2004 Clio Mk2 1.5 DCi issues with indicators/hazards/wipers/windows/restarting/clicking noise but only for first couple of minutes after starting

Hello! I really hope you guys can help

My 2004 Mk2 1.5 DCi Clio recently starting to throw up some strange electrical errors, but only for first couple of minutes after starting.

Intermittent issues with indicators/hazards/wipers, sometimes repeated clicking from presumably relays in passenger footwell. I hear a "click", all these things stop working, then another "click" (after short period), and it all comes back on. Sometimes there's repeated clicking for a short while. If I switch the car off when these functions have stopped working, it won't even turn over again. It eventually does though, and after a few mins all these problems dissapear and it's fine for the rest of the drive. Only seems to happen when starting the car after it's been standing. Sometimes it lasts only a few seconds, sometimes a couple of minutes.

Diagnostic shows an intemittent DF037 error: Stop switch circuits, coherence. I've never caught it "Active", its always "Memory". Could this be related? Can't find much info about this error online.

I suspect it's something to do with the UCH, but would really appreciate your opinions before I send it off for repair or start poking around and potentially messing with things that don't need to be messed with. I've read a few different things I could try, like cleaning out connectors, checking/reseating fuses, etc. Any advice on the best way to go about this, or other things I could try? Possibly earthing cables? I did unplug and reinsert the white connector under the glovebox, but unsurprisingly hasn't made a difference.

I also have the dreaded Serv and Airbag lights related to airbag issues under the seats that I'm aware of, haven't fixed yet, but will. I don't think it's related as these issues predate the electrical faults above, but thought I should mention it anyway.

I should also mention that, like an idiot, I washed my key in the washing machine about 6 weeks ago Inititally I thought the key was dead, but seems to work fine after cleaning it with IPA and thoroughly drying it out. Could that be related? The issue started after the key incident, but not directly after. Thing is, the electrical issues also occur when using the spare key too, so maybe it's just a coincidence.

Any insights you guys have would be much appreciated. Please let me know if you need any more info. I know it's not the worst issue in the world but this is driving me crackers.

Thanks in advance

How old is your battery?

A dying battery causes some very odd faults on the Clio

Replaced the battery less than a year ago after previous one died a death. Haven't noticed any issues with sluggish starting etc. Never had any issues like this before, even when previous batteries were dying.

Should probably also mention I replaced the alternator a few months ago after it died, seemingly putting a tear the aux belt in the process? Was probably the voltage regulator but figured might as well replace the whole thing. The headlights always dimmed a bit when opening/closing the windows etc., but I've noticed that it's perhaps slightly more pronounced after the alternator change. That said, might just be my imagination.

Clicking etc. sounds like UCH to me, common so have a read of people's UCH faults on here.
If you think it is that, I'd send it off to that dieselpumprepair guy on ebay, don't think it's all that expensive either.

hopgop1 said:

Clicking etc. sounds like UCH to me, common so have a read of people's UCH faults on here.
If you think it is that, I'd send it off to that dieselpumprepair guy on ebay, don't think it's all that expensive either.

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I've had a look through previous posts but couldn't find anyone experiencing the same thing, where the fault totally disappears after a couple of minutes after starting. I could be wrong, but others seem to experience the fault constantly, or randomly when driving. It's only right after the car starts for me, generally after it's been sitting. Did I read something about "expansion of wires" or something?

I was just wondering if there were other potential solutions before jumping to UCH repair, especially given the fault code and the fact that when the issue is "live", the car won't start again, so I'm wondering if it is linked to the "stop circuits", whatever they are.

I appreciate the recommendation for UCH repair if it comes to that, and it's a name I've read elsewhere on the forums which is reassuring I would like the UCH (and presumably the key!) to go to a safe pair of hands!

I'm quite fond of the car. I've had it nearly 12 years now. But it's starting to show it's age and I've generally gotten away without experiencing electrical faults until now (barring the endlessly troublesome airbag warning light which this forum has given good advice on fixing, but that's another can of worms...).

Uch needs repair. Send it away to dieselpumpspecialist on ebay, not expensive

Before sending off the UCH, I'd check the earth to the body is clean, and also there is no water starting to collect in the footwells or near any of the large electrical connectors in that part of the car.

cheztom86 said:

I've had a look through previous posts but couldn't find anyone experiencing the same thing, where the fault totally disappears after a couple of minutes after starting. I could be wrong, but others seem to experience the fault constantly, or randomly when driving. It's only right after the car starts for me, generally after it's been sitting. Did I read something about "expansion of wires" or something?

I was just wondering if there were other potential solutions before jumping to UCH repair, especially given the fault code and the fact that when the issue is "live", the car won't start again, so I'm wondering if it is linked to the "stop circuits", whatever they are.

