Peugeot Expert III 12V Battery and Jump Starting

Hello and welcome. In this post we look at the 12 V battery on the Peugeot Expert III van (2016-2024). We cover where to find it, jump starting from another battery, charging with a charger, and disconnecting and reconnecting it.

Quick Reference

Lead-acid starter batteries

This section explains how to start the engine using another battery and how to charge a flat battery. Before you start, read these safety points.

• The batteries contain harmful substances: sulphuric acid and lead.
• Never throw a used battery away with household waste. Take it to a designated collection point, in line with the regulations.
• Protect your eyes and face before handling the battery.
• Always work in a well ventilated area, away from naked flames and sources of sparks, to avoid any risk of explosion or fire.
• Wash your hands when you have finished.
• Always replace the battery with one of equivalent specification.

On vans with an electric motor, a flat accessory battery means you can no longer start the motor or recharge the traction battery. Before working on the accessory battery, select mode P, switch off the ignition, and check that the instrument panel is off and that the van is not being charged. Never use the accessory battery to jump-start another vehicle or to charge another vehicle's battery.

The symbols on the battery mean:

• No sparks or naked flames, 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 make you go blind or cause severe burns.
• Refer to the handbook for more information.
• Explosive gases can be present close to the battery.

Access to the battery

The battery is under the bonnet.

1. Open the bonnet: pull the interior release lever, then release the exterior safety catch.
2. Secure the stay: fit the bonnet stay to hold the bonnet open.
3. Uncover the terminal: remove the plastic cover from the (+) terminal, if your van has one.

You cannot reach the battery's (-) terminal. Instead, there is a remote earth point near the battery. For more on the bonnet and the engine, see the corresponding sections of the handbook.

Starting using another battery

If your battery is flat, you can start the engine with a backup battery (either a separate one or one from another vehicle) and jump leads, or with a battery booster.

Before you begin:

• 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 your 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 van has one.
2. Red cable, flat battery: connect the red cable to the (+) terminal of the flat battery, at the metal elbow.
3. Red cable, backup battery: connect the other end of the red cable to the (+) terminal of the backup battery or booster.
4. Green or black cable, backup battery: connect one end of the green or black cable to the (-) terminal of the backup battery or booster, or to an earth point on the assisting vehicle.
5. Green or black cable, your van: connect the other end of the green or black cable to the earth point near your battery.
6. Run the assisting vehicle: start the engine of the assisting vehicle and leave it running for a few minutes.
7. Start your van: operate the starter on your van and let the engine run. If it does not start straight away, switch off the ignition and wait a few moments before trying again.
8. Let it settle: wait for the engine to return to idle.
9. Remove the leads: disconnect the jump leads in the reverse order.
10. Refit the cover: put the plastic cover back on the (+) terminal, if your van has one.
11. Recharge: leave the engine running for at least 30 minutes with the van 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, may be affected. With an automatic gearbox, never try to start the engine by pushing the van.

Charging the battery using a battery charger

Keeping the battery well charged gives it the longest service life. You may need to charge it if you mainly make short journeys, or if the van will be off the road for several weeks. A PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop can advise you.

If you charge the battery yourself:

• Use only a charger compatible with lead-acid batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
• Follow the charger manufacturer's instructions.
• Never reverse the polarities.
• You do not need to disconnect the battery.

1. Ignition off: switch off the ignition.
2. Consumers off: switch off all electrical equipment, such as the audio system, lighting and wipers.
3. Charger off: switch off the charger before connecting its cables, 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 van has one.
6. Red cable: connect the charger's positive (+) red cable to the battery's (+) terminal.
7. Black cable: connect the charger's negative (-) black cable to the earth point on the van.
8. Finish safely: when charging is complete, switch off the charger before disconnecting its cables from the battery.

If the 12 V charger label is present, use only a 12 V charger to avoid irreversible damage to the electrical components. Never try to charge a frozen battery, as there is a risk of explosion. If the battery has frozen, have it checked by a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop, who will make sure the internal parts are not damaged and the case has not cracked, which could let toxic and corrosive acid leak out.

Disconnecting/reconnecting the battery

If the van will be unused for an extended period, disconnecting the battery helps keep enough charge to start the engine.

Before disconnecting the battery:

1. Close everything: close all the doors, the tailgate and the windows.
2. Switch off equipment: turn off everything that uses electricity, such as the audio system, wipers and lamps.
3. Ignition off: 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. Uncover the terminal: depending on equipment, lift the plastic cover on the (+) terminal.
2. Release the clamp: raise the lever fully.
3. Remove the clamp: lift the clamp off the terminal.

To reconnect the (+) terminal:

1. Raise the lever: lift the lever fully.
2. Fit the clamp: place the open clamp back on the (+) terminal.
3. Seat the clamp: push the clamp fully down.
4. Lock it: lower the lever to lock the clamp.
5. Refit the 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.

After reconnecting, 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, reset:

• The remote control key or electronic key (depending on version).
• The electric windows.
• The date and time.
• The preset radio stations.

Stop & Start may not work during the first trip after the engine is started. It only becomes available again once the van has been left stationary for a continuous period, which depends on the outside temperature and the battery's state of charge (up to about 8 hours).

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the battery on a Peugeot Expert van?

The battery is under the bonnet. You cannot reach its (-) terminal, so use the remote earth point near the battery instead.

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

Leave the engine running for at least 30 minutes with the van stationary, so the battery reaches an adequate state of charge. Driving off straight away may affect functions such as Stop & Start.

Can I use a 24 V booster to start my Expert?

No. Never use a battery booster of 24 V or higher, and check that any backup battery is 12 V with a capacity at least equal to that of your flat battery.

Why is Stop & Start not working after I reconnected the battery?

Stop & Start may not work during the trip after the first engine start. It returns after the van has been stationary for a continuous period, which can be up to about 8 hours depending on the outside temperature and the battery's charge.

A flat battery is a nuisance, but with the right leads, the correct order and a few safety precautions, you can usually get your Expert running again. Keep this guide handy, and if anything looks damaged or the problem keeps coming back, contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

More Peugeot Expert Guides

If a warning lamp comes on after a battery problem, check our guides to the Peugeot Expert red warning lights, the Peugeot Expert orange warning lights and the Peugeot Expert 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 Expert model guides.

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