Intermittently Not Starting

[mnorton]

Hi I have a renault clio grande 1.2 - 2000 reg which intermittently has problems starting basically takes 5-6 goes (sometimes more !!) to get the engine to start occasionally. It tries to start but with no success, does anyone have any ideas what could be causing this ?

[cornflakes5210]

i have something similar with my 1.2 2001 i turn the key and nothing happens not even a slight movement in the starter motor i reckon its the immobiliser not recognising the key or something but it doesnt cause me major problems!!

[mnorton]

Originally Posted by cornflakes5210

i have something similar with my 1.2 2001 i turn the key and nothing happens not even a slight movement in the starter motor i reckon its the immobiliser not recognising the key or something but it doesnt cause me major problems!!

my problem is slightly different the starter motor tries but doesn't start the engine correctly any further ideas ?

[Alpieman]

My Clio 2001 Automatic have a similar issue. Once every 3-4 weeks it fails to start. The lights on the dashboard look okay. When I turn the ignition I hear a click coming from the relay box. I also hear a continuous buzzing noise coming from the front of the car between the engine and radiator panel. After several tries the buzzing stops and the engine starts. This happened several times so far. That is very annoying. It took about 15 minutes to get it started today. I am wondering if i thas something to do with lose plugs not contacting properly? That must be something electrical.

Originally Posted by mnorton

my problem is slightly different the starter motor tries but doesn't start the engine correctly any further ideas ?

[mnorton]

Well i had the problem the other day again so called out the AA however when they arrived the damn thing started first time (Mechanics magic) however the mechanic did give me a glimmer of hope that he had come across similar problems before and he said that it might be the crank shaft sensor, he says if you wiggle the wire which he showed me where then 9/10 times it will fix the problem, seemed to indicate this was common with clio's

[Shortie]

A faulty flywheel pickup sensor causes the car to crank over but not fire up into life, theres two differnt types so take note of the angle the connection plug

[big-bill3]

Our 8V 1.6 RXE had a similar problem.
Sometimes it would only make a click, sometimes not even that. It seemed to be better after charging the battery.

In the end it was bad earthing.
There is one earth lead from the battery -ve to the chassis and then a separate lead from the chassis to the engine block.
The auto electric people who cured it made a new Y-lead that has one leg to the chassis and the other leg to the engine block.

So far so good

John

[whiskypapaecho]

Similar problem with 2001 Clio 1.2 16V. Checked all the usual things - engine earth leads etc. Problem was starter motor, which we had ignored as it had been replaced less than 13 months earlier. Therefore do not assume that relatively new compents are immune from problems.

[adam5412]

THE problem is the starter motor. common fault with clios as renault cant make starter motors that stand the rigors of time. my clio would start then 30 mins later would not start at all. If i kept turning the key it would eventually start but after time it would not start at all. Took to garage said loads of clios are being brought in for the same thing. Clio starts everytime first time now

[iangreen24]

hi there i have just encountered the same problem with my 1.2 grande.

it turns and turns and turns but wont fire, next day it will start first time, next day mayby etc etc.

can anyone tell me where this crank shaft sensor is so i can replace it and eliminate it from my enquires?

immoboliser light extinguishes every time so i think it is nothing to do with this.

many thanks.

[cluelessme]

I too would like to know where the crank shaft sensor is located on a clio 1.2 Grande (2000) ?? Same syptoms - engine turns but doesn't fire?

Any help welcome

Thanks in advance

[iangreen24]

hi cluelessme,

i had my crankshaft sensor also known as a top dead centre sensor (TDC) replaced a few weeks ago and now my clio starts 1st time every time.

If u stand at front of car with bonnet open it is to the right of the main engine under neath the big black hose that runs up from the front right corner, above the bell housing and bolted onto the side of the engine

it is a piece of metal in an arch shape with a bit of black in the middle and 2 bolts either end hold it onto the engine.

nearby is some wiring which i have read if u wiggle when car is not starting then it helps to get it goin in the short term

part at german swedish and french car parts is £18 my local garage supplied and fitted for £90....... bit steep but they know what they are doin and i aint got a clue.

Any more questions just ask...... i know how annoying it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i do have photos of the part and where it is located but not sure how to get them on here!

[cluelessme]

Many thanks for the comments I'll give it a go and let you know how I get on

Thanks again

Nig (AKA Clueless ;-)