So i bought French...

[Starleteer]

Hey guys just wondering if you can help me on this one..bought a 1993 Peugeot 306 1.6 XT yesterday and appeared fine so handed over the dosh..no offence to French cars but every one i've had has developed a problem so really took a chance (again) and what a lovely car.

However,

A pipe to the radiator has a split and someone has put some sort of tape around it, now it's holding it ok for now but there's a warning light that comes on (always when the car is first started, it's a picture of an engine with a K through it so most likely managment), it causes it to lack almost all power however seems to go away up the rev range, maybe to do with the air in the system?

Also, yesterday afternoon came back to the car to start it and the battery was dead, thought nothing of it and after a push start was on my way however driving last i noticed all the lights (dashboard, interior, rear lights and headlights etc) were flickering / pulsing so i assumed the alternator had packed up and the battery was about to die but it got me around 15 miles back home..

Now what strikes me as wierd is every light i could see (beams, dash etc) were dim, however whilst driving occasionaly everything would power back up and become MUCH brighter as they should be so not sure if it's a loose connection somewhere?

I'm no mechanic but i really want to enjoy my little Peugeot and could i please get some advice on how to fix it?

Thank you

[Old Merc]

If the alternator output has been checked out to be OK.First check all the earth wires,there will be two or three bolted to the top of the gearbox and one or two bolted to the body under the battery tray,also dont forget the two battery terminals? Next,and this is a known 306 problem,the huge wireing loom that goes from one side to the other behind the front bumper,I`ve had lots with broken wires.

[perdu]

Old Merc said:

If the alternator output has been checked out to be OK.First check all the earth wires,there will be two or three bolted to the top of the gearbox and one or two bolted to the body under the battery tray,also dont forget the two battery terminals? Next,and this is a known 306 problem,the huge wireing loom that goes from one side to the other behind the front bumper,I`ve had lots with broken wires.

this

is quite likely

there is a large multiplug, nearside (under/along the battery tray if my old memory serves me...) There may even be two, it's been long time...

used to cause me problems with alarms and immobilisers on some of these French cars, carries much of the system circuitry

Unplug 7 operate WD40 spraycan into both parts of the plug(s) and reconnect