1995 Renault Clio 1 petrol - 1171cc ("Energy" engine)
Old Clio usually runs well, but has had a long term habit of not starting. When this happens, the engine turns over (fast ? as if little compression) but makes no attempt to start or even splutter or cough. The engine then will normally light up when all switched off and retried, and runs smoothly as if nothing has happened.
This all used to happen only about once a year ? maybe as I recall in hot weather. However recently this has happened much more frequently, and would not start for several days. This forced me to do some elementary diagnostics today, with a happy result at least of getting it lit up again, albeit no root cause yet!
When it will not start, there is spark @ plugs, but no smell of fuel. I have re-seated all of the fuel injection electrical connectors I can find, including what I think are the fuel pump relays in a box between the battery and the nearside strut top, all to no avail.
Today I managed to start it by dribbling some petrol into the air intake, having removed the air cleaner. The engine then ran well & restarted repeatedly without problem.
However (for reason now unknown to me!) I then decided to unplug the fuel pump whilst the engine was running (I can access via a hatch below rear seat). The engine faltered & stalled and would not restart after the pump was re-connected, until I fed fuel into the air intake again as above.
Can anyone please assist me with a likely root cause or the (simple please) diagnostics I can do to pin this down properly?
Many thanks for reading and for any assistance.
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Change the crank sensor, and come back if that fails to fix it.
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Thanks Altea Ego. I had thought of that but discounted as I found out today that the car starts up (and stays running) if primed with petrol.
I presume that the crank sensor is on top of gearbox /bellhousing & under "distributor".
Since describing all this I have used the car and it restarted 5x out of 6. Needed priming to start on one occasion, and a bit of a nuisance for others when I was blocking a pump at a petrol station!.
Is there a way that I can test the sensor / or if I get a sensor from a scrappy can I test that before fit - any offers?
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Yes its on top of the bell housing. Any issues of not starting always go for the sensor first.
Dont get a scrappie one, you have no idea if its iffy or not. Get one from your renault dealer as they will have the latest modified one for your car.
Other weaks points on the 1.2 are the coolant temp sensor, and the throttle body could do with a good clean.
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Many thanks indeed for your help and guidance, wisdom etc. It's a tribute to such forums as this that gumbies like me can call on the help of such experts!
I renewed the crank sensor as suggested earlier today, albeit with a Unipart supplied bit for rather than OEM. Car seems OK - at least so far so good.
Tip for anyone else replacing this crank sensor is to use a 11mm /¼" drive socket as access is restricted and wear reading glasses so as can just about see as well as feel whats going on!
I will post again if this proves not to be the root cause /permanent solution.
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Hmmm I spoke too soon.
It was OK until the other day, when same symptoms again, ie cranked (fast as if no compression), but without starting even after extended cranking. It has happened 2x since.
However, each time it has miraculously worked after switch off, wait and retry. Thankfully I have yet to need to resort to removing the air cleaner & priming etc to get it all lit up.
I have an unfounded suspicion of the old Cobra immobiliser (it will be as old as the car) and now intend its removal.
Any other suggestions welcomed again ....
Thanks.
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Fingers crossed again.
I have now removed & discarded the historic Cobra immobiliser, and reconnected ignition wires behind steering column ignition switch using cable connectors. All seems well, at least so far so good.
Bizzarrely - it seems likely that I had 2 faults causing similar symptoms, ie flaky immobiliser as well as crank sensor.
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