Car Randomly Not Starting

[Tigger]

A few days ago my car wouldn't start, had to get the jump leads out :S
(on the morning of a ClioSport meet too )

I thought this was a bit random as everything was fine the day before, and has been ok since.
The only glitch I can think of is when turning the key in the ignition, sometimes it takes an
extra second or two holding the key in till she turns.

Is there anything I can check to make sure it won't do it again?

Cheers
Trev

 

[MrMark]

Check the battery.

 

[Tigger]

Will do, would the alternator be playing up?

 

[dajones]

^ could be, mines doing the same, recently been fine with the hot weather but as soon it got colder problems happend again,

 

[Simon_172]

mines the same, only sometime tho..

 

[jesus]

TDC sensor might need replacing mate.

 

[Simon_172]

^^ were it that? would you be able to tell if it does need replacing if taken out?

 

[MrMark]

Do a search on here about the TDC sensor.

But firstly, i would elminate battery problems.

You can get battery testers for a couple quid.

 

[Simon_172]

just had a new one on mine. still not ruling it out tho

 

[.Gem.]

I had that....theres a thread somewhere...

replaced the battery, had the immobiliser key reset, ended up being a 5amp fuse somewhere that had blown!!

 

[JMR]

Tigger,

Do you find that your trip mileage is tending to reset itself?

i.e 0.0 miles, 0.0 mpg?

If so, its a battery problem. How olds the battery? Mine had been doing this recently because I hadnt been using the car much. Sat with the alarm/immobiliser on just draining the battery.

Ended up buying an Opti-Mate charger which is hooked up all the time now. About £5 cheaper than a new battery, but this keeps it constantly topped up/trickling. Though I am using the car now.

At least it starts without a fuss.

 

[Tigger]

James, my trip is fine

TDC sensor might need replacing mate.

What's the TDC sensor?

I had that....theres a thread somewhere...

replaced the battery, had the immobiliser key reset, ended up being a 5amp fuse somewhere that had blown!!

Can you remember what the fuse was for?

 

[Tigger]

^

 

[.Gem.]

Cant rememeber exactly tbh - just know it was a 5 amp fuse somewhere! Not mcuh help I know but I had an auto electrician sort it and I was just so relieved it worked that I didnt get the details lol!

 

[SBV116]

TDC sensor i would say, its on the top off the gearbox, picks up the signal off the flywheel! VERY common on renaults, they introduced a new section of wiring loom for it you had to solder in. there not dear. £50-ish!

 

[Gumby]

Bump for an answer Tigger

Mine's started doing the same in this damp weather too!

 

[VeinAST]

Mines doing it but Ive got a cambelt and normal service due next week so I think it'll be fine after that

 

[Tigger]

Mine done it again this evening

Car was sitting for 10 days under a cover at a mates until Monday evening, started fine when I picked it up and drove ok Monday + Tuesday (last night)

What on earth affects it overnight or is it just a random problem? :S

 

[VeinAST]

I reckon its random! My car turned over 3 times today before starting... although it does need it's 72k service so probably a change of sparkies will do it!

 

[2thumbs]

So is the battery flat or does it turn over but doesn't fire up?

 

[Tigger]

^ Turns over but does'nt fire up.
Electrics seem ok so I'm guessing the battery is fine

 

[2thumbs]

Coolant temperature sensor.

Or coil pack, but start with the CTS as they're cheap and a common fault.

 

[Tigger]

Thats a new suggestion, what needs done to it, and where is it?

 

[2thumbs]

Need a new one. Do a search on here, it's been explained many times.

Think you need a new loom for it on the Mk2's aswell, but owning a Mk1 I wouldn't know for sure.

 

[Tigger]

Is it the cause for sure?
What sort of £ am I looking at?

 

[2thumbs]

Search! LOL.

About £40 - £50 for the sensor and loom off the top of my head and fit it yourself as it's a piece of cake to do.

None of us know what exactly is the problem without diagnosis software (and even then, that doesn't always show any errors), it's a process of elimination starting from the cheapest solution.

You could try cleaning it as that's known to fix it, but not a certainty.

 

[Tigger]

lol cheers mate

more work added to the to-do list

 

[Yellow Dave]

I've had this trouble several times, and it happened again on Tuesday. I've had the modified TDC sensor fitted aswell. Another cause is the three black relays in the fuse box just infornt of the battery. I think they control the fuel pump, starter motor and not sure on the third. They're renouned for being faulty as there just not man enough for the job. Both my parents have had trouble with the same relays in there cars (MK2 Ph1 clio RSI & Mk1 Ph2 Megane cab). Change them and it should cure it, it did for mine

 

[Tigger]

Where can you get those relay's mate?

Bloody French electrics FTAL!

 

[Yellow Dave]

Where can you get those relay's mate?

Bloody French electrics FTAL!

I've always got them from the dealer, but I seem to remeber there about £20 but I might be wrong.

Not sure if a motor factors or GSF might be able to get something like that

 

[Tigger]

The thing that's baffling me most is how come jump-starting the car can resolve it? :S

 

[Tigger]

Would it be better to jump-start the car until I find out what is causing this?

I find it strange that it happens so randomly yet cured by a set of jump-leads. Surely not the best idea for the engine :S

 

[Tigger]

Jump-started the car yesterday so I could get it moved
It took about 10 mins and 4 turns to get it to go which makes me think that its definitely not a dodgy battery

The hunt for the culprit goes on!

 

[jonny_g]

starter motor tig?

 

[Tigger]

Not sure Jonny, sometimes when starting the car on a daily basis it will turn for an extra second or so before it fires up. :S

 

[REH17]

I have had pretty much the same problem. Had the car (2002 1.4 Dynami) for about 6 months or so (back in 2005) and then one hot afternoon on the 3rd turn of the key in ignition nothing. . Ended up just turning key for about 10 minutes solid. It also happens if there has been a sudden change in temperature either overnight or during the day, or if it say rains after a hot sunny day. I just allow an extra few mins now on journey to account for this minor blemish .

 

[Derelict-UK]

happened to me the other day then once again this morning, nothing was switched on (like the lights etc) but it did show the bat warning light yesterday although today I managed to bump start it in gear. Its booked in for a full service next week so I will get them to check it out.