206cc won't start when cold

[walshawwilly]

Hi I'm new to this forum and just want to say hi firstly before asking for help with my girlfriends 2005 206cc 1600 16 valve, she's only had it a few months and it's recently started refusing to start when it's cold ie first thing in the morning and when it's been sat all day at work, the first time was in the bad weather when she had to abandon it in the snow and walk to work, when she came back at teatime it wouldn't start, I tried the next day and couldn't get it going, it was trying but just wouldn't catch, I rung the aa the next morning and he came out and it started first turn of the key, prior to this there were no lights on the dash, we it started the engine light stayed on and upon plugging it into his diagnostics it showed a crank sensor code, incedently it started and ran perfect all that day, next morning wouldn't start from cold again, anyway new crank sensor fitted, it started ok but next morning wouldn't start again when cold, it appears if it's really cold outside it won't start and if it's around 5 degrees plus it will, anyway thought coolant sensor isn't working and giving enough fuel from cold so replaced that too, still won't start this morning the second time we were going out, I tried it at 7 when coldest and it started, then about 11 it wouldn't start, no lights currently on the dash, battery seems up to it and turns over when it should, help appreciated

[gazza82]

I'd probably consider a new set of plugs unless you know they have been changed recently. You can't really test them but they do have a distinct life and one starting to fail could stop the car starting.

Don't get NGK as these can interfere with the coilpack and cause more problems.

I fitted Bosch Super 4s to our 2.0 and it starts first time, every time. The old plugs were single electrode ones with a Pug Lion logo and very, very worn.

[walshawwilly]

Hi,I'm replaced the plugs when I did the crank sensor and fitted ngk r plugs as listed for my model, I take on board what your saying but it's perfect once it's been started,I had a misfire issue on a volvo t4 and genuine volvo plugs are the ones everyone in the know uses,I'm sceptical it's the plugs as it seems temperature related but I'll bear that in mind thanks

[Capncol]

How old is the battery?

[walshawwilly]

It looks quite old to be honest,not sure if it's the original one or not but it seems to turn it over ok and hasn't flattened when cranking trying to start it which can take a while before it finally goes,I've tried, crank sensor, coolant temperature sensor, spark plugs and got a map sensor to fit now as I'm running out of options, you think it could be the battery?

[walshawwilly]

Incidentally it started fine this morning and tonight and was quite cold which is when it seems to refuse to start,it's usually around the 4 or 5 degree mark and under when the problems start,the colder it gets the worse it is,getting to the end of my tether with it to be honest,there's other ailments to do but this is more important at the moment, any help much appreciated

[Capncol]

My thinking on this is that a failing battery causes all sorts of issues, mainly because ECU's are expecting a certain voltage. Under about 12.2V, and they can give trouble.
Any battery (even a new one) can't perform as well in the cold, add to that cold oil is thicker and a huge current draw to operate the starter and a failing battery can struggle to keep up (even if it cranks the engine, the voltage drop may be enough to confuse the ECU)
Try jump leads and see if it starts any easier. If it does- buy a new battery. If not we will have another think.

Have a look at the numerous post on here about problems that were solved by replacing the battery

[walshawwilly]

Well I fit a cambiare map sensor tonight but I think it's either the wrong sensor or I damaged something plugging it in as it wouldn't go in properly and tried pulling the plug back out and the grey part came off inside the sensor, I couldn't get it out and it wasn't in far enough, I've managed to push it in but the cars running like a bag of crap now when warm even, and tries to stall when you rev it hard and the revs drop off, wrong sensor or damaged the plug, who knows?

[GrandadMonkey]

If the battery is the original then it is nigh on 10 years old so you'd hardly be wasting your money to treat it to a new one. Get the right size and 190mm tall one. I got an Exide EA530 which fitted perfectly, performs well, and cost £60.

Gazza is right about the spark plugs too. I'd throw away the NGK plugs and fit either Peugeot branded plugs from your main dealer (as I did), or Bosch ones. Peugeot 206cc's do not seem to like NGK plugs and they have been known to spike coil packs on these cars. I don't fit aftermarket parts as a general rule. The genuine Peugeot parts are designed for the job and tend to fit and work perfectly.

[walshawwilly]

My mate who works at a Citroën dealers is going to have it for a few days, battery looks new but not sure if it's correct, will try and upload a picture if I can figure out how from my phone, thanks for your advice

[walshawwilly]

Can't figure out how to upload pictures from my phone, anyone tell me how?

[walshawwilly]

The battery is a 012 360 cca and 45ah if that's of any use and the indicator shows good health and appears quite new

[gazza82]

Bit low powered for a CC ... Won't help starting in cold. You need something closer to 60ah.

[Capncol]

Post by walshawwilly » Mon Feb 16, 2015 6:38 pm
It looks quite old to be honest,not sure if it's the original one or not

Post by walshawwilly » Tue Feb 17, 2015 1:59 pm
The battery is a 012 360 cca and 45ah if that's of any use and the indicator shows good health and appears quite new

[walshawwilly]

My mate has taken it tonight, he works at Citroën and he's very clued up on the electrical side and diagnostics, just don't want to keep throwing money at it and not curing it,see what he can find,thanks for your advice and will pass it on