Mk1 172 low warm idle and cuts out, please help

[PugsClio172]

Hi,
I've been recommended to log onto this forum as most people on here are more knowledgeable than my local (useless) Renualt dealer. I have a series 1 172 and recently the idle speed (at warm temperature) has become erratic with the rev needle dropping off the gauge, the car eventually and often stalls and on warm start up won't tickover properly. It also stinks of fuel, the engine management light doesn't come on. I have recently had new plug leads, plugs, oil change, air filter. Having an AA membership I called them out and was advised that it's running far too lumpy and rich and that the 'CO' needs adjusting which I have now been advised by Renault can't be adjusted on this model. I removed and cleaned a couple of sensors last night as thought something as simple as this might be causing a problem?

Renault want £100 to put it on a diagnostics but I don't trust them and don't feel they can identify the problem unless the engine management light comes on.

Does anyone have an idea of what this could be or what my next step should be? Any help anyone could provide would be v.much appreciated.

 

[PugsClio172]

Just reading some of the common problems, could this be a lambda sensor which needs cleaning or replacing? I understand there is either one or two on the 172 series 1?

 

[Alan]

Its just one on the mk1 IIRC matey.

 

[PugsClio172]

Thanks Alan,

Do you think this could be the problem? Just noticed on the car's service history it's been cleaned before :approve:

 

[Alan]

It could be mate, when i had my 1.2 16v dynamique it had a new oxygen sensor and coil pack replaced under warranty because it was idling really really low then cutting out, to keep it going when the car was sitting at lights or junctions i had to keep revving it so it wouldn't cut out.

Maybe an idea to have the above checked out too mate.

Al.

 

[RichMcc]

I have this problem on my mk1 172, does the power steering stall the engine when turning the wheel at idle?

 

[Alan]

Can do at times mate ^^

 

[edde]

Does the temperature gauge go up and down it migh be the temprature sensor.
Try disconnecting both lambeda sensors.

 

[16v_jon]

Car will run ok without both 02 sensors, its a high probabilty thats its either the temp sensor as edde says or the MAP sensor , the MAP sensor is located on the left of the inlet plenium.

 

[PugsClio172]

I know on mine the temperature gauge is fine, and the problem only occurs when it's hot, no engine management light comes on. Mine has stalled when depressing the clutch, for example when you approach a junction or go around a corner, then the power steering will fail as it's stalled. It also generally happens when you've been out for a run in it, turn it off and then try and turn it over 5 minutes or so later, then it'll run like a bag of spanners until it eventually stalls. Starts fine from cold.

My dad's taking the lambda sensor off and cleaning it if possible, otherwise it might be a new one, that's if it is the lambda?!

 

[PugsClio172]

I'll also have him look at the MAP sensor

 

[MATT BLACK]

Check your throttle body / TDC sensor / coil pack are the air pressure sensor in your manifold.

 

[PugsClio172]

cheers,
Blimey, there seems to be sensors on everything! I'll get all these things checked. The car's recently had a coil pack, new plugs, air filter, oil and filter. So you have to assume it's one of these sensors.

 

[PugsClio172]

My dad's just removed both Lambda sensors and cleaned them but it's made no difference. He tested the emissions before and after cleaning them but they're still bad. Have you any idea how to test the sensor if it's working without buying a new one?