to zero points to the battery and/or connection. Certainly there is a break in electrical continuity. If the battery is 7 years old or more then it could be on the way out.

Welcome to the forum Sue.

[Capncol]

I vote for battery connection too. They work on an over center quick release clamp, and it may of worked loose. The movement of closing the bonnet may have shaken it enough to make contact again. You need to sort this urgently or you could corrupt your BSI ( see the battery disconnection method at the top of this forum) as a sudden disconnection can *spike* it. Get someone to help you look at it lunchtime.

[Sue_Gee]

Thank you so much for your replies - I'll try to find someone car savvy to look at it. Just one quick question, where on earth is the bonnet release catch (I know where the one in the car is, it's the one to actually lift the bonnet right up that I can't find).

Found it - checked the battery and I think it is a connection issue, the clamp seems really loose and so does the battery so possibly it is the wrong one. I pushed the clamp down and the car started, will get it to the garage ASAP to see if they can tighten the connection and check the battery (mine says part 075, doesn't mean a thing to me).

Again thank you for your spot on advice.

Sue

[Capncol]

You're welcome
The problem is you have the shorter battery. It should be an 079 not an 075
If the battery is fairly new / good, you could pack it underneath with a piece of 12mm plywood to get you out of trouble.

[MrsL]

Hi,
Sorry for hijacking this thread but was after similar advice. My mum just gave me her 2002 1.6 206cc. She had a little work done on it before passing it over (emissions sensor changed, wipers fixed so they didn't hit body edge, new tyres, MOT etc.). I was driving it fine, no problems at all and made a 150 mile journey about 2 weeks ago so battery should be plenty charged (and its less than a year old, seems to fit flush in the mount and I can't see any obvious connection issues).

Its been parked up for a week but when I went to get in yesterday, there was no power at all. I couldn't even use the remote key/central locking/interior clock/window etc. I was going to put a spare battery in to get it up the hill to my local mechanic but after reading a few of the posts about frying the BSI/battery removal methods I have decided against it! I'm afraid I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to cars (or forums for that matter so apologies if my ettiquette is poor!) and would appreciate any advice on what the problem could be or what I should do .

Please help!

[GrandadMonkey]

Lift the bonnet, get someone to sit in the car, switch the sidelights on. I assume they won't light up. Jiggle the battery terminal connectors and see if the lights come on at all. If they do you'll know its the battery connection. The front connector works as an over-centre quick release clamp, and it may have worked loose. Put a thin ruler down the side of the battery to measure the height which should be 190cm not 175cm (if you can't see the battery type - should be 079).

Switch off the lights when you've done.

Let us know how you get on.

[gazza82]

Hi,
Sorry for hijacking this thread but was after similar advice. My mum just gave me her 2002 1.6 206cc. She had a little work done on it before passing it over (emissions sensor changed, wipers fixed so they didn't hit body edge, new tyres, MOT etc.). I was driving it fine, no problems at all and made a 150 mile journey about 2 weeks ago so battery should be plenty charged (and its less than a year old, seems to fit flush in the mount and I can't see any obvious connection issues).

Its been parked up for a week but when I went to get in yesterday, there was no power at all. I couldn't even use the remote key/central locking/interior clock/window etc. I was going to put a spare battery in to get it up the hill to my local mechanic but after reading a few of the posts about frying the BSI/battery removal methods I have decided against it! I'm afraid I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to cars (or forums for that matter so apologies if my ettiquette is poor!) and would appreciate any advice on what the problem could be or what I should do .

Please help!

Battery could be on it's way out. Not holding charge is a sign it's coming to the end of it's useful life. With the weather getting colder, any weakness will show up ... usually when you need it most ...

[Capncol]

If this has only happened once, it could be that the battery went flat due to something being left on, boot light, interior light, or glovebox light or something similar. Try putting a battery charger on it and see if it recharges ok