Renault Clio staring problem

[MattF]

Just wondered if anyone might have any suggestions as to possible causes. On turning the key, it'll do anything ranging from nothing at all to turning over on the starter for upto five seconds or so before cutting off, but doesn't fire. For a week or two symptoms had been same on the key but it would start if it was bumped, apparently. Now it won't even do that. Anything fairly simple or straight forward to check? Cheers.

 

[waldershelf]

It's French, if it's more than two years old the electrics will be shot.

 

[visor_down]

had similar on phase2 clio, was the crankshaft position sensor, although it would always turn over, from what you say it is not evening turning over on some occasions

 

[BrokenBiker]

for what its worth my megane had issues like this clip and changing crank angle sensor and cam position sensor sorted it out

 

[p0689109]

Tell it to stop looking at you if it is a staring problem!!!!
If you mean starting problem the obvious start would be battery terminals, car earths, battery condition and starter motor in that order. Checking the battery voltage alone is not enough to check it for starting though as you will need to get it load tested. Most garages will do it for free for you but of course that means either the car or the battery has to get there!

 

[garethp]

Plug a code reader in?

 

[AndyStobbs]

As advised check the other stuff first. Non functional starter motor is easy to diagnose.

 

[doubleboost]

Dry joint on the small starter wire
Very common fault
(or the starter is nackerd)

 

[MattF]

Tell it to stop looking at you if it is a staring problem!!!!

I could have sworn there was a t in that when I posted. Bleedin' sticky keyboard keys.

If you mean starting problem the obvious start would be battery terminals, car earths, battery condition and starter motor in that order. Checking the battery voltage alone is not enough to check it for starting though as you will need to get it load tested. Most garages will do it for free for you but of course that means either the car or the battery has to get there!

Battery's been drop tested, and I popped it on charge overnight the other day, off the vehicle, to check it wasn't just low, and checked/cleaned the connections up when refitting. Didn't make a jot of difference, unfortunately. Didn't think the battery was likely the cause as it wouldn't even start when I had the Surf hooked up to it the other day to try jumping it, but thought it best to double check the simple stuff first.

 

[MattF]

had similar on phase2 clio, was the crankshaft position sensor, although it would always turn over, from what you say it is not evening turning over on some occasions

for what its worth my megane had issues like this clip and changing crank angle sensor and cam position sensor sorted it out

With the crank sensor, is there any way of testing it, or is it just a straight replace and test scenario? Where is the sensor on these things btw?

Plug a code reader in?

Ain't got one.

Dry joint on the small starter wire
Very common fault
(or the starter is nackerd)

Dry joint on the starter unit itself? Is that on the solenoid unit?

As advised check the other stuff first. Non functional starter motor is easy to diagnose.

Aye, it's the intermittent bit which is a beggar. This is one of those things I'm not really chuffed about looking at, but it'd bug me if I didn't at least give it a quick shot at getting it sorted.

Btw, thanks for all of the advice and suggestions chaps.

 

[MattF]

It's French, if it's more than two years old the electrics will be shot.

I take it you don't have much faith in the reliability of the French stuff then?

 

[Wallace]

I've seen people change starter motors on more than one occasion just to find the fault is still there and it's the ignition switch contacts or a faulty relay.

 

[p0689109]

On the subject of ignition switch faults, I had an obscure fault on a Jeep Cherokee a few years ago. It used to just cut out, the most clenching was when on the M4 outside lane on the speed limit when everything went dead. Luckily managed to get in the hard shoulder, with no power steering as well. It started ok and the fault did not raise its ugly head for ages. Going across the Derby dales was the next time and it did it a few times and was a bugger to get going. Eventually a mechanic on the Jeep forum suggested the ign switch reckoning with age the contacts inside it get corroded and give intermittent contact. Of course the Jeep agents had not got a clue. Wanted me to leave it with them for them to run about in it to see if the fault reoccurred. I did not take up the offer! Changed the switch and job done. The starter motor, if on its way out, can take too much power to turn itself and not leave any for the spark.

 

[BrokenBiker]

the cam position sensor is under the inlet manifold, next to no4 plug an coil pack. The crank sensor is just above the flywheel on mine but I think the bottow of your engine may be a bit different with sensor locations and so on. I worked on my mates clio a few weeks ago and it looked different

 

[AndyStobbs]

We don't even know which clio it is, or which engine code. Two separate faults is my reckoning.

 

[the snooper]

immobiliser playing up ?

 

[BrokenBiker]

We don't even know which clio it is, or which engine code. Two separate faults is my reckoning.

that's a good point actually, for some reason I just assumed it was the same as my mates 58 plate lol

 

[doubleboost]

If the engine is not cranking it has nothing at all to do with the crank angle senor lol