Peugeot 508 II 12V Battery and Jump Starting

Hello and welcome. This article covers the 12 V battery on the Peugeot 508 II (2018-2023): reaching it, jump starting, charging with a charger, and disconnecting and reconnecting it. We also look at the two accessory batteries on Rechargeable hybrid versions.

Quick Reference

Lead-acid starter batteries

Your 508's starter battery is a lead-acid battery. It contains harmful substances, sulphuric acid and lead, so it needs careful handling and proper disposal.

• Disposal: Dispose of a used battery in line with regulations at a designated collection point. Never put it out with household waste.
• Protection: Protect your eyes and face before handling the battery, and wash your hands afterwards.
• Ventilation: Always work on the battery in a well ventilated area, away from naked flames and sources of sparks, to avoid any risk of explosion or fire.
• Frozen battery: Never try to charge a frozen battery, as there is a risk of explosion. Have it checked by a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop, who will make sure the internal components are not damaged and the case has not cracked. A cracked case could leak toxic and corrosive acid.
• Control units and LED headlamps: Never connect the negative jump lead to the metal part of the electronic control units or to the back of the headlamps, as this can destroy them. Use the remote earth point provided for this purpose.
• Push starting: Never try to start the engine by pushing the car.

The symbols on the battery remind you of these points:

• No sparks or naked flames, and no smoking.
• Always protect your eyes: explosive gases can cause blindness and injury.
• Keep the battery out of the reach of children.
• The battery contains sulphuric acid, which can cause blindness or severe burns.
• Explosive gases can be present close to the battery.
• Refer to the handbook for more information.

With petrol/Diesel engines

On petrol and Diesel versions, the battery is under the bonnet. Here is how to reach it, start the engine from another battery, charge it, and disconnect and reconnect it.

Accessing the battery

1. Release the bonnet: Pull the internal release lever, then the external safety catch.
2. Raise the bonnet: Lift it to reach the battery.

The (+) positive terminal has a quick-release terminal. The (-) negative terminal is not accessible, so a remote earth point is provided near the battery.

Starting using another battery

If the battery is flat, you can start the engine with a backup battery (external or from another vehicle) and jump leads, or with a battery booster. Before you start, keep these warnings in mind:

• Never start the engine by connecting a battery charger.
• Never use a battery booster of 24 V or higher.
• Check that the backup battery has a nominal voltage of 12 V and a capacity at least equal to that of the flat battery.
• Make sure the two vehicles are not touching each other.
• Switch off everything that uses electricity on both vehicles, such as the audio system, wipers and lighting.
• Keep the jump leads well away from the engine's moving parts, such as the fan and belt.
• Do not disconnect the (+) terminal while the engine is running.

1. Uncover the terminal: Lift the plastic cover on the (+) terminal, if your car has one.
2. Red cable: Connect the red cable to the (+) terminal of the flat battery (at the metal elbow), then to the (+) terminal of the backup battery or booster.
3. Green or black cable, first end: Connect one end to the (-) terminal of the backup battery or booster, or to an earth point on the assisting vehicle.
4. Green or black cable, second end: Connect the other end to the remote earth point on your 508.
5. Assisting vehicle: Start its engine and leave it running for a few minutes.
6. Your car: Operate the starter and let the engine run. If it does not start straight away, switch off the ignition and wait a few moments before trying again.
7. Idle: Wait for the engine to return to idle.
8. Disconnect: Remove the jump leads in reverse order.
9. Refit the cover: Put the plastic cover back on the (+) terminal, if your car has one.
10. Recharge: Let the engine run for at least 30 minutes with the car stationary, so the battery reaches an adequate state of charge.

If you drive off straight away before the battery has enough charge, some functions, such as Stop & Start, can be affected.

Charging the battery using a battery charger

Keeping the battery well charged is essential for a long service life. You may need to charge it if you mostly make short journeys, or if the car will be off the road for several weeks. Consult a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop. If you charge it yourself, use only a charger compatible with 12 V lead-acid batteries, follow the charger manufacturer's instructions and never reverse the polarities. You do not need to disconnect the battery.

1. Ignition: Switch the ignition off.
2. Electrical consumers: Switch off the audio system, lighting, wipers and so on.
3. Charger off: Switch off the charger before connecting its cables to the battery, to avoid dangerous sparks.
4. Check the cables: Make sure the charger cables are in good condition.
5. Uncover the terminal: Lift the plastic cover on the (+) terminal, if your car has one.
6. Red cable: Connect the positive (+) red cable to the (+) terminal of the battery.
7. Black cable: Connect the negative (-) black cable to the earth point on the car.
8. Finish: At the end of charging, switch off the charger before disconnecting its cables from the battery.

If your car carries the label calling for a 12 V charger, use only a 12 V charger to avoid irreversible damage to the electrical components.

Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery

If the car will not be used for an extended period, disconnecting the battery is recommended so it keeps enough charge to start the engine. Before you do so:

1. Openings: Close all doors, the boot, the windows and the roof.
2. Electrical devices: Switch off the audio system, wipers, lamps and so on.
3. Ignition: Switch off the ignition and wait for 4 minutes.

Once you have reached the battery, you only need to disconnect the (+) terminal, which has a quick-release clamp.

