Problems starting my Peugeot 205 DT?

I have a K reg 205 DT that normally starts first time every time. However,
if the car has been running and is allowed to cool for a while i.e. 10-40
min while doing a bit of shopping it won’t start. I can’t even
get the engine to turn over not even a click. If i have a short stop ie to
get fuel it will start without a problem. When the car won’t start
all i need to do is use a set of jump leads and it starts first time. I
just don’t have a clue what is causing the problem. Needless to say
i travel with jump leads all the time now but would like to go out without
having to worry about it starting again. Can you help?

 

Battery? Glow plugs? Judging from what you're saying it could be your
battery. First check the connections to it and to the engine and starter
motor. I had a similar problem on a Lada which was down to a fractured heavy
duty cable to the starter solenoid[1]. Check earths as well. Then if that
doesn't do anything or perhaps before you do all that, check your battery
voltage. Off load it should be above 12V, when cranking it will drop
probably to 11 or a touch lower. If it drops way off then you've got a duff
cell in your battery and you will have to replace it.

[1] it had fractured internally about 1 inch from the solenoid. It was
invisible from outside the cable and I only found it by accident.

 

I have a K reg 205 DT that normally starts first time every time.

Take it to ATS or Quickfit, they should test the battery for free. It
sounds like a battery or cable problem to me otherwise you’d hear the
starter motor trying to start the engine.
Does the battery light on the dash stay on or flicker? If so it could
be a faulty alternator.

Streltsky