Clio doesnt rev occasionally!

TJH

Hi all,

On a couple of occasions my 2002 1.2 Clio refuses the rev and accelerate when I switch it on. The gears can be selected ok but no power is transmitted when selected. The engine seems to operates in a motored condition and the car moves extremely slow. However this goes away if switch the engine off and on again.

The clutch pedal feels extremely light at the beinging of its travel, however is firms up for the about 2/3 depressed. 1st gear seems to stick when I move off, but every other gear is easily selected (this could be my inexperience with the car...only newly acquired.)

Should I rev the engine when I start it? I see some do that on petrol engines (im used to diesels).

Just wondering if anyone else has a similar problem with this model or a with a different car. Anyone got an explanation as to whats wrong.

James

congo_90

Op im not too sure what you mean when you say its not revving when you start it up. Does the engine remain off? what does the rev clock show?

When you say your selecting gears, Is the engine on, clutch fully depressed and released as you go to take off? if not then your gearbox i suspect may be gone. Are you switching your engine off and on while driving? If so thats pretty dangerous.

There is no need to "rev" the engine as the ICV will use the right amount of fuel to start and keep your car at idle. Revving it will just waste petrol.

TJH

Sorry if I wasn’t clear enough. When i switch the engine on it idles normally, 100% of the time, and the engine sounds ok (but the problem is that it doesn't rev beyond idle, and engaging a gear doesnt make any difference, clutch and gear selection seem fine). Might it have something to do with the throttle?

It is a strange problem, as when the car functions normally, everything works fine. Also, it is a very rare occurrence. I will try to diagnose the problem a bit better the next time it occurs.

I am pretty sure the gearbox is fine because when the car is running ok every gear can be selected quickly and with ease. There is no noise or scraping from the 'box during operation. The clutch is ok too, apart from the initial sloppiness (just due to wear i guess)

The problem has never occurred beyond a fresh stationary start, so the car isnt moving, but just switching it off and on again fixes the problem. So could it be an electrical fault? Like I said I will be pay more attention the next time it occurs (only happened twice so far). I will get back to you.

El Guapo!

Never heard of this exect problem before but as far as i know some of the clios give trouble with the motorised throttle units. They get blocked up and then sometimes need to be replaced (expensive). The last time I had a problem with this I did the following:
1 REMOVE THROTTLE BODY (only held on by a couple of bolts and a hose or two)
2 CLEAN INSIDE THROTTLE BODY AND BUTTERFLY WITH BRAKE CLEANER UNTIL ITS SPOTLESS.
3 CLEAN ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS WITH ELECTRICAL CONTACTS CLEANER.
4 RE-FIT THROTTLE BODY AND ALL CONNECTIONS.
5 ALSO THERE IS A SENSOR ON THE ACC PEDAL,-DISCONNECT THIS AND CLEAN WITH ELECTRICAL CONTACTS CLEANER.

You could try this and see if it makes any difference. Best of luck!:)

Wink

I think I know what's happening to the OP's car, the same thing happens with my clio.

It sort of misfires on occasion, usually when taking off - like the car almost loses power for about a minute. It happens to me when I take off at roundabouts, or when pulling out onto a road. In my car, the engine maintenance light flashes while it's happening and then stops. It's really annoying and the garage seem to find nothing wrong with the car.

It's a bit of a disaster of a car though, there's always bloody something wrong with it.

DrumSteve

have you checked the lambda sensor it might be that.