'04 Clio 1.2 Petrol won't start

Toonyank · Unread post by **Toonyank** » 20 May 2008, 22:42

Hi,

I am new here.

My wife has a '04 Clio 1.2 Dynamic (40,000 miles) and last week has problems starting it. Kept cranking and cranking and nothing. Then I got home expecting a dead battery and one 5 second crank nothing then second crank started right up no probs after that for a week.

This morning a week later the same problem. The thing is with modern engines I haven't a clue where to look. There is plenty of crank amps and the battery seems very strong just no indication what could be wrong. It doesn't even think of firing. If it starts and I take it to a garage with it running will they just look at me weird as if to say "what's the problem it's running" or will they have understood this sort of thing? Could it be the ECU?

Just as a stab I asked a neighbor and he mantioned a problem that happened to him and he mentions the crankshaft sensor (or maybe he said sender) can't remember.

Well to make a short story long has anyone experienced this?

Any advice will be welcomed.

Greg

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 20 May 2008, 23:34

Greg -

First things first :
When a petrol engine wont start, but cranks fine, the first thing to look for is sparking from the ignition. That will instantly tell you which route to choose on further faulttracing.

There is another common hint, but not always usable :
at the moment you turn the ignition key (before you crank/start the engine) the fuel pump should charge the fuel, by running for some 1.5 seconds. This is heard as a faint buzzing from somewhere behind.
Be sure radio, heater blower etc. is turned off.

You may simply try twisting the ignition key on/off - NOT hitting the starter crank position - several times to ensure the fuel pump starts and eventually charge the fuel system. The fuel pump is fed off a relay in turn controlled by the engine ECU.

Toonyank · Unread post by **Toonyank** » 21 May 2008, 07:20

Thanks for that. I did notice that the fuel pump is working. I was going to check if there was spark but had no one with me to assist me and so will try this afternoon. If there is no spark, do you have any ideas? I think I will have to get a diagnostics done because I don't want to keep guessing and putting unnecessary cash into it. Maybe that will show errors in the log. The thing is I will have to get it towed to a diagnostics centre anyway.

Again thanks for your help.

evilally · Unread post by **evilally** » 23 May 2008, 12:56

It could be an immobilzer issue? On my clio, sometimes if I put the key in and turn it too fast the car won't start as the immobiliser hasn't been deactivated yet. If I put the key in and put the ignition on for a couple of seconds, then start the car, it always starts. It's not really a fault as such, but I have noted that a lot of clio owners seem to get this issue.

Toonyank · Unread post by **Toonyank** » 23 May 2008, 13:03

Im will give that a try even though I have waited until I hear the feul pump working. I will wait say 5 seconds or so just to see.

rolphy1975 · Unread post by **rolphy1975** » 24 May 2008, 16:28

hi, i have a 1998 megane which had a similar problem and it turned out it was the crank sensor or TDC sensor as is sometimes called (top dead center). unplug it and remove it by undoing the two 10mm bolts that hold it in and clean it with contact cleaner (wd40 or similar will do) and replace. if this does not help it may be faulty and a new one needed (about 20-25 quid i think) or the other thing may be possibly the coil packs are faulty. hope this helps!

Toonyank · Unread post by **Toonyank** » 25 May 2008, 18:24

Can you tell me where the sensor is located? I did have a friend mention that about the crank sensor.

Toonyank · Unread post by **Toonyank** » 27 May 2008, 18:35

Thanks all for your advice!!

It turned out to be the TDC sensor and a cost of £25 so well worth checking out this forum.

Thanks again,

Greg