Turn the key: lights flash, wipers go, engine does nothing

[Pilks7]

Hi guys, I was hoping this may be a known problem...:

I turned the key this morning (after promising a friend a lift to the airport!) and got nothing. The starter motor just coughs once every time I turn the key, but the weird part is that the lights will flash and the wipers will wipe once every time the car tries to start. The clock and radio also restart when this happens.

I have had this problem for a year and a half with this car, in summer it is less of a problem as it will always start.
Last winter I bit the bullet and took it to a mechanic, but after a new head gasket and flywheel (and two months of perfect starts) it started to happen again. So, different mechanic, different prognosis, same result (a few months of perfect starts, followed by the problem coming back).

I just wanted to check here before taking it back to the mechanic and spending more money on temporarily patching the problem again.

Thanks in advance, truly appreciated!

Luke

[IanL]

This could be a low battery, caused either by old age or a poor alternator. Peugeot electrics do odd things when the volts are low. Try recharging the battery before opening your wallet to another mechanic.

[Capncol]

Sound advice Ian

[Pilks7]

Thanks, I'll give that a try. Very annoying though, did exactly the same last year, can't seem to find a mechanic who can actually (permanently) solve the problem. Guess it pays not to be so totally ignorant about cars..!