Hello CS! New member - Clio III 1.2 Engine won't turn off

[VivaVida]

Hello Everyone,

I recently purchased my first car, it is an '06 Clio III 1.2 16V. I have seen other similar posts but wanted a bit of extra help. I have been driving it for about 6 weeks with not a single problem.

The other day it wouldn't start, due to a flat battery. I got a jump start and everything was fine for a few days, and the alternator was charging the battery. Yesterday the yellow spanner came one, and the engine would not turn off when taking the keys out of the ignition, and I had to stall the car to fix this. There was a hum from the bonnet afterwards which I think may have been the battery.

I wanted to ask where I could find a good source of information to learn about my particular car? I also wanted to know, if I'm correct in saying when jump starting my car the final black clip should be connected to earth and not the negative terminal of the battery? Finally I wondered if I could remedy this problem my self? I have heard it may be an ECU problem due to water, or possible a problem with the fuses. As a bit of a newbie/noob I'm afraid I'll create a mushroom cloud if I pop the hood...

 

[VivaVida]

Also heard I may need a new solenoid

 

[Ranter22]

Could be water in the UPC, think Renault changed the box it sits in due to a few problems with water getting in.

 

[VivaVida]

Could be water in the UPC, think Renault changed the box it sits in due to a few problems with water getting in.

Thanks for your reply! I read something similar, could I take the UPC out and get rid of the water? Or would the water have caused permanent damage? Also is this a problem Renault would fix as a known fault?

 

[Ranter22]

If it is water damage i think you'll need a new one, about £250 for the UPC and a new box to stop it happening again. I expect Renault just modified it rather than admitting a fault but might be worth contacting them to see what they say.

 

[VivaVida]

If it is water damage i think you'll need a new one, about £250 for the UPC and a new box to stop it happening again. I expect Renault just modified it rather than admitting a fault but might be worth contacting them to see what they say.

I rang a woman at Renault and she said I'd have to ring a different number to ask them about a funded investigation. Sounds painful seen as I've just paid for the car and insurance I'll give them a ring. Thanks

Any idea about jump starting? Could that possibly damage the UPC?

 

[VivaVida]

Also is it wrong to earth using the negative terminal of the battery?

 

[Edges]

Yeah , suppose to put red jump lead to battery positive and black lead to body/engine/gearbox. Putting it to battery negative causes ecu problems iirc

 

[Sean6545]

100% UPC has got water in it. Common on the early clio 3's. You will need the modified UPC enclosure and plastic piece to stop it happening again.

 

[VivaVida]

Yeah , suppose to put red jump lead to battery positive and black lead to body/engine/gearbox. Putting it to battery negative causes ecu problems iirc

Tried putting the black to the latch that pops the bonnet, and on a couple of pieces of unpainted metal near the engine mount. But no spark, and no power/start. I put on the sidelights as I heard this can prevent spikes that can damage the electronics. When we earthed through negative terminal it turned on and everything seemed ok.

 

[VivaVida]

100% UPC has got water in it. Common on the early clio 3's. You will need the modified UPC enclosure and plastic piece to stop it happening again.

I was scared it may be this hopefully Renault can do something about it as a common problem. Shame really, don't fancy buying a new ECU only had it about 8 weeks! Damn rain!

 

[VivaVida]

Update: Jumped the car today, everything went fine car turned on and off normally with no warning lights. After about 6 hours the problem suddenly came back. Car would not turn off, and high pitch noise from under the bonnet. Tried turning it on and off a few times, and sometimes turning it off kills the engine, and sometimes it doesn't. But I still hear a whine from under the bonnet? Could it be a loose fitting?

 

[Sean6545]

No, take the cover off the UPC and see for yourself.

 

[VivaVida]

No, take the cover off the UPC and see for yourself.

I'll have a go today as I've got it outside my house now. I'll let you know