1999 Clio 2 1.2 8v Non start driving me crazy

[slimwadey]

Hi all
I have bought a little clio for my sons 17th, it is in a bit of a mess but has potential
the main issue (apart from the awful bodykit) is it wont start
It was driven onto a driveway 3 years ago and now wont start
I work at a bodyshop and have access to 3rd party OBD readers and even my 25years of mechanic skills (now proving useless) cant help

Here goes
It turns over but wont start
ok crank sensor on top of bell housing ? nope
the fuel pump is not even priming, i bridged the fuel pump relay and it runs when i switch the ignition on
the immob light goes solid red then goes out when i turn ignition on
car is the RF type not infrared so no issues with sunroof sensor
i connected odb and it tells me all this info in the immobiliser ECU
1 fault code on immob ECU is DF014 coded line fault

So it seems i dont have an immob issue except the DF014 code
I have googled this code and get lots of references to diesel cars and faults, i have also downloaded a couple of fault finding pdf's but had no luck
Can anyone shed light on this code?

I purchased an immobiliser bypass clip that fits on the OBD socket too, this seems to work and from the pics it seems that the immob is not activated
If i lock the car the immob activates and de activates when i put the key in the ignition
from here> http://www.getflat.co.uk/phcdownload/upload/.../clio2/MR346CLIO1.pdf

I have cleaned the relay panel by the battery and no luck, also checked every fuse
I have not removed the fuse box or multi timer unit in fear of having to reprogram keys/immob as my 3rd party OBD wont do that
I have the 4 digit security code from Renault and tried to input this with the C/L button first then the OBD but had no luck, i dont think this will help as i think the immob is switching off ok
When i press the C/L button either way for 3 seconds the multi timer unit beeps once, but only after 3 secs, never again unless i press the other way

Any chance of helping a foundering soul?
Sorry for the flat out first post but this is taking up every waking moment of my life !!!!

Thanks for reading this lot !
Steve


PS a quick pic of the car .. and No i DO NOT like the body kit but the car was only £100

 

[Sean6545]

So you are bridging the fuel pump relay and it primes. What sort of feeds have you got to that relay?
The ecu gives the fuel pump relay the earth to switch it over so are you getting that when the ignition is turned on? Also the same With the injection locking relay?

Try swapping the black relays under the bonnet around to diagnose a faulty relay.

Also unclip that fuse box and look underneath for green/rotten/dodgy looking wires. Give them all a tug (especially the small earth wires that energise the relay)

 

[MicKPM]

I've not got access to any of my docs till Monday but I'm sure DF014 relates to a wiring fault between the MTU/UCH and the ECM specifically for transmitting the imob auth code.

If the main body control is receiving the key code fine then the dash will indicate no fault and neither will the diag screen but if the ECM isn't receiving the coded signal from the main body module it won't be authorised to run its program so no start, no injection/ignition triggers and no fuel pump.

As above check all multi plugs for signs of water ingress, green stuff and other forms of corrosion. I will see what I can dig out remotely later today once I've had some sleep. You can rule out main power relays by confirming/denying the presence of +12v at the coil and injectors to as this is not ECM controlled.

Mick

PS: nice body kit!

 

[slimwadey]

I've not got access to any of my docs till Monday but I'm sure DF014 relates to a wiring fault between the MTU/UCH and the ECM specifically for transmitting the imob auth code.

If the main body control is receiving the key code fine then the dash will indicate no fault and neither will the diag screen but if the ECM isn't receiving the coded signal from the main body module it won't be authorised to run its program so no start, no injection/ignition triggers and no fuel pump.

As above check all multi plugs for signs of water ingress, green stuff and other forms of corrosion. I will see what I can dig out remotely later today once I've had some sleep. You can rule out main power relays by confirming/denying the presence of +12v at the coil and injectors to as this is not ECM controlled.

Mick

PS: nice body kit!

