Immobliser problems.

[Toms_clio]

Basically a few months ago my car decided to die. The immobliser light was constantly flashing when I tried starting the key. I had the car towed to renault and ended up being the UCH!! Big ££
Today 4 months later I went to my local shop. Tried to start the car and exactly the same thing has happened.
BUT it them decided to crank over about a hour later but still didn't start.
I locked the car, unlocked it and it started fine
I just went to tesco petrol station and died on me again at the pump when I tried starting! (embarrassing I know) push it out and 10 mintues later it cranked for a few seconds. Waiting for a while before trying again then it started..
Just got home, went to start and happened again.. But won't start atall now..

I have tried a new decoder ring and still isn't working

Amy ideas people?

 

[MicKPM]

Its annoying mate, sorry to hear this but without plugging it in to see exactly was isn't happening its impossible to say. Where are you based?Mick

 

[mugglesquop]

warranty on parts from Reno?

 

[Toms_clio]

I'm based in Harlow.. Near stansted airport.
There not under warranty as my mate who worked at reanault brought them at discounted price then re programmed the bits on his breaks..

 

[MicKPM]

The UCH itself will be covered by 12months warranty no matter what but I suspect the UCH itself will be fine and it'll end up being a connection issue or possibly even a key.How many keys do you have coded for the car at present? If you have a spare give it a go to see if it works.Mick

 

[Toms_clio]

Rite I have tried my spare key amd a new decoder ring amd still the immobliser has a mind of it's own :-s

 

[lemonnobby]

get a good battery test done ive had 3 like this now

 

[Toms_clio]

Really? Could it be the battery? Its never had a problem starting..

 

[Toms_clio]

You mean key fob or car?

 

[Toms_clio]

The car has been in Renault All day today. The recoded a new key and recoded the uch again.. And still nothing!! That cost £206. Now they are charging me £100 an hour to try find the problem!! I'm
Actualy debating wether the break the car for parts or not..
They said they have never had a problem like this before and all the mechanics are totally confused

 

[MicKPM]

Re: Immobiliser problems.

Fek me Freddy! That's outrageous and surely there's a CLIP equipped specialist down that way that could've done this for less? Unfortunately, problems like this do involve a fair bit of digging but Renault have access to all the relevant help sheets and processes sohere's a few questions that you should be asking them:

• Why have they attempted to "re-code" the UCH? Once they're in and coded to a vehicle that's it, they're done and only the basic config can be altered so what were they hoping to achieve? (I suspect its a bit of confusion with terminology)
• What did CLIP tell them was the actual problem to make them attempt a UCH Erase, re-sync of the keys and code up a new key fob?

What I'm getting at is if they've genuinely NEVER seen a fault like this before then why are they wasting time, and more importantly, your money by "guessing" at fixes and replacing expensive parts? Especially if the CLIP isn't saying there's a problem with the IMO system/Key code not being recognised when Renaults "TechLine" should be the obvious first port of call for reference? (I'd be pressing very hard to have that struck from the bill in its entirety myself).

Case in example:
If the UCH isn't responding at all then that's an obvious issue and yes there's a chance the UCH is scrap BUT the first thing you need to do is confirm the wiring infrastructure is right because if its not the UCH isn't going to work period! Again, wiring schematics and general fault finding processes are available to them on Renault NET and Dialogys so there's really no excuse for this taking so long and it makes my piss boil when they fuuck about like this!

I had a female customer with a Megane CC and a roof that wouldn't work. The local Renault franchise changed the motor, roof control module, UCH, spent hours tracing wiring and ran up a bill of over £2.5k for her. They took nearly 3 days to do all that and still couldn't get the roof to work and said they needed another day fix it to which she said no and bought it to me. 35minutes searching and testing revealed it was a faulty dash switch.... £38 for a part later and the roof was working and she took them to small claims court (And won) so don't trust the dealer to get it right!

Mick

 

[Sir_Dave]

get a good battery test done ive had 3 like this now

Same.

My 1st Trophy did exactly what the OP is describing last year. We (+Renault) thought it was the UCH.

Sarahs dad (electrical engineer) tested the battery properly and whilst it was holding a charge fine, so would lock/unlock, it was failing under load, ie when trying to start ...

 

[Toms_clio]

Thanks for the replys. I have tried a battery Dave
I will ask Renault about them re coding the UCH!
Last night I read on the net someone had the same problem. It ended up bein the engine management relay :-s
Could this be the cause of the problems?
Thanks

 

[lemonnobby]

Car battery yeah? we had one in work that was like this and it was the battery caught the RTE out big style

 

[Jonny1*2]

Surely they would check continuity between ecu and uch, check for 12v etc. I'm not convinced a duff battery would do what you're describing. Its worse that renault chuck new parts 'guessing' the fault, then charge you for it. Wait for new ecu to pop up on the list. I bet its wiring related around the uch which has temporarily fixed itself while changing over the units, and finally reemerged. However it is Renault so anything is possible. Would it bump start? Clip might be getting locked out of the ecu due to immobiliser being active. Hope you sort it fella, I know how frustrating it is.

 

[Toms_clio]

Still no good news on the car. Renault want to try a new UCH.. Over £590 either fitting. My UCH I brought 4 months ago isn't under warranty as I have no recite proving it's for my car ( I got a mate who works at Renault to buy it and fit it for free) although I have the invoice for the part there is still no evidence it was fitted to my car!!
Im debating wether to break it or not !

