Clio 172 Went mental on me and the result was the ABS, SERV and Traction Lights

[nutontheweb]

Hi, I have a 172 Sport on a 53 plate.

I was driving home from work today doing about 95mph, when suddenly the car decided to have a fit on me. The revs shot up to the limiter without any action from me, the speedo dropped to 60 and held there even when the throttle was left alone.

Then I took it out of gear and the revs continued on the limiter. I started braking and the car statrted to judder and stutter. It eventually stalled at the roundabout and the SERV, ABS and EPS lights came on and have stayed on since.

I know I have gotta go to the garage but was wondering if anyone knew what this could be or mean. Scared the poop out of me at the time.

 

[clio-lord]

is it still reving up?

 

[nutontheweb]

No its not revving up but since it stalled I have only done a mile or so, very gingerly.

The test will be on the way to work in the morning, Just hope it does not do it on the M25 at the roadworks.

 

[Rob669]

Ever been any problems before? I'd be looking at the throttle body electronics including the pedal switch. A diagnostics test should hopefully show up with some faults. But, tell them you were doing something like 70, and not 95.

 

[nutontheweb]

Yeah had a few problems before, Had the throttle body replaced a few years ago under warrenty, Will not be impressed if its that again.

A few weeks ago had a problem when approaching a junction or just slowing down with traffic, As I dipped the clutch the revs would just drop off and the car would stall.

Then the middle yellow light would come on, (Electrical Event) or something like that. But nothing since that until today..

 

[DrR]

Belts ok?

Sounds odd that you slowed down to 60 even though the revs went up??

 

[Rob669]

Revs dropping so low that the engine will stall has often been due to a faulty ICV - idle control valve. It's all up there along with the induction. As daft as it sounds, just try taking the throttle body off and cleaning it with carb cleaner and same with the ICV.

 

[nutontheweb]

Belts ok?

Sounds odd that you slowed down to 60 even though the revs went up??

Yeah belts should be fine, had the cam belt and a water pump and belts changed a few months ago.

Yeah it freaked me out. It was like the instruments went hay wire. The speedo went down and the revs went up, it was like I was in neutral but wasnt.

 

[Rob669]

Nightmare!

 

[nutontheweb]

Revs dropping so low that the engine will stall has often been due to a faulty ICV - idle control valve. It's all up there along with the induction. As daft as it sounds, just try taking the throttle body off and cleaning it with carb cleaner and same with the ICV.

Well the revs dropping down so I stall is what made me take it to Renault a few years ago and they change the throttle body and since then all has been fine. I will try that at the weekend, thx.

Just hope it gets me to work tomorrow. Got to drive 40 miles to work so should be a good test. If not then at least I will finally get my moneys worth from the RAC.

 

[akaboogie]

rob669... please could you tell me wot the (icv) is and were about it is under the bonnit.....

cheers mate...

 

[SkidMarx]

I had a very similar problem, 90 mph it would start revving up, speedo would go crazy and when i pressed the brake pedal it felt like the brakes were split diagonally... I had both front ABS rings cracked so badly that they were just floating on the CV.. changed em both and it hasnt happened since.. Although I cant see how that could possibly cause the engine to rev?

 

[Rob669]

The speedo is linked there on all 172/182s (apart from 172 Cup and Ph1 which have speedo drives inthe gearbox). So it could be an issue. Check your ABS rings.

 

[Rob669]

rob669... please could you tell me wot the (icv) is and were about it is under the bonnit.....

cheers mate...

Between the throttle body and the coil pack on 172/182s and behind the plenum (inlet manifold). Has a wire connection and is held in the plenum by two bolts with 10mm heads.

 

[akaboogie]

o.k....cheers thanks.

 

[Chris.p21]

I had something similar on a MK1 Clio 1.2, it turned out to be something called a throttle potentiometer. I don't know much about them or if cars still have them as my technical knowhow is somewhat limited with Renault's.

