206 - Flat battery and lights on when they shouldn't be

[Steve126]

My neighbour has a 2003 Peugeot 206 and says she has been having problems with it.

Yesterday, the battery was flat when she went to start it, so it was jump started and taken for a drive and then left over night. This morning when she turned the ignition on the headlights came on (even though the light switch was in the off position), and the battery didn't have enough power to turn the engine over. The battery has since been charged and tested and is apparently ok.

I've read about using a meter and removing fuses to check for a drain, but wondered what you would all make of the headlight problem? The lights aren't on when the ignition is off, could they be causing the drain or would they be on all the time if that was the problem?

I realise it might be the alternator causing the flat battery, but it seems strange she has the light problem at the same time as having the flat battery.

You can probably tell I'm a bit of a retard when it comes to electrics.

[Old Merc]

Sounds as if you have a drain or charging fault and another fault caused by disconnecting the battery,did you go through the disconnection and reconnection procedure?? (wots that he says).
The only "206 fault" I can suggest is the earth lead from the top of the gearbox to the body under the battery often brakes.Other than that I would recommend an auto electrician checks the charge rate and leak off check.
Battery procedure:- open bonnet,open driver`s window,close all doors & boot,remove key from ignition,ensure nothing is left switched on,wait 3 mins,(allow BSI to go to sleep)disconnect battery.
Then leave as above,connect battery and wait 3 mins,lean in through open window and switch the lights on,the BSI should wake up with the speedo mileage illuminating.Start car and go through all the systems. (Mad isn't it)

[Steve126]

Thanks for bothering to reply.

I didn't do anything to the car, I'm just repeating what the neighbour said when she asked if she could borrow a battery charger. The stuff about the battery reconnection procedure is interesting and I'll pass that information on because I'd be amazed if it is something my neighbour is aware of.

[LeeThr]

On a 2003 206 DO NOT start pulling fuses out, they run a live can van electrical system and doing so will mess up the BSi unit. Also jump starting a multiplexed 206 can cause issues as well. There is a correct procedure for shutting down the computers and removing the battery.