2004 Renault Megane - Won't start

danthefan · 27-03-2011 1:11pm #1

The above is coming up on the display and the car won't start.

I drove the car this very morning without any problem. I accidentally left the lights on, went out to turn them off.

The service light is on too I think.

Does anyway know about this problem or know how to fix it?

Gene Hunt · 27-03-2011 3:12pm

It would be worth checking the power steering fluid, I remember having the same problem with a car and got it towed to the dealer, turned out it was low on power steering fluid, sounds stupid I know but mechanic said the computer displays a steering wheel sign or engine management sign to let you know there's a problem and locks the steering to stop you driving the car for safety reasons, so could be fluid or power steering pump but either way you're going to need it put on the computer to see what fault comes up.

Guy:Incognito · 27-03-2011 4:51pm

Have you had the car long? Is it just the steering lock like on any other car that you have to free before starting? I know the missus hates shen the steering lock is on her Scenic necause she ends up like the guy standing outside a car pulling the handel as the guy inside is tryign to open the locks and doesnt work :-) It's easy once you know how though.

If it is, you need to give he wheel a bit of a turn as you push the start button and itunlocks the steering, same as wiggling it while turnign the key on a normal car.

slimjimmc · 27-03-2011 5:25pm

Gene Hunt wrote: »

It would be worth checking the power steering fluid, I remember having the same problem with a car and got it towed to the dealer, turned out it was low on power steering fluid, sounds stupid I know but mechanic said the computer displays a steering wheel sign or engine management sign to let you know there's a problem and locks the steering to stop you driving the car for safety reasons, so could be fluid or power steering pump but either way you're going to need it put on the computer to see what fault comes up.

That would be a hugely big job, the Megane II has electric power steering, it ain't got fluid, just a big electric motor behind the dash.

Since you left the lights on the first thing I'd check is battery condition, a weak battery can play funny tricks on an ECU.

Guy:Incognito · 27-03-2011 5:27pm

slimjimmc wrote: »

That would be a hugely big job, the Megane II has electric power steering, it ain't got fluid, just a big electric motor behind the dash. play funny tricks on an ECU.

Check is the power steering tank topped up with electricity so.

danthefan · 27-03-2011 5:56pm

I just tried the car again, not getting any message about steering being locked now but the car still won't start. The lights and radio do start though, would they start if the battery was dead?

Guy:Incognito · 27-03-2011 5:59pm

Was there clicking coming from behind the dash before when tryign to start it and the message coming up?

danthefan · 27-03-2011 6:04pm

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Was there clicking coming from behind the dash before when tryign to start it and the message coming up?

Yeah there was a clicking alright. Please tell me this is easily fixed:(

Guy:Incognito · 27-03-2011 6:07pm

danthefan wrote: »

Yeah there was a clicking alright.

Yeah just sounds like the standard steering wheel lock.

is it doing anything now at all? Can't see why it would run the battery down because th eMegane wont crank the engine unless your foot is on the brake/clutch and the steering lock is disengaged so not like a normal car that you could crank and crank till the battery runs flat.

EDIT, just seeign the bit about the lights, how long were they on for?Is the battery original? It's possible the battery wasnt great then the lights drained it with a small bit left then tryign to start it and the electrics )radio and the likes) tipped it over the edge.

danthefan · 27-03-2011 6:13pm

What's happening now is I insert the card, it tells me to press brake/clutch + start. When I do this the lights on the dash continually flash on and off, and the engine does not start. I can still turn on the headlights and the radio.

The reason I think the battery might be gone is because I left the headlights on from about 830am until 230pm today.

I don't know much about the battery, I bought the car 2nd hand.

slimjimmc · 27-03-2011 7:16pm

How did you leave the headlights on in the first place since even if you left the stalk in the on position they should automatically switch off when you open the door. Did you turn them on afterwards or did they come on on their own?

danthefan · 27-03-2011 7:20pm

slimjimmc wrote: »

How did you leave the headlights on in the first place since even if you left the stalk in the on position they should automatically switch off when you open the door. Did you turn them on afterwards or did they come on on their own?

I just looked out the window and they were on, not sure how it happened.

2004 Renault Megane - Won't start

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