Partners 206 car wont start

Zola.

Anyone have a 206 or know much about them?

OH's car was lying unused for probably 3 weeks, it doesn't get much of a run these days. Once a fortnight usually. I do all the driving for work etc.

I have used jump leads on the car twice in the past 4 months or so..
Usually it fires up straight away after connecting.

Last night I tried jumping it again for her and the key wouldn't even turn over. When she turned the key to start the engine the speedo clock dials just flicked back and the car stayed silent.

Any ideas?

Should I try leaving my car running with the jump leads connected to hers for 10 mins and then try starting her car?

Or do you reckon the battery itself could be toast?

foxy-stoat

Buy a new battery that will sort it, sounds like its due for a change.

Browntoa

I reckon battery toast , first cold snap normally kills them

gilbert_and_sullivan

If the car is likely to only get used once a fortnight then if you have a power point close by it would be sensible to semi permanently rig a smart charger (£14 from Lidl Aldi when available) and keep the battery conditioned between uses, even the best battery will struggle with this sort of use in the cold.

I'd remove the present battery, check the electrolyte level if possible and give it a proper charge up for a couple of days on an old fashioned real charger.
The jump leads should provide enough amperage for a 206 with a completely dead battery so i'm going to suggest your leads are either a bit on the poor side, or if they are good and copper wired then possibly a bad connection between the cable and clamp at one end, alternatively you have a poor connection at the car battery posts, or at earth, you could try jumping by connecting to the car positve cable (give a good waggle to make a connection) and earth it to a good clean engine bolt instead, see what happens.

Strider590

I'm shocked that you'd keep jump starting what was clearly a duff battery......

It's not as if a new battery is all that expensive and jump starting a car is not something I think any amateur should do. The problem is people see recovery guys do it and think it's ok as a long term solution, but the clue is in the name, its "breakdown recovery service" not "breakdown long term repair service".

Ectophile

If the battery has been left flat for an extended time, it will never be any good again. You may be able to get enough charge into it to start it once, but it will just keep going flat again.

Sounds like it's time for a new battery.

Marktheshark

Agree with above, dont waste cash on a charger, once a lead acid battery has been in deep discharge its toast.
It will charge up and start and next morning its cold its back to square one.
Look at Euro car parts for a brand new battery and the problems gone for at least the next two years.