Hi, I've been having some trouble with my 2002 Peugeot 206 for a while. I have been getting intermittent problems such as headlights coming on when the switch is in the off position, power from cigarette lighter either on/off or low power (as reported when my phone tries to charge). Have also sometimes had a "bong" sound when I start up, but no errors reported on the dash.
Pulled into my garage last night and realised the interior light didn't come on when I opened the door, and then I couldn't lock with the key fob. Tried starting the engine and nothing.. no dashboard lights, nothing.
Took the battery out today to give it a charge (it's 3 years old - fitted by the dealer before I bought the car) but charger reported it's full right away.
I noticed the battery is 320amps, but all the parts shops I check online are offering me new batteries at 400amps based on my registration, so is the battery underpowered for this car?
Some forums suggest checking the earth strap, which I gather is the negative cable off the battery. Any other thoughts on this? Changing the battery is about as hands-on I can understand when it comes to cars, so if it's a "take it to a garage" solution then I'd appreciate some suggestions what parts might need replacing, for prices research.
Cheers all
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
The battery is not under powered, it has worked for three years so far why would you look to that as being the fault? When you have the type of problems your having, things that aren't related to each other then the ground would be a good place to start. Battery terminals clean and tight then check the other end of the cables, also clean and tight. If the ground cable goes to the engine block there needs to be a jumper going from the block back to the body find it and as always clean and tight.
Underpowered - no, that is fine if the car normally starts from cold. This is not the source of your problem
Most likely for me is some sort of bad connection, could be as simple as something like an earth strap but until checked out by someone with a multimeter who knows what they are doing the problem will be hard to diagnose
Check under the bonnet all the electrical connections you can find for tightness and corrosion - you might just get lucky
Thanks JJ and Timbo. I got a mechanic out and he found the earth strap was all but frayed away. He's re-attached it to the chassis temporarily so I can get it to a garage to replace.
He also noticed the battery wasn't correct - not so much down to the amps but it was the wrong type and as such was lower in height than it should have been, so it wasn't clamped in place. It must have been moving as I was braking and accelerating, which over time had broken the earth.
Thanks for the answers guys!
When you start the car does the battery light go out?