 

[Jonny1*2]

Receipt take it elsewhere mate. Uch won't fix this. Renault are guessing at your expense

 

[MicKPM]

IF it was a brand new UCH that has been fitted and correctly setup on the vehicle by a trained technician using a CLIP then the "aftersales" programming date will be set and will show fairly recent... There's one bit of proof.

As above, I seriously doubt a new UCH will fix this and that part will be covered by warranty whether the parts dept like it or not. Worst case, the car must go to a franchised workshop to be "diagnosed" as a UCH fault. If it is faulty the part must be changed under the 12month warranty Renault UK offer on all non-wearable part for which you have a reciept for the part which clearly states a unit was purchased.

This is basic consumer law/protection here in the UK and if they're saying the UCH needs replacing (again) then you should not be paying for this... The end!

Mick

 

[Toms_clio]

Cheers mick. I understand what your saying but Renault are telling there is no way of linking that invoice to that UCH. They are saying my friends UCH could of broke and then I have taken the recite..

 

[MicKPM]

"Renault UK" or the "Franchised" dealer is telling you this?

 

[Toms_clio]

I'm not to sure. Is there any other speacilst I can take my car to?

 

[MicKPM]

I bet its the dealer spinning you a line rather than Renault UK. Give em hell mate cos at the end of the day you've got a parts invoice that clearly states a brand new UCH was purchased recently by your Technician mate who fitted it to your car.

I don't know of anyone in Harlow I'm afraid but the dealer sounds like they are only interested in your wallet and it would be cheaper to have it sent to me!

Mick

 

[Toms_clio]

the parts was fitted by a mate who worked at Renault.. there just being c***s
there literally beading me over and there is nothing i can do.. if i don't fix the car then its worth nothing..

 

[MicKPM]

Tom, can you PM me a photo of the oval plate sticker from your drivers door jam and/or yor reg? I seem to recall a technical solution relating to various vehicle platforms pertaining to the decoder rings and gave a non-stating issue anda flashing red LED. It was howeve based on specific build numbers so I need to look it up on RenaultNET for you. I'm out ad about now and posting via my Blackberry (whic takes a bloody age) however it was a simpe fix requiring a minor re-wire IIRC.

Mck

 

[MicKPM]

Tom, I've found the tech note mentioned above and it is very possible you're vehicle is effected as its in the age range. I need to confirm a few other details with you that will involve you speaking to whoever has your car at the minute.

Question: When the vehicle was CLIP'd were codes "DF067" and "DF069" present?

If so it will be the after ignition + feed that's at fault and i'm betting pin #3 to the decoder ring is yellow in colour rather than red.

Mick

 

[gardner51]

I fitted the uch and codded it as needed. Can't see why they would recode it wouldn't do Much lol,

And recode the keys? Doubt that do anything to. Maybe if only one was not working,

The uch should be covered. Sounds like their trying to f**k you over with cash.

But they'll still get paid through warrerny anyway


Ellz

 

[CabinFever]

Your first mistake was taking it to Darlingtons Renault, mate! You could try Renault in Ware, or Chelmsford, as they have always been really helpful and knowledgable.

Alternatively, you could always let Mark Fish have a look!?

 

[gardner51]

He didn't take it to darlingtons..... He took it to me,

And what's Rong with darlingtons? People their were very highly trained.

Had 3 rte's and a senior tech,

One of them is now at ware...

Ellz

 

[CabinFever]

He didn't take it to darlingtons..... He took it to me,

And what's Rong with darlingtons? People their were very highly trained.

Had 3 rte's and a senior tech,

One of them is now at ware...

Ellz

I'm fully aware you work there, dude. I'm only speaking from experience regarding Darlingtons, albeit a few years ago!

It's in no way a reflection on you or your work, but I've had nothing but problems with them and also several other people I know.

 

[gardner51]

I don't work their no more mate its closed down..

Ok dude no worries. Just your statement said your first mistake was taking it to darlingtons... When he never took it their in the first place...


Ellz

 

[Toms_clio]

Car is fixed now!! turn t out to be the UCH again!!
it got done under warranty but still had to pay £291

 

[Jonny1*2]

I'd argue that mate. They shouldn't fail that easily. Fact! Get Renault uk involved and get your money back.

Glad it's sorted though

 

[MicKPM]

As above, deffo escalate this to RUK. What was the £291 for Tom?

 

[Toms_clio]

£291 was for trying a new key and programming and for a new battery they tried..

 

[Jonny1*2]

How much £200 at the most for that. Well it should be nothing. Seriously get in touch with RUK. They are taking the piss

 

[Toms_clio]

How do I contact Renault uk? Mark fish even said they would refund me ??

 

[MicKPM]

http://www.renault.co.uk/ownerservices/customerservice.aspx

Bottom of the page... tel numbers, postal and email addresses

Don't get arsey with them, just tell them what has been done and explain that you're not happy with teh franchise that charged your an additional £291 as you've already purchased a new UCH recently (for which you can provide a reciept) and you've been told that you still had to buy a new one.

The only reason possible that I can think of that your old, replacement UCH is not covered is because water ingress killed it and that was the cause of your original UCH's death which wasn't rectified by the Tech that fitted it... but apart from that "I'm out"

Mick

 

[Toms_clio]

Ok thanks Mick. They done a 6 hour water test on the car and didnt leak abit..