Car won're start.

[bbess]

Hi,

I have a PH2 172 and yesterday it wouldn't start. I drove it to and from university (25 miles) as normal and it started fine on both occasions.

I called into town and parked up on my way home. Got back to my car and it won't start. Not even turn over. Nothing.

However, my lights work, radio works, car lock and unlocks. But it won't turn over at all.

When getting back to my car though, my clock (time) had reset, as well as my mpg, trip computer clocks. Strange that the radio code doesn't need to be entered though...

Recently, my trip computer has been resetting itself overnight (not all the time).

After ringing Dan@SJM, he suggested the being the issue. Searching the forum, a lot of people suggest this too. I tried jump starting the car using my brother's car, but still nothing.

Also, my immobiliser light goes out as normal, so it doesn't seem like that is the problem either.

As it's parallel parked, trying to bump start it could be tricky.

Has anybody got any ideas? Would appreciate any help people can give

Thanks

 

[DrR]

Jump leads, then try new battery?

 

[levaz]

dead battery is my guess.
Mine was doing this until I replaced the battery last week.

failing that, it could be an earth strap, that would give similar symptoms.

 

[bbess]

Thanks for your replies.

I tried jump starting it using my brother's car, with no luck.

If the battery is at fault, should the jump 'start' have started it?

 

[bbess]

It should read 'Dan suggested the battery being the issue'. By the way

 

[levaz]

Thanks for your replies.

I tried jump starting it using my brother's car, with no luck.

If the battery is at fault, should the jump 'start' have started it?

mine would jump....... but only after having it connected to a running car's battery for around 10 mins before hand.
any sooner than that and it just said no.

 

[bbess]

Oh right ok. I connected it up for about 4 or 5. I'll try that. Cheers.

 

[bbess]

mine would jump....... but only after having it connected to a running car's battery for around 10 mins before hand.
any sooner than that and it just said no.

Any idea on the voltage it was putting out? (Before the jump)

 

[levaz]

8v on it's own steam (got a dash mounted voltmeter), enough to operate c'locking, lights, radio, but no start.

 

[bbess]

Not even an attempt?

Mine has never had problems starting before. Did yours?

 

[levaz]

just a click from the starter solenoid.
but the battery was a known fault.

Between me and wife we have 3 cars, so the Clio was sat for a few days as the ZR is better on fuel.
She killed the battery in her 106 that she uses for work (self employed), so I switched them over to keep her moving.

 

[bbess]

A single click?

 

[levaz]

yup, a single, lonely click lol

 

[bbess]

Mine may be doing that too.

I'll let you know of my progress. Cheers.

 

[levaz]

no worries!

hopefully that'll solve it for you.

 

[bbess]

Unfortunately it didn't solve it.

Called the RAC out.

Battery was fine, over 12v. We managed to bump start it, leading him to think it's the starter motor...

He couldn't test the starter motor on the roadside because it's so difficult to get to. :/

 

[levaz]

sounds like it could be an earth strap.

the common culprit is the gearbox one, accessed through the passenger side wheel arch.

Renault raped me £200 to diagnose / solve that one, for what was essentially a £15 bit of cable

 

[BobM93]

Mines doing the exact same thing! Luckily had mates to push and bump me off which works! I'm guessing starter motor too!

 

[Dan.AS]

Had the exact same thing happen to me last Thursday. Everything worked fine as it should but when turning the key nothing, just a click. Got a new starter motor, changed it over and done. Fired up straight away. If you're planning on changing it yourself I found this guide very useful when I did mine. http://www.cliosport.net/forum/show...e-Starter-Motor&highlight=Starter+motor+guide.

 

[bbess]

I've taken it to the local RAC approved garage as I need the car done soon. Who knows how that is going to go!

They said they'd check the earth, relays etc before changing the starter motor.

Hopefully it is something simple... (cheap)

 

[Scattle]

I had this same problem when I had my Clio, all lights/radio/lock/unlock worked but it wouldn't turn over at all.
MickPM trader on here told me to look at the white wire which goes to the starter motor solenoid as it may have corroded, that's what happened on mine, new wire/connector later it was sorted, 1 hour labour for auto electrician was all i had to pay.

 

[bbess]

Quick update:

New starter motor. Fixed