Renault clio starting problem

[EurIng]

I have an 02 reg Clio.
Sometimes the engine will not even turn - all the lights are on but the start motor does not activate. Seems to be totally intermittent - all I do is keep trying the key in the lock, rocking the car or walking away for a few minutes and then it works.
Could be a sensor, or the igition lock or anything?? But which sensor?
Or could it be the key fob?
I've checked the battery connections and they are ok.

Anyone got any ideas? Because it is intermittent its difficult to diagnose.

[Simon R]

The most common cause would be the thin wire that goes onto the starter motor solenoid. there should only be 2, 1 thick red wire from battery. 1 thin wire which activates the solenoid. normally this thin wire comes loose or just doesn't make a good connection. next time it doesnt turn over try wiggling this wire & see if it starts.

If it is turning over but not starting,assuming its a petrol engine the most common cause would be a poor connection on the crankshaft sensor. this can be found ontop of the gearbox very close to the engine. it has a metal bar running accross with a bolt at each end.the sensor is the black part in the middle with a plug attached to it. wiggle the plug to start with it should then start. if it does ideally the plug needs to be disconnected & sprayed with switch cleaner...

hope this makes helps, good luck...

[jameswood]

i have had same problem on my clio it is indeed the small wire to the solenoid and wiggling it works but inevitabely it comes loose again eventually..it is located towards the back of the engine compartment quite low down and its easier if you do it whilst someone turns the key

[EurIng]

Thanks for your help, but the car is still playing up. When it does start the engine runs fine, its just the occasional refusal to do anything thats the problem.
When we turn the key, all the lights come on, but the starter motor does not activate. It almost seem like the electronics is not allowing the start sequence to continue.

Could it be the ECU? - someone has suggested it can be a problem.

Any advice would be welcome.

[jett]

I have just had exactly the same problem and I found that all it was, was the battery in the key fob. Replace this battery and it will be fine. If the key fob battery is running low, it will still unlock the doors, but the power isn't strong enough to turn off the immobilser when you put the key in the ignition.

[Toureman]

Hi,

The best place to answer your question is not here but at RENAULT FORUMS.CO.UK I have recently aquired a Renault Laguna and after asking a few questions on that forum I have solved all the problems I had with my car.

This is an independant forum run by Renault enthusiasts.

[EurIng]

Thanks for the reply, but I found the Forum about a month ago - I got some responses but then it stopped.

Here's another one I've used:

http://s12.invisionfree.com/Renault_OC_Forum/index.php

Recently changed the key fob battery and seems to be better (I hope!!)

[DAVY1]

its the crank angle sensor had the same prob its a intermitant prob best off get ur car pluged in 2 make sure �30 well spent

[emmieu]

I have a V reg Clio and had this problem for years. I have replaced the battery but no good. Charged the battery but no good - came to the conclusion that there was an electrical fault and ready to send the damn car to the wreckers because I can't afford and expensive repair jobs. But then read this column and changed the battery in the key fob and voila it started first time (hoorahhh!) Thank you so much for the advice.

[dar888444]

Hello from Melbourne Australia. I've got a 2002 Renault Clio petrol 1.4 16 valve. The car hasn't been starting well for months - the starter motor has been turning a bit slowly (I thought the battery was on the way out). Finally a couple of days ago it wouldn't start. When I turned the key to "start" all I got was one loud "click" from under the bonnet. I got the battery checked, but it was fine. I push started the car and took it to get looked at. It turned out the problem was that the main wire to the starter motor (not the trigger wire) was loose. While I'm here I'll also mention other problems I've had a) dodgy hazard light switch which I could not turn off. b) airbag/service light coming on due to loose wiring connections under passenger seat. c) oil leak which took a while (and $$) to fix - there was oil everywhere. The mechanic at first thought it was the rear main seal and actually replaced it, but the leak persisted. It turned out to be some sort of leaky seal around a "blank" on the rear of the engine. There's so little room under the bonnet you can't see what's going on a lot of the time... Oh, and 2 out of the 4 ignition coils have been replaced so far, and the car has only done 70,000km. Probably worth keeping a spare one in the car.

[PCHowell]

As suggested below, try your spare key / fob, it may be a low key / fob battery.

[PCHowell]

Try using your spare fob / key, it may be the fob / key battery is low and it will not dis-engage the engine immobiliser.

[Powellybuc]

I've had the same problem, replaced battery in key fob to no success. Then done some more research and found another common fault is the crankshaft senor. I replaced this which took no more then 15 mins and problem solved. Plus point these are very cheap to buy. Renault clio extreme 16v 2002.

[rasher007]

hi guys, always sorting problems,BUTNEVER tell lies! Id rather say i dont know than give a "BUM" steer! Ihad an identical intermittent fault on a 54 reg clio but when you turned key and the starter motor did nothing,i sometimes got a high pitch noise from the ECU! I spent ages trawling the forums for answers and many times i went to the car if it wouldnt start.
nearly 2 years ago i added another battery earth lead to the gearbox bellhousing to run with the original renault one bolted to the inner wing,cleaned both battery terminals and iv never had another problem.I hope this helps someone and i recommend anyone to fit one anyway as the original even looks inadequate!!

[Fevanegas]

Same problem here. Changed the battery in the key fob and didnt change a thing, used the spare key and nothing. Someone at Renault told me to change the kind of petrol I was using and start using premium. I did and The car doesn't stall anymore but there's been two days I couldn't start it. I wiggled the wires that are connected to the crankshaft sensor and it starts. Want to change this sensor but the only one I can find here in australia says to be for 1.2L, anyone knows if it would suit mine? I have a 1.4L 16V

[Fevanegas]

Same problem here. But my car also suddenly stalls. Changed the battery in the key fob and didnt change a thing, used the spare key and nothing. Someone at Renault told me to change the kind of petrol I was using (ulp91) and start using premium(98-100). I did and The car doesn't stall anymore but there's been two occasions I couldn't start it. I wiggled the wires that are connected to the crankshaft sensor and it started. I Want to change this sensor but the only one I can find here in australia says to be for 1.2L, anyone knows if it would suit mine? I have a 1.4L 16V

[oscar45]

the most common cause is crank sensor change the sensor its located above the gearbox 2x 10mm bolts part cost 12.00 pounds its the black one for your model any motor discount store will sell these i had the same on mine \most garages only guess at your cost so try this i am sure it will ok after