Last resort boards: Car doesn't start

Carry

This is awkward, because 'car doesn't start' usually brings out comments like: 'is there enough petrol' or 'did she drown' or 'you should pump the gas' - or whatever.

Thing is, my Renault Clio (reg. 02) doesn't start. Sometimes it works, sometimes not, recently it takes me ages to get the bloody thing started. Very annoying when you rely on a car in the countryside

And yes, I asked my local mechanic who couldn't understand it either after checking everything and putting in a new battery.

My guess is the electronics are fecked. But what do I know. And my mechanic apparently either.

Details: The engine rattles on as if she would like to get going, then nothing. Then rattles, then nothing, then... well, nothing. Or sometimes it works, and I'm happy off my way - until I want to drive home again and the same spiel.

If even the mechanic is clueless, maybe someone out there knows what is wrong with that car and what to do?

Would be much appreciated.

dieselbug

Being a Renault, one of the first suspects would be the crankshaft sensor.

Try cleaning it.

What, if any fault codes stored?.

beauf

Try a better mechanic and auto electrician.

Muckie

Used to have a 99 Clio, similar problem.

Start sometimes or not at all.

Turned out in my case to be the O2 sensor.

€60 off ebay, best to get the car checked properly first.

Hope its something simple.

renofan

As dieselbug stated start with the crankshaft/tdc sensor. Its a common fault on Renaults. A look on this website should help http://www.renaultforums.co.uk/


I'd to replace my sensor but on my brother's car a clean sorted his out. They are not expensive if it needs changing and it is a diy job if you follow the renault forum I've linked to.

TBH your mechanic should have checked this if he is any good though.

comanche_cor

dieselbug wrote: »

Being a Renault, one of the first suspects would be the crankshaft sensor.

Try cleaning it.

What, if any fault codes stored?.

I used to have a renault and this was the culprit to a similar problem. Took 10 min to replace..

Carry

Thanks all. I think I go with the advice to find a better mechanic

And for cleaning the crankshaft sensor - at least I know what to look for and what to say to a (new) mechanic.

Carry

Once again: Great advice and comments!

I'll check the Renault forum. Maybe I can do it myself.

renofan

Carry wrote: »

Once again: Great advice and comments!

I'll check the Renault forum. Maybe I can do it myself.

Throw up a picture of your engine bay and I/we can help you take the TDC sensor out. It really is simple. Have you tools though? Socket set?

Carry

renofan wrote: »

Throw up a picture of your engine bay and I/we can help you take the TDC sensor out. It really is simple. Have you tools though? Socket set?

Thank you, that's very kind of you.

I checked the net for the position of the sensor and how it looks like. watched several youtubes how to get it out and clean it, but then looking at my engine bay I don't find anything which even looks remotely like that thing on google images or on youtube.

Besides, I have a box full of tools but no socket set (it's on the shopping list now).

I checked everything I could get my hands on, if anything is loose or is not as it should be, then gave everything a good spray of WD40.

The car starts now smoothly, tried it several times. But that doesn't mean anything. She has her moments...
I'll get the car to the garage anyway and get the sensor exchanged and everything checked to avoid any future troubles.

I miss my old 20 year old Nissan Sunny (RIP). That old banger gave me less trouble in all those years than the Renault in 3.

comanche_cor

Carry wrote: »

I'll get the car to the garage anyway and get the sensor exchanged and everything checked to avoid any future troubles.

A trick that I found when mine was acting up was to wriggle the gear stick when in neutral - this had the effect of shaking the TDC and it would fire up again. Got away with this most times ... do I was stranded in a garden centre for a about 20min trying it once wondering how long I had till the battery gave out!! :eek:

renofan

http://www.renaultforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=10062

The above link is for pictures someone put up on Renaultforums.co.uk

Its the same for all renault petrol engines. On your car you'll have to take out the airbox (just like it has been done on the second picture), and you should be able to see the sensor at the side of the engine. Its 10mm or 13mm bolts holding it in. It really is a simple job to do.

Here is the sensor pointed out



And here is a link to one out (for sale on ebay - see how cheap they are!)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Clio-MK2-1-2-ACP-Crankshaft-Pulse-Sensor-Genuine-Trade-Price-New-/350754552067?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Cars+Year%3A2002%7CCar+Make%3ARenault%7CModel%3AClio&hash=item51aa99b903

slimjimmc

comanche_cor wrote: »

A trick that I found when mine was acting up was to wriggle the gear stick when in neutral - this had the effect of shaking the TDC and it would fire up again. Got away with this most times ... do I was stranded in a garden centre for a about 20min trying it once wondering how long I had till the battery gave out!! :eek:

How on earth would wriggling the gear lever shake the TDC, you'd have to shake the whole gearbox and engine to have any effect. The TDC is bolted solidly to the bell housing.