182 Intermittent Engine Warning Light Especially when Idling - help!

[lord-bod]

Hi Everyone

Whilst I have been very happy with my recent purchased 182, there is one thing that has been troubling me - Intermittent Engine Warning Light!!

Details of the car:
54 Plate, 182 Full Fat, FSH, 1 Previous owner, 90k - absolutely no mods or anything.
Car drives very well; engine very strong with no apparent issues that I can detect what so ever

Issue:
The engine warning light only appears to come on when I am idling, say when I am parked for 5 mins with the engine running; I don't recall seeing when driving or when say, waiting in traffic - only seems to happen when parked. I've notice the engine a little bit lumpy at the same time, in the sense that its not completely smooth and whilst it doesn't sound or feel is going to stall there does seem to a ever so slightly misfire.
the light will blink (on and off) for a couple of minutes and then stop and then perhaps 4 or 5 mins later, repeat. If I turn off an on, the light goes away but after a period of idle, it returns. Not the car hadn't made any long runs at this time (only say a max of 5 miles so perhaps its not completely warm yet)

Repairs so far
Taken it to Renspec Repairs (Poole) who have been very good so far; firstly they clear the error and according the computer it has misfired (I forget the error code)
When the issue returned - upon my instruction - they replace the Spark Plugs, Coil & Cable (They advised it was worth a try but did not guarantee resolution, which was perfectly reasonable of courseS) and they advised to use Super unleaded only (the tank was almost empty do I refilled as recommended). After than was done, It seemed the problem had been resolved and for 2-3 weeks its been absolutely fine - not lights what so anything. However it returned today - the car hadn't been far (probably 2-3 miles) and whilst parked (with it running) it reappeared :-(

So I would appreciate any advice or pointers from fellow Renault Sport owners - especially if I can provide it to Renspec as well.

The car still drives great, but I want to be able to trust it (e.g. when my wife drives) and the warning I am getting is not some kind of prelude to something worse?

Thanks and all the best
Rob

 

[bloke]

check your injectors, measure the resistance, they throw injectors more than babies throw toys out of prams!!

 

[lord-bod]

Difficult and/or costly check and/or repair?
Thanks
Rob

 

[lord-bod]

Ok, latest Update!

I was advised by the garage previous and again to refill the car (I don't normally as I don't really do much driving e.g. I walk to work) and as before, the problem has completely gone away.

Less than half a tank of petrol = light comes on as per above description
Full tank to half (so far) = NO light comes on at all

So is this indicative of fuel pump issue or something else (as I really would like to know) ? If so, what sort of cost to replace?
Obviously is cannot be THAT serious if its resolved by filling up the tank!!

I appreciate anyones advice

Many thanks
Rob

 

[Dan@SJM]

If you want to bring it up to me for a specialist in thee cars to look over your welcome to.

 

[MrDave]

I had the same issues, gave in trying to sort it in the end!

 

[lord-bod]

Dan@SJM - many thanks for the offer - I may take you up, given that Im in Dorset (Bournemouth)

Now slightly in contradiction to what I said above -- I started the car this afternoon on my drive and left it idling (i.e. I didn't go anyway, where as previously I had taken a short trip and then left it idling) and lo and behold the light came on - which is not something I had seen before. The car hadn't quite reached optimal temp so I stopped it and restarted it - this has the effect of stopping the light flashing and I gave it some light revving (2k-3k - nothing ridiculous ) and it reached its normal temperature. Then I left it idling again for about 20mins and NO warning light.

So whilst filling up is perhaps a slight red-herring (as its > 3/4 full now) it appears its related to the 'car not quite warm yet' -- which is consistent with the original post in that, I mainly perform short trips and leave it idling (mainly to keep warm whilst when I say, drop my son off at football practice) and then light is likely to come on. Yet if I reset it by turning off the engine and on again (when the its a optimal temperature) then it seems the lights remains off.

So it perhaps as mentioned earlier it relates to injectors?

Thanks
Rob

 

[Cue]

Did you resolve this Rob?

 

[Symon]

It could be the heater part of one of the lambda sensors, during idling it may not be getting hot enough to work. As the car is otherwise running oK I would guess it would be the post cat one.