This sounds sensible the immob is switching oof but not being able to send the trigger to the ECM
There are only two relays in the engine bay, one is the fuel pump and the other when bridged fires the fan so i guess its that
I applied 12v from the fan relay to the fuel pump one and the pump primes on the ignition
I will check the above mentioned wire tomorrow and see how things are

Thanks
Steve

PS: i know you all love the bodykit

 

[slimwadey]

So you are bridging the fuel pump relay and it primes. What sort of feeds have you got to that relay?
The ecu gives the fuel pump relay the earth to switch it over so are you getting that when the ignition is turned on? Also the same With the injection locking relay?

Try swapping the black relays under the bonnet around to diagnose a faulty relay.

Also unclip that fuse box and look underneath for green/rotten/dodgy looking wires. Give them all a tug (especially the small earth wires that energise the relay)

There is no 12v at the fuel pump main relay power terminal , when i take the 12v from the relay next door (fan relay?) the fuel pump primes on ignition

Steve

 

[MicKPM]

That's a problem then... Check the fuses in the engine bay first of all and trace the wires back as they are known for breaking, especially when the vehicles have been laid up.

Mick

 

[slimwadey]

Ok. i will take a good look at the wires again tomorrow
I removed the intenal fusebox and multitimer unit and tugged at the wires to make sure none were loose but they semed ok
Steve

 

[MicKPM]

It's normally the thicker red wires in the engine bay fuse box area that break. The early Clio II's had problems with water ingress due to rain water running down the inner passenger wing and in to the fuse box. This buggered the connections as well as caused broken wires in later years.

Take your DMM and start back probing the main power relay +12v feed and if you suddenly find you've got power showing you've found your break.

Mick

 

[slimwadey]

It's normally the thicker red wires in the engine bay fuse box area that break. The early Clio II's had problems with water ingress due to rain water running down the inner passenger wing and in to the fuse box. This buggered the connections as well as caused broken wires in later years.

Take your DMM and start back probing the main power relay +12v feed and if you suddenly find you've got power showing you've found your break.

Mick

Thanks for you help Mick i will report back tomorrow with my findings ..
Steve

 

[slimwadey]

Well i now have power to the Fuel pump relay, the pump primes when i turn the ignition.
This was one of those scenario's where "you cant see the wood for the trees" . turns out it was the fuse holder. anyway fixed now
So i fixed that and turned the key... forgetting the fuel pipe was off... fuel everywhere, then i managed to turn the key too far. and the starter motor ignited the fuel.. small fire and now i have a melted fuel pipe and fuel rail where the pipe enters
Its gonna cost about £30 to replace the parts.
In the mean time i will disconnect the pump at the tank and check for spark on the plugs

Steve(slightly shaky from running about with a fire extinguisher)

 

[MicKPM]

s**t mate, that was a close one!

On the plus side I'm sure you've fixed the problem now.

Mick

 

[Rob]

Love how calmly you type about it, just a small fire eh? At least you found the problem.

 

[Mordente10]

Had this exact problem. changed the bat in the key and in the car, jumped the car for 10 mins without starting it from another car. problem solved for me. worth a go.

 

[slimwadey]

Love how calmly you type about it, just a small fire eh? At least you found the problem.

As calm as the typing may sound when it happened i was running from the bottom of our yard to the closest fire extinguisher flat out.
one minute i'm calmly checking fuses and such like, the next i'm attempting to beat Usein bolts 100m sprint time
Very scary, and i nearly had my £100 Snap on multimeter go up in flames too

And good news !!
The car runs ( i had to improvise a new fuel pipe)
It fired up and ran well. i am so chuffed as this car has been dogging me for 2 weeks
Now i just need to decide if i should remove the dodgy bodykit or not ... ?

Steve

 

[Sean6545]

Yes

 

[MicKPM]

Set fire to it (the body kit, not the car... You already did that)

Told yer it would run

 

[slimwadey]

Set fire to it (the body kit, not the car... You already did that)

Told yer it would run

Trust me Mick if i could find a pair of bumpers tomorrow i would rip it all off without hesitation
I'm off to a scrap yard wed pm so i may find some
Steve