Intermittent non-starter

[paulschofield758@bti]

Hi,

Can anybody help with an intermittent non-starting fault on my 54 plate Renault Clio Dynamique 1.4 16V auto? It has happened a few times now. Basically the car turns over but will not fire up. It has happened today where it started OK this morning, but when leaving work it would not. Had to abandon it at work.

Had breakdown recovery to it last time it did it but all he did was turn ignition on / off, lock doors, open doors, turn ignition on, until eventually it started (which is what I was doing for 30mins previously!). On the way home that time it stalled at traffic lights and took a few attempts to get it going again. Breakdown guy reckons immobiliser fault but surely it wouldn't turn over at all? Red immobiliser LED goes off when key is in ignition.

Took it to a good garage I know where they serviced it but couldn't get it to fail.

Any ideas????:S

 

[paulschofield758@bti]

Update - went to pick car up and it still would not start. Immobiliser LED definately off once key is inserted and ignition is in position ready to be started. Car turns over until I release the ignition, but will not fire up. Constantly turning on/off but no joy. Eventually shut the drivers door and tried again and it fired up as if nothing was wrong.
Following the 20 mile drive home I turned off the ignition and tried to restart the car.......again turned over but would not fire. Tried again and it worked. It is so intermittent.
Think next thing is to get it plugged into a diagnostic to see if there is any history/faults.

 

[welshname]

TDC sensor is a common one. When you're turning it over it cranks really fast but does nothing.

 

[paulschofield758@bti]

OK I will look at that. To be honest I looked it up and found that it is normally below the air box on the r/h of the engine, mounted on a bracket with 2 M6 bolts. Couldn't find this on my car, but there does appear to be a sensor screwed into the side of the engine with a lock nut to keep it in place. Will have to do some more research.

 

[paulschofield758@bti]

This is a shot of the side of the engine with the air filter removed. There is only 1 sensor I can see. Can anybody confirm it is the TDC sensor? Again, car is auto gearbox, 1.4l, 54 plate.

Cannot seem to insert the photo!!!