To disconnect the (+) terminal:

1. Cover: Depending on equipment, lift the plastic cover on the (+) terminal.
2. Lever: Raise the lever fully to release the clamp.
3. Clamp: Lift the clamp off the terminal.

To reconnect the (+) terminal:

1. Lever: Raise the lever fully.
2. Clamp: Refit the open clamp on the (+) terminal.
3. Push down: Push the clamp fully down.
4. Lock: Lower the lever to lock the clamp.
5. Cover: Depending on equipment, lower the plastic cover on the (+) terminal.

Do not force the lever. If the clamp is not positioned correctly, it will not lock, so start the procedure again.

Stop & Start may not work during the trip after the first engine start. It will only be available again after the car has been immobilised for a continuous period, which depends on the outside temperature and the battery's state of charge (up to about 8 hours).

Following reconnection

After reconnecting the battery, switch on the ignition and wait 1 minute before starting the engine, so the electronic systems can initialise. If minor problems persist, contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop. After reconnecting the battery, reinitialise this equipment:

• Electronic key.
• Sunroof and electric blind.
• Electric windows.
• Date and time.
• Preset radio stations.

When you switch on the ignition after reconnecting, the message "Collision risk detection system fault" appears on the instrument panel. This is perfectly normal, and the message disappears while you drive.

With Rechargeable hybrid engines

Rechargeable hybrid versions of the 508 have two accessory batteries, one at the front and one at the rear. To replace them, contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop. Never use these batteries to start or jump start another vehicle.

Accessing the front battery

The front battery is under the bonnet.

1. Release the bonnet: Pull the internal release lever, then the external safety catch.
2. Raise the bonnet: Lift it to reach the battery.

The (+) positive terminal has a quick-release terminal. The (-) negative terminal is not accessible, so a remote earth point is provided near the battery.

Accessing the rear battery

The rear battery is in the boot. Lift the boot floor to reach it. The (+) positive terminal is protected by a red plastic cover and is not accessible. The (-) negative terminal has a black quick-release connector.

Charging the front battery using a battery charger

Keeping the front battery well charged is essential for a long service life. You may need to charge it if you mostly make short journeys, or if the car will be off the road for several weeks. Consult a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop. If you charge it yourself, use only a charger compatible with 12 V lead-acid batteries, follow the charger manufacturer's instructions and never reverse the polarities. You do not need to disconnect the battery.

1. Ignition: Switch the ignition off.
2. Electrical consumers: Switch off the audio system, lighting, wipers and so on.
3. Charger off: Switch off the charger before connecting its cables to the battery, to avoid dangerous sparks.
4. Check the cables: Make sure the charger cables are in good condition.
5. Uncover the terminal: Lift the plastic cover on the (+) terminal, if your car has one.
6. Red cable: Connect the positive (+) red cable to the (+) terminal of the battery.
7. Black cable: Connect the negative (-) black cable to the earth point on the car.
8. Finish: At the end of charging, switch off the charger before disconnecting its cables from the battery.

Disconnecting and reconnecting the accessory batteries

Use this procedure if the car will be immobilised for a long time. Before disconnecting the batteries:

1. Doors: Open the driver's door and the boot.
2. Other doors: Close all the other doors.
3. Electrical consumers: Switch off the audio system, wipers, lamps and so on.
4. Ignition: Switch off the ignition and wait for the READY indicator lamp to go out.
5. Wait: Wait a further 4 minutes.

Never reverse the order of the disconnection and reconnection steps, as this risks irreversible damage.

To disconnect:

1. Rear battery: Disconnect the (-) terminal using the black quick-release connector.
2. Front battery, lever: Raise the lever on the red quick-release clamp fully to release the clamp.
3. Front battery, clamp: Lift the clamp off the (+) terminal.

To reconnect:

1. Front battery, lever: Raise the lever on the red quick-release clamp fully.
2. Front battery, clamp: Refit the open clamp on the (+) terminal.
3. Front battery, push down: Push the clamp fully down.
4. Front battery, lock: Lower the lever to lock the clamp.
5. Rear battery: Connect the (-) terminal using the black quick-release connector.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the 12 V battery on a Peugeot 508?

On petrol and Diesel versions, the battery is under the bonnet. The negative terminal is not accessible, so you use the remote earth point near the battery instead.

How long should I run my Peugeot 508 after a jump start?

Let the engine run for at least 30 minutes with the car stationary so the battery reaches an adequate state of charge. Driving off straight away can affect functions such as Stop & Start.

Can I jump start another car with my Peugeot 508 hybrid?

No. You must not start or jump start another vehicle using the accessory batteries of a Rechargeable hybrid 508.

Why does my 508 show "Collision risk detection system fault" after reconnecting the battery?

This message is perfectly normal when you switch on the ignition after reconnecting the battery. It disappears while you drive.

Handled correctly, a flat battery on your Peugeot 508 is easy to deal with. Follow the steps in the right order, keep the safety warnings in mind, and if anything is unclear or the problem keeps coming back, contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

More Peugeot 508 Guides

If a warning lamp comes on after a battery problem, see our guides to Peugeot 508 red warning lights, Peugeot 508 orange warning lights and Peugeot 508 green and blue indicator lamps.

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This is an independent guide, not an official Peugeot publication. Check your vehicle’s own manual before carrying out any work.

Related guides: Peugeot 508 model guides.

Cover adapted from a photograph by Vauxford — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (AI edited).