I appreciate the recommendation for UCH repair if it comes to that, and it's a name I've read elsewhere on the forums which is reassuring I would like the UCH (and presumably the key!) to go to a safe pair of hands!

I'm quite fond of the car. I've had it nearly 12 years now. But it's starting to show it's age and I've generally gotten away without experiencing electrical faults until now (barring the endlessly troublesome airbag warning light which this forum has given good advice on fixing, but that's another can of worms...).

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They're very good cars, but as you say as they get older they will need some TLC. UCH is quite common hence why everyone will think that, including me, controls a lot of the electrical systems so can manifest itself in lots of ways. I'd be very surprised if it wasn't that. Worth checking some simpler stuff as above though.

hopgop1 said:

They're very good cars, but as you say as they get older they will need some TLC. UCH is quite common hence why everyone will think that, including me, controls a lot of the electrical systems so can manifest itself in lots of ways. I'd be very surprised if it wasn't that. Worth checking some simpler stuff as above though.

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Thanks for the helpful advice. Yes, generally speaking it's given me very little real hassle. Very fond of it but it's definitely starting to show its age.

I'll check the simpler stuff as suggested and if not, send the UCH off for repair.

Will update with the results

Bit later than expected but back with an update as promised.

Long story short, issue is now fixed and didn't need to send the UCH off for repair. Not sure what exactly fixed the issue, but did the following:

Removed and reseated most of the relevant fuses in the panel next to the glove box
Completely removed the UCH and sprayed the connectors with contact cleaner, allowed to dry and reassembled (unplugging and reseating relay and connector on the back of the UCH in the process)
Cleaned up earthing point nearest to battery under bonnet

Thought I'd buggered everything when I first reassembled and tried to start - wouldn't turn over, and nothing working except the fans. I don't think I inserted the connectors properly into the UCH - the black one is unlike the others and quite unsual. It has a locking mechanism that's a bit like a fairground ride safety bar, but in reverse? Bar needs to be horizontal as you push the connector in, it lifts up as you insert the connector, then needs to go over a 'button' of sorts, locking it in place. Took me a few goes to work out what was going on and put it in properly.

FWIW, the UCH itself looked absolutely fine. I took it apart and there were no signs of water damage or corrosion anywhere. I personally found it an absolute nightmare to remove, and I don't think I'm the only one. This guy on YouTube gives some helpful hints - though I couldn't quite contort myself like he can!



Took quite a bit of gentle wiggling to get out, but that might just be because I was doing it wrong. I'm not convinced I've put it back in exactly as it was before it came out, but it's held in pretty securely with the metal brackets and screw and doesn't move, so should be okay. Famous last words...

Either way, when I finally got it all back together properly, everything was working as normal thankfully.

In hindsight, I'm actually inclined to think it might have been the earthing point under the bonnet that just needed a good clean. That said, when the issue used to happen, wiggling the wires/connectors going into the UCH would sometimes make it stop, albeit temporarily. But I suppose I'll never know because I didn't exactly do a scientific experiement when trying to sort the issue.

So I guess the moral of the story is... give the earthing point under the bonnet a clean and maybe give the UCH and connectors a thorough check before sending it off for repair? There's also an earthing point somewhere underneath (on/near gearbox) apparently that you can access by removing the front nearside wheel and arch liner that sometimes also causes issues, but I didn't need to do that.

Hope this helps anyone trawling the internet for a solution to their random/obscure problem. Anything to keep the Clios going

Thanks again to everyone for your help

vtec-e said:

Before sending off the UCH, I'd check the earth to the body is clean, and also there is no water starting to collect in the footwells or near any of the large electrical connectors in that part of the car.

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I think the earth to the body was potentially the culprit. Thank you for your helpful suggestion

Glad you have it fixed, and it's useful info for others that may have similar problems.

I knew I'd jinxed it by saying anything!

The issue happened momentarily while starting the car earlier today, but disappeared almost straightaway. Heard that ominous clicking from the passenger footwell and just knew it But, if the issue doesn't progress, I could live with it like this because it's literally gone within a couple of seconds and barely affected functionality.

Only thing that seems different is it's quite wet and humid today. It hasn't bucketed it down though and nowhere is visibly wet. Might be worth noting that the engine bay didn't seem wet at all when I checked either.

My thoughts are:

Redo the earthing point in the engine bay thoroughly
Check the gearbox earthing point and redo if required
Possibly take out and reseat fuses in the engine bay (is there a master fuse there for the UCH?)
Send the UCH off for repair and make damn sure it's 100% firmly inserted back in place (somehow... I just can't figure out how to get it back in the top "clip" and hook it onto the side while making line it up with the T20 hole next to the fuses.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I'm glad it's not a more serious issue but I prefer to try and nip the little things in the bud before they develop and get much worse.

Thanks in advance.

Uch repair. I bet moving the connectors has moved the circuit board and made a better connection on a dry solder joint temporarily