Peugeot 206

Please can someone help me I'm at wit's end with my 2002 Peugeot206 1.6v I cant spend much more on this car. It started about 13mnths ago when battery died so had new battery fitted then couple of months after car sounded rough so took it to garage and had new belt and alternator fitted. Run fine for around 6mnths then battery charge fault appeared on dash randomly and after few wks of that few other warning light's came on (abs fault, braking and airbag fault) eventually car just died on me. Called AA who said alternator wasnt charging the battery, took it back to garage who fitted alternator 6mnths earlier and they fitted another new alternator, run perfect for another 5/6mnths then happens all over again but this time speedo stopped working and handbrake light on dash came on as well, garage fitted yet another new alternator but couldn't reset warning lights and said may reset themselves in few days, car seemed to drive fine but warning lights stayed on also speedo didn't work but did kick in 2or3 times until stopping completely, since this which was about 7wks ago ive now got anti pollution fault warning also engine management is constantly on and number of strange electrical things happening (wipers struggle to work when using main lights and when handbrake is on its beebs and warning light appears on dash) hadn't done it previously. Cant afford to spend more money but also can't afford a new car so would b very grateful for any help with solving my problems. Thanks in advance and got my fingers crossed hoping for help

maisey, August 2015

I used to fix computers long ago - I know very little about cars but I count a total of 4 alternators including the original - I have never had an alternator replaced and I don't know anybody who has.

It may not be like this on your car but an alternator used to be fed with an exciter current to make it operate properly - the wire coming from the Battery Not Charging light. When the voltage from the alternator matched the voltage on the exciter wire the lamp goes out.

Trouble is - if the lamp fails or if the exciter wire has a dodgy connection the alternator would not produce many volts - the battery would not charge and you would never know about it!

I suspect that all your alternators were in good order - a garage makes more profit on a new alternator rather than fixing a loose wire and you have had the misfortune to need three - I smell a rat.

As for your other faults I can offer no help at all - perhaps the anti-pollution warning is genuine.

Whatever the faults may be it will cost you money to get them fixed but I would advise you to find a different and reliable motor repair specialist - I have no faith in the people you've been going to.

Nevertheless...

Good Luck..., August 2015