Totally dead - sometimes!

[mbc007]

Hi - i'm new here so please be gentle!

We have a petrol 1.4, 2003 206.

Wifey took the kids to school this morning, all fine. Came to start the car to come back home and nothing happened.
I go to rescue her and find that the thing is completely dead - no central locking, no interior lights, no dash lights, nothing. No clicks or anything on turning ignition - jsut totally dead.
I get the bonnet up and disconnect battery and reconnect it just a couple of seconds later. Everything then works fine again - car starts and runs fine.

Wifey then uses the car for running about different palces today - again all fine but has now just come to go out again and exaclty same problem occurs.

Again, i disconnect/reconnect battery and everything fine again.

Trouble is, wifey now has no confidecne in the thing and i'm at a loss as to what the problem is. Any clues anyone?

thanks all

[Capncol]

Welcome to the forum.
Firstly- You have been lucky not to fry BSI by disconnecting battery. See sticky on correct method. Secondly- Sounds like you may have a poor battery connection that is temporarily made good by moving the terminal while disconnecting. Check there first.
Could alternativly be dual function relay.

[mbc007]

Hi - thanks for this.
I'm no expert and am only going on what i've read on the internet, but if it was the relay wouldn't this just cause starting problems as opposed to aboslutly no electrics whatsoever, which is what i have got?

Also, again jsut from my quick perusal of the net, doesn't that BSI-thing only apply to the early model 206's?

[Capncol]

BSI 2002 on. Known as "Plexed" as oppposed to pre plex

[mbc007]

Thanks Capncol - i'll follow the proper procedure re the battery removal.
(early riser by the way - or late to bed!)

[mbc007]

OK - update
The car has started fine this morning.
Nevertheless, i've been out and disconnected and removed the battery (following correct BSI procedure of course!).
I could only see one earth strap, running between gear box and car body. That seems all fine, not corroding or anything.
Have reconnected the battery and condcuted the BSI reset. Everything seems ok but still cautious this will solve the issue as i've not noted anything untoward when doing this stuff.
What are the known issues with the dual function relay and where do i find that, please?
thanks all

[littleblue]

We had that when we first got the car. The terminal was a quick release type and would open up a bit. my mechanic used a cable tie to hold the terminal closed - his idea. Not had any problems since and confident it wont happen again.