Cutting out and not starting

[Carl-H]

I have a 1997 R reg clio. Its a 1.2 and its been fine for the past 6 months that I've owned it. But recently since the weather has been getting hotter, it occasionally cuts out at idle, normally when slowing down and dipping the clutch. I have changed the spark plugs to the reccomended NGK's, I have checked all of the HT leads but I am still stumpt as to what the problem is. The car has covered 74k and has been serviced regularly and has had a recent cam belt and battery change. The car does have an immobiliser, but the car still wont start even when the immobiliser light has turned off.
It happened today when I was in the middle of a busy road waiting to turn up my street and it took 3 or 4 attempts to get it started.

Anybody any ideas?

 

[BRUN]

poor starting could be TDC sensor

 

[Carl-H]

yeah but it doesnt do it all the time, only occasionally... I have even taken the whole of the throttle body off and cleaned that out thouroghly. still does it...

 

[Jungle_Jim]

check the coilpack mate, get it on a diagnostic machine and it will tell you if its playing up.

 

[Carl-H]

Well ive just found the tdc sensor, took it off and gave it a good clean. I found this thing on the Parkers website that listed pretty much all of the problems ive been having. It was on http://www.parkers.co.uk/advice/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=26078.
Anyway, i wont know if its fixed it until the weather picks up again, its been cold and wet down here again today, so gotta wait til it gets hot.

Thanks for all your help

 

[.J.a.m.e.s.]

yeh try the coil pack and ht leads

 

[Carl-H]

I've checked the HT leads, and they are fine. If this TDC sensor doesnt cure it, i'll look into the coil pack. Like i said, i wont know if its sorted it until the weather picks up a bit.

Thank for your input though

 

[gibbo89]

my mk1 ph 3 sport did that. cured it buy fitting a new earth strap. its the one that goes form the gear box to the chassi on the nearside of the engine.