Why Your Peugeot 2008 Won’t Start: Complete Troubleshooting Guide to Diagnose and Fix Non-Starting Issues

When a Peugeot 2008 refuses to start—whether the engine stays silent, cranks endlessly, or simply flashes a warning on the dashboard—it quickly becomes more than an inconvenience. As a community of owners and automotive enthusiasts, we know there’s nothing more frustrating than turning the key (or pressing the Start/Stop button) and getting… nothing. In this comprehensive guide, we break down every real-world reason your Peugeot 2008 might not start, how to diagnose each one, and what you can do right now to get the car running again.

Our approach blends technical accuracy with practical clarity, giving you dependable steps to follow before visiting a workshop.

Overview of the Most Common Causes

Before diving deep, here’s the hierarchy of likely faults when a Peugeot 2008 won’t start:

• Weak or failing battery
• Faulty starter motor or solenoid
• Fuel delivery problems
• Ignition system faults
• Immobilizer or key detection issues
• Sensor malfunctions
• Wiring, ground, or ECU issues

Battery Failure: The Most Common Peugeot 2008 Starting Issue

The battery is the lifeblood of the starting system. Without enough power to crank the engine, the car simply won’t fire.

Symptoms of a Weak or Dead Battery

• Slow or laboured cranking
• Rapid clicking noises
• Dashboard flickering or going dark
• Total loss of electrical power
• Keyless models: “Key Not Detected” errors

How We Diagnose the Battery

We recommend performing these checks in order:

1. Inspect the terminals
   Loose clamps or corrosion can block the current flow. Remove oxidation using baking soda and water.
2. Measure battery voltage
   • 12.6V+ = healthy
   • 12.2–12.4V = marginal/weak
   • Below 12.0V = discharged
   • Below 11.8V = likely failed
3. Jump-start the vehicle
   If the car starts normally with a jump, the battery or alternator is the culprit.
4. Load test the battery
   Using a battery load tester or at a parts store. This reveals hidden deterioration.
5. Check battery age
   Most Peugeot 2008 batteries last 3–5 years, less in hot climates or short-trip usage.

Starter Motor and Solenoid Problems

If the battery is fine but the engine doesn’t turn over, the starter becomes suspect.

Signs of Starter Motor Failure

• Single loud click when pressing Start
• No sound at all (dead starter)
• Grinding noises (damaged starter gear)
• Repeated attempts eventually crank the car

Practical Diagnostic Steps

• Listen closely while attempting to start – A click usually means the solenoid is engaging without turning the motor.
• Inspect starter relay and fuses – Swap the relay with an identical one in the fuse box to test.
• Tap the starter body – A temporary fix that can free stuck brushes.
• Check for power at the starter terminals – Ensures the starter is receiving voltage from the battery.

If tapping the starter works, replacement is imminent.

Fuel Delivery System Failures

A Peugeot 2008 can crank normally but fail to start if it’s not receiving fuel.

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Common Fuel-Related Causes

• Empty tank due to faulty gauge
• Failed fuel pump
• Blocked fuel filter
• Clogged or malfunctioning injectors

How We Diagnose These Issues

1. Listen for the fuel pump priming
   When switching the ignition on, a 2–3 second hum from the rear indicates pump operation.
2. Check fuel pressure
   A workshop can test rail pressure to quickly confirm pump or regulator issues.
3. Inspect the fuel filter
   Older diesel 2008s especially may suffer from blocked filters.
4. Evaluate injector function
   Misfiring, rough idle, and poor acceleration indicate injector inefficiency.

Key Warning Signs

• Strong cranking but no combustion
• Short start followed by immediate stall
• Engine shaking while attempting to start

Ignition System Failures: No Spark, No Start

If fuel is present but there’s no spark, the Peugeot 2008 will crank indefinitely without starting.

Components Most Likely to Fail

• Spark plugs
• Coil packs
• High-voltage wiring
• Crankshaft and camshaft timing signals

How We Identify Ignition Problems

• Remove and inspect spark plugs
  Oil fouling, carbon buildup, or cracked porcelain means replacement is due.
• Test ignition coils
  Swap coils between cylinders; see if the misfire follows.
• Check for spark
  Using a spark tester confirms coil/plugs condition instantly.
• Verify grounding points
  A poor engine ground can kill spark output on modern Peugeots.

Immobilizer and Key Detection Problems

Peugeot’s immobilizer system locks out the ignition if it senses a mismatch in key authentication.

Symptoms of Immobilizer-Related Non-Starting

• Engine cranks but never fires
• Key symbol flashing on the cluster
• “Key Not Detected”
• Red immobilizer LED blinking rapidly

What We Do to Fix It

• Try the spare key – A damaged transponder chip is common.
• Replace the key fob battery – Low voltage disrupts RFID communication.
• Check for interference – Phones, alarms, or metallic objects can block the signal.
• Perform a BSI reset – Useful for electrical glitches.

Critical Sensor Failures That Can Prevent Starting

Modern engines rely on dozens of electronic sensors. If a sensor critical for timing or fuel mapping fails, the engine simply won’t fire.

Major Sensors to Check

Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP)

The most common no-start sensor failure.

Symptoms:

• Cranks but never starts
• Tachometer doesn’t move while cranking
• Trouble codes P0335–P0339

Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP)

Works in sync with the CKP.

Symptoms:

• Long cranking before starting
• Uneven idle
• Trouble codes P0340–P0344

Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor

Less likely to cause a complete non-start but may lead to severe stumbling.

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How We Diagnose Sensor Problems

• Scan with an OBD-II reader
• Check for signal output using a multimeter
• Inspect sensor wiring for heat damage
• Check connector seating and moisture

Wiring Faults, Ground Issues, and ECU Malfunctions

While less common, electrical continuity problems can create intermittent or complete starting failure.

Frequent Wiring-Related Causes

• Corroded engine ground straps
• Broken wires near the battery tray or ECU
• Rodents chewing harnesses
• Water ingress in fuse boxes

ECU-Related Symptoms

• Intermittent starting
• Sudden engine shutdown
• Impossible to communicate with OBD-II scanner
• Multiple unrelated warning lights

These problems typically require a technician with advanced diagnostic tools.

Final Thoughts

A Peugeot 2008 that refuses to start can feel like a puzzle with too many missing pieces. But by breaking the process into clear diagnostic stages—battery, starter motor, fuel system, ignition, immobilizer, sensors, and wiring—you can quickly narrow down the fault and often solve it without a visit to the workshop. When in doubt, scanning the vehicle and consulting a professional ensures fast, accurate repairs.

FAQs

1. Why does my Peugeot 2008 crank but fail to start?
Most often due to fuel pump failure, clogged injectors, bad spark plugs, or a failed crankshaft sensor.

2. Why is there a clicking sound when I try to start?
This almost always indicates a weak battery or poor electrical connection at the terminals.

3. Can a faulty key fob stop the Peugeot 2008 from starting?
Yes. A bad fob battery or damaged transponder chip can block the immobilizer and prevent ignition.

4. How do I know if my fuel pump is working?
Turn the ignition ON—if you don’t hear a short humming from the rear, the pump may have failed.

5. Will an OBD-II scan always show the problem?
Not always, but most sensor, immobilizer, and ignition faults will store diagnostic trouble codes that point directly to the culprit.

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