Problem at 100mph, need this sorting or I'm selling the car

GeordieBoy · Post by **GeordieBoy** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 12:39 am

Not a problem for normal public road use, but a problem for Private Land or Track Use. At around 100mph (just over 3,000 revs) the Speedo drops to 60mph (no loss in speed tho), Rev Counter drops, Hazard Warning Lights come on & sometimes the Brakes and Steering feel a little heavier. This only happens for a few secs, and then all is back to normal providing I dont go over that speed again. Anyone know what this could be? Also all the time, not just at 100mph the Coolant Temperature is a bit eratic, its up and down like a prositutes knickers. A while ago, my Windscreen washers did not work, I found out the rubber pipe had come off and the water was going over the Coolant Reservoir and down the OSF of the car. I reconnected the pipe and it was all ok, but now the Coolant Temp is eratic, coincidence or not.

If this is too expensive to fix, or cant be fixed then I'm selling it and buying something else poss non Peugeot.

mjb · Post by **mjb** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 3:04 am

Sounds like a dodgy connection somewhere, possibly caused by your washer leak corroding a connector? Your ECU ain't swimming in its little plastic bathtub is it?

Fixing it shouldn't be too expensive (unless the ECU's done in) but finding the fault might be a pain. I guess the fact that it's related to such a high speed would mean the air rushing in through the grille was putting pressure on something, so you could try wiggling things (wiring, the ECU housing, fusebox, etc) around with the engine running to see if you can replicate the fault?

munfred · Post by **munfred** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 9:57 am

For some reason alternator comes into my head, but not quite sure why.

Defo something to do with one of the sensors.
How are your oil and coolant levels? and when was the last time you had a service?

Post by **Welly** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 9:59 am

With it flashing the Hazards it might be a fault on the alarm/immobiliser? air pressure at high speed certainly seems a possible cause.

LXHDi110 · Post by **LXHDi110** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:45 am

mine was similar when 1st got car, except at low speeds, turned out they for got to tighten earth on ecu when changed cam belt...and if i remember you just had work done on your pully etc. Worth a look.

GeordieBoy · Post by **GeordieBoy** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 11:50 am

Its been doing it for mths, long b4 I got the pulley done, but it 1st starting doing it at 120, then 110 now its 100mph. It doesn't have an alarm, immobiliser is in the key. Oil and Coolant Levels are ok, altho I do get an occasion warning that Engine Coolant Level is too High but that only lasts a few secs and goes off, I think its cos the Coolant Temperature is eratic. It was due for a Service 300 miles ago, which I haven't had done, cant afford it just yet, but it will be done in 4-8wks, I'll also get the car properly checked out, but want to see what it could be 1st and what expense I could be looking at.

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 12:58 pm

Stiffer steering hat higher speeds seems about right for me.

The 406 has reactive power steering. Meaning that lat ow revs or speeds the steering is lighter, to facilitate easier control and parking. The faster you go, the tighter it gets, so that you don't sneeze and find yourself flipping over.

As for the rest of the electrical issues, it sounds like you have a bad earth or perhaps a short somewhere. Check everywhere for water and signs of corrosion on electrical connectors. Check the ECU tub too.

Keep in mind though, the 406 is NOT a race car.

GeordieBoy · Post by **GeordieBoy** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:02 pm

I know its not a race car, but it should do 100+ ok. It has 160 on clock and does 60 @ 2,000revs, 90 @ 3,000 revs, 120 @ 4,000 and so should get to near 150 @ 5,000 if it wasn't limited at 130 ish.

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:38 pm

GeordieBoy wrote:I know its not a race car, but it should do 100+ ok. It has 160 on clock and does 60 @ 2,000revs, 90 @ 3,000 revs, 120 @ 4,000 and so should get to near 150 @ 5,000 if it wasn't limited at 130 ish.

Um, no.

Its debatable on whether or not it "should" do 100+ ok. Most can and will sit there comfortably. But it is by no means the desired or designed cruise speed.
Yes you may have 150mph on the dash, but that is not to say the car "should" do that.
My car has 170 MPH on the clock and and 8000 rev counter. Yet my car will not approach either of these and I do not expect it to.

Your logic is flawed my friend.

You certainly will not see me threatening to sell my Pug if I can't drive it at absurd speeds without it breaking.

LXHDi110 · Post by **LXHDi110** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 10:58 pm

Would just like to remind people that travelling at 100mph+ brings an instant driving ban, lots of points, a big fine, and sore legs.

We all like to try our cars every now and again, to clean engine out etc, on a private road of course, but i can vouch from my much younger days, no matter what car you drive, if you constantly drive it over 100mph it WILL break.

Drive safe everyone

GeordieBoy · Post by **GeordieBoy** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:16 pm

WTF does any of those few posts actually help me? NO. As for selling me 406 if I cant get it fixed, yeah why not, I'm taking it to Nurburgring next year so I dont want it knacking up at 100mph which is easily achieived and more and throwing me into the barriers. I'd rather have another car that will allow me to do it. Also who says I travel at that speed all the time, I'm talking about private land or track use, I live 40 mile from Croft and it aint that expensive to use it, I also goto some car show were there is a track for ppl to use. I want to be able to use it safely and not have the cars steering, brakes fail at over 100mph when I need them most.

If you cant help with the problem then dont post. Simply as really.

turbolag · Post by **turbolag** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 9:59 am

A fault code check sounds a sensible starting point, but it will only tell if there's a faulty sensor input, or if there is a fault detected outside of the correct values at the sensor.

Check all the electrical connectors, and get an output check on the alternator & voltage regulator, cos a duff 'nator was the cause of similar issues on an old car.

Post by **Welly** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:08 am

You see what 1000 Watts of Neons does to your alternator

Seriously though, some good suggestions there Geordie, definately some good starting points, alternator fault makes sense with the continued high load at speed.

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:27 am

GeordieBoy wrote:WTF does any of those few posts actually help me? NO. As for selling me 406 if I cant get it fixed, yeah why not, I'm taking it to Nurburgring next year so I dont want it knacking up at 100mph which is easily achieived and more and throwing me into the barriers. I'd rather have another car that will allow me to do it. Also who says I travel at that speed all the time, I'm talking about private land or track use, I live 40 mile from Croft and it aint that expensive to use it, I also goto some car show were there is a track for ppl to use. I want to be able to use it safely and not have the cars steering, brakes fail at over 100mph when I need them most.

If you cant help with the problem then dont post. Simply as really.

Perhaps heed your own advice then?

"I don't want it knacking up at 100mph" "On the Nurburgring"
I'm sorry... where in the manual does it say the car is a track car and good to constantly be thrashed?

"I'd rather have another car that will allow me to do it"

If you must race around to impress people, off you go and get a Scooby or an EVO.

The 406 IS NOT a race car and IS NOT designed to withstand 100mph constantly. Moaning about it is infantile and useless.

GeordieBoy · Post by **GeordieBoy** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:43 am

Thanks for the help everyone, I'll get it looked at and fault codes checked asap when I get the cash to do it. Its not a rush job as I dont drive like that on public roads.