1st drive in 3 weeks and the little f***er won't start GRRRRR!

[Tighten My Nuts]

Help please...

1st time I turned the ignition on, there were 4-5 repeated taps/knocks from the rear left of the car which coincided with the dash gear-change light flashing. Then after all dash lights finally go out I turn the key and get nothing, no solenoid click, no starter motor.

So I turn ignition off, pause, and turn it back on again. This time the fuel pump whirrs into life, no knocks or flashing gear-change light, but the "STOP" light is flashing. The starter motor turns the engine over OK but it won't fire.

Tried it 2-3 more times and get exactly the same.

Any thoughts anyone?

So pissed off...my neck pain/problem got better a week ago, but I've put off driving the Cup just in case its firm ride or my sideways roundabout technique jarred it again.

I've been working up to this all week long, finally get Megan off to bed, sort everything out for work tomorrow - leaving me with quiet, dry South Downs country roads - and a 950kg paper-weight

 

[Day]

Do you still have the original battery fitted?

My Ph1 did this at work leaving me stranded 30 miles from home, immobiliser kicked in rendering me immobile, ended up being towed to Renault who fitted a new battery which sorted it.

I thought no way could it be that because it did all that you describe, why would it do all that if the battery was dead :S

 

[Batman]

immobiliser?

 

[TomTom]

Mark turn your headlights on and then try and start it. If they dim your batterys knackered mate, that co-incides with all the stuff you mention aswell.

When batterys go they'll flash lights left right and centre. Whats your clock and radio doing?

 

[mini-valver]

Fuel inertia switch?
Does the red Immobiliser light go out after 3 seconds or stay illuminated?

 

[jonny mac]

it may be the fuel pump or fuel cell, or fuel line as i had this problem with my car, it was turning but just not firing, i had to change a small fuel cell fuse took 4 hours to find problem.

 

[len_beach]

Banana in the tail pipe?

 

[brisa4984]

dude.. it has to be the immobiliser with it being stationary for 3 weeks ..

 

[Daniel]

Battery. Renaults electrics are notorious (sp) for going batshit when the battery is fcuked.

 

[Tighten My Nuts]

Right, I'm sat in the car at the moment, with the manual...

Definitely not the immobiliser, both keys I have work and it goes out after 3 seconds.

Still on the original battery Day - and with head and foglights ablaze the starter turns the engine over without them dimming noticably.

Radio still has all stations programmed and displays correct time.

Looking at the manual, the dash light that stays flashing is the;

"Coolant Temperature Warning Light" - only supposed to come on when it's running and about to overheat.

Had the knocking and gear-change light flashing again - motor doesn't turn when it does that, but will turn if it doesn't do that and the fuel pump activates.

What's this knock and gear-change light flashing all about?

 

[mini-valver]

Will it bump start? You're not supposed to do it to a car with a CAT but I'm sure I read you have a de-cat.....

 

[Tighten My Nuts]

Do have a decat but can't be arsed with bumping it, only live in a small cul-de-sac which has a gradient to it...

I know what the knocking is now...it's a relay under the bonnet...picture to follow...

 

[Fletcher]

Do you have home recovery?

 

[mini-valver]

Fuel pump relay then I reckon.

 

[Prof. Farnsworth]

i got back from a 10 day holiday last week went to start the car and i turned over but wouldnt fire. tried like 10 more times, lifted the bonnet pressed that little red fuel cut off inertia button thing, and hey presto starts first time.

worth a go.

 

[Tighten My Nuts]

Fuel pump relay then I reckon.

Sounds like that could be it.

It gets worse though, picture up here...

 

[mini-valver]

It will be on the undertray, lol! I don't know which one it is but I'd say fuel pump relay would be the way to go. Get the old one and pop into Renault with it and ask for a new one and try it.

Should only be pennies.....

 

[Peperami]

Do you still have the original battery fitted?

My Ph1 did this at work leaving me stranded 30 miles from home, immobiliser kicked in rendering me immobile, ended up being towed to Renault who fitted a new battery which sorted it.

I thought no way could it be that because it did all that you describe, why would it do all that if the battery was dead :S

Spot on sounds like the battery.

This exact same thing happened to mine last week after being sat standing.

New battery, problem solved mark.

 

[Tighten My Nuts]

But the battery seems to have max power/ampage?

I turns the engine over indefinitely without slowing down and the headlights stay bright while it does it.

I'll explore the fuel pump relay before splashing out on a new battery I think.

Frustrating as hell though...I'd so been looking forward to a good thrash...1,700 kgs and RWD in an Omega in the wet is fun, but it ain't no Cup!

 

[TomTom]

Mine was exactly the same on a 52 plate a couple of weeks ago. Threw up every light and its dog up on the dash.

Have you got a multimeter Mark? Get the battery tested. AA/RAC do that homestart thing if your with them.

Those relays will click when you turn the ignition on/start the car etc.

 

[Lagerlout]

New battery or trying to charge the old one would be the first thing. Best to eliminate the obvious and easiest things first.

Or even borrow one of your other car, just to test it.

 

[Peperami]

After a while they dont hold much charge, this could be the problem.

 

[ben_p]

bump start the fucker

 

[Butler205]

I ran my battery flat with a 12v beer fridge.
I failed to bump start it.

I got jump leads on the car. I managed to get the car to turn of fine, but it took ages to start.

 

[phill172]

sounds a long shot but i had exactly the same with mine, check all the earths, sounds silly but mine was standing for a while and i found it was a bad earth that was causing it, just rub back all the connections with some wire wool, worth a try i guess

 

[Tighten My Nuts]

Got it recovered to Rentech on Saturday and got a call from Dave at Rentech late today - now fixed :approve:

Broken wire somewhere - I look into the engine bay and my head hurts - Mike and Dave have forgotten more about Renaults than I'll ever know.

Hats off to them.

Plus, they're going to get it weighed for me before I pick it up without all the remaining carpet/trim

 

[Day]

Do you need the mirror adjustment switch?

 

[Lagerlout]

Mike. You need to branch out into the midlands!!!

Glad it's sorted for you dude.

 

[Tighten My Nuts]

Do you need the mirror adjustment switch?

Ask me again tomorrow.

I'm a bit nervous about driving it again to be honest...it's been 4 weeks since my left leg pushed a clutch pedal down, and the Omega needs armfuls of lock to get around any corner.

 

[Russ_16v]

ha,i had a new passat 170 derv weekend b4 last,and that was weird going from no handbrake and elecrtic power steering bk to my ph1