If I'm wrong, please accept my apologies!

http://www.shyauto.com/Downloads/RX0709.pdf

 

[Rob669]

There's one on the throttle body.

 

[nutontheweb]

Right, first of all thanks all for your input.

My girlfriend is a gearbox mechanic and she has a diagnostic reader. We put it on the car and it came up with the following faults.

1)A/C Refrigerant Pressure Circuit
2) Brake Pedal Sensor circuit
3) Throttle valve position sensor circuit coherence between tranck 1 and track 2
4) Cruise control/speed limiter brake pedal switches.

We have take the throttle body off and cleaned it with carb cleaner as suggested and put it all back together and still the same 3 lights appear.

We tried to clear the fault codes on the diagnostic machine but it would not allow as the faults were still there.

This is the breakthrough bit - As you look at the engine with the plastic cover off there is a black electrical switch/sensor that slots into the side of the rocker cover. This wobbles a bit to the touch. When I held this switch firm against the rocker cover and we tried to clear the codes they deleted. Then once you let go the codes appear again. So I assume this is the issue.

Anyone know what this switch is? As you look at the engine it is just behind and up a little from the oil filler cap. Plugs into the left hand side of the rocker cover as you look at the engine.

Any thoughts gratefully appreciated.

I know I should take it to Renault but they charge stupid money an hour and I just cant afford that.

Thanks

 

[Rob669]

Which side, the throttle body side or on the other side where the aircon tubes are?

I photo will help.

 

[nutontheweb]

other side, not the throttle body side.

Just having lunch then will take a pic.

 

[Rob669]

Is it sensor no. 2?

View attachment 46353

If it is, a new one will cost about £120 and the no. of the part is 8200719629

 

[nutontheweb]

Right cant take a pic because its all been put back together but there is a pic I found on the internet. Might not be very helpful. Hope it is. The switch/sensor is the black thing to the left of the yellow oil filler cap.

http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a477/Nathan_Suttle/DSCN3690.jpg

One thing i would like to know is that I have got to drive from Essex to the Isle of Wight on Sunday. Do you reckon I should in my car with its current issues or best to hire a car. Cant really afford to but need to do something.

 

[nutontheweb]

Yeah it is no.2.

What is that switch called? Would it damage the car at all if I drove to The Isle of Wight and back. Obviously would not go over 60 all the way. Just struggling to get another car at such short notice.

 

[Rob669]

It's the manifold pressure sensor. It has an orange colour rubber bit to hold it in-place. Just try pulling and turning it to see if it will hold in place better, or wrap and elastic band or something like plumbers tape on it to try to make it fit more securely. If it was me driving to the IOW (not that I'd want to go back there ) I would drive very slowly until it is sorted properly.

 

[nutontheweb]

HI, thanks for all your help on this matter.

Just as an update, took the car in to be fixed, they changed the ABS sensor and that seemed to have done the trick.

Spoke to a mate with a standard 1.2 clio and he had the same issues and the garage told him it was the engine loom. Since I spoke to him the car has not done it since although Christmas Eve the car would not start. Have tried jumping it, charging the battery and nothing still wont start. Every time i turn the key it clicks and the full beam comes on. Very random.

Any ideas? Is it expensive to get the engine loom done?

Mery Christmas and a Happy new Year.

 

[SkidMarx]

HI, thanks for all your help on this matter.

Just as an update, took the car in to be fixed, they changed the ABS sensor and that seemed to have done the trick.

Spoke to a mate with a standard 1.2 clio and he had the same issues and the garage told him it was the engine loom. Since I spoke to him the car has not done it since although Christmas Eve the car would not start. Have tried jumping it, charging the battery and nothing still wont start. Every time i turn the key it clicks and the full beam comes on. Very random.

Any ideas? Is it expensive to get the engine loom done?

Mery Christmas and a Happy new Year.

I did say check the ABS target when everyone else was banging on about TB's and stuff. But what the f**k do i know eh??