Renault Clio that turns over but does not start

[Claud123]

I have a 'w' reg Renault Clio and for the past month ive had problems with the car starting. It is very irratic, sometimes its fine and other days i will drive the car to the shops come back out and the car will not turn over, i have to try 3 or 4 times before the car starts. The car always starts when it hasnt been used - ie in the mornings the problem comes when you drive the car and then stop it and start it again so it makes going to the shop immpossible! The car went into the garage 2 weeks ago and they changed the plugs and coil pack and it didnt seem to have any problems for 2 weeks until last night. Someone has suggested it could be because i have no batteries in my key fob, im due to get these changed shortly. Any ideas what it could be?

[TWR]

Hi, with respect to the last answer, take the car back to the garage an explain that they have not solved the problem totaly.

[Toureman]

When you say "the car will not turn over" do you mean the starter does not turn the engine over or do you mean the engine will not start when the starter does turn the engine over?

[Claud123]

The engine turns over but it does not start, it takes me 3 or four attempts to start it. I cannot take it back to the garage again as they told me that that they may not have solved the issus as they couldnt get it to play up for them and without seeing the car when its doing it then they couldnt get to the bottom of the problem. Im going to try the batteries in the key fob. I cannot keep spending money out on the car if no one can ever find the problem!

[4getmenot]

I had this problem and in the end it was the connector onto the battery. If yours are the same as mine were its a stupid ring that doesnmt connect fully. A mate of mate took it off and changed it for a clamp that screws onto battery points

[Claud123]

That last answer is interesting because about 3 months ago we went outside one morning and the car wouldnt start at all, it wouldnt even turn over. My dad came round and changed the battery for a new one. He connected this all up and the car started fine. I returned home that day to start the car and the same problem happened again, my dad took off connections to the battery and cleaned these all off and the car was fine, until 2 months later when it started doing this so maybe that is the problem. Just seems strange it has all started since the battery issue 3 months ago. Whar is this clamp thing he used as my Dad might be able to have a look at this for me.

[4getmenot]

I went through a couple of batterys thinking it was that then they just kept losing charge, then a neighbout who's amechanic said he'd seen it alot and out these clamp things on, basically a clamp that he connected to the wire and then clamped round connecters. Hard to explain but I will try find a pic

[Claud123]

That would be great if you could then my Dad could take a look at it. What reg is your Clio? Its so annoying because i feel like i cant drive the car anywhere incase it wont start again and i really dont wanna spend more money putting it into a garage. Its only done 43,000 miles which is good for a car of this age. Im sure its got something to do with the battery connection. The garage 2 weeks ago changed the plugs and coil pack which seemed to have sorted it for a couple of weeks but it did it for the first time again last night.

[4getmenot]

jeez you dont know how long that took me to find that under hoojimmyflip :-)

http://relimg.reliancemarine.com/Q859.jpg

here you go although mine is a p reg it may be that, if it is just a ring that connects it doesnt connect fully. I;ve never had any probs since that was put on. x

[Claud123]

Where do you get these from>?

[4getmenot]

my neighbour :-) Do you know any mechanic that could maybe steal a few

[Claud123]

No! Does your neighbour know where i could purchase them? Ie Halfords?

[4getmenot]

as far as I can see motorworld do them. they are called marine battery terminals. you could try halfords or any other motor shop

http://www.motor-world.co.uk/search.php?PHPSES SID=fd0df9b740fd4e9ad8b5bb125f01bd73&keywords= marine+battery+terminal

[4getmenot]

you want one more like my first pic though if your batterys same as mine

[Bravehearted]

My advice....don't buy anything French

[david1702198]

i agree, they might be good at th old wine making but they are rank rotten at making reliable motors!!!

[Claud123]

Yes im aware of that and i wouldnt again. But the car has been very reliable and great up until now. I cant get rid of it for another 2 years yet.

[4getmenot]

mines been ok apart from te battery, its affordable. Cant all be rich and have the perfect car

[4getmenot]

oh and the leaky sunroof :-) but gets me from A to B :-)

[Toureman]

Now I have all the clues.........

All thats causing your car starting problems is the TDC Sensor.

This is a Sensor that picks up a sgnal from the Flywheel that tells the ECU when to fire the spark plugs, it is fitted on top and in the centre of the clutch housing.

[Toureman]

Sorry I clicked the wrong button before I finished, here's the rest.........

It's held in place by 2x10mm bolts, remove it, clean the small magnetic tip until it is shiny and it will start OK.