'04 Clio starting issue

[meXEco]

Hi I have a 2004 Clio 1.5dci which is having starting issues. Been like it for a while now-every once in a while-maybe 1 in 10-the car fails to start. It will turn over 3-4 times then stop, try again 3-4 times then stop. I found out by starting it in gear to move the car forward a few inches it would then start-but its now stopped doing that as well. We put in a hotwire to bypass the ignition switch and it still does the same-i'm thinking immobiliser issue and have no other ideas-anyone have any ideas what could be causing it and a possible cure? Thanks in advance.

[meXEco]

Just been out again and now its sometimes just clicking on the starter not even turning-could it be the starter motor/wiring rather than immobiliser?

[Graham]

an immobiliser issue should give a flashing light on the dash..

your problem could be as simple as a bad earth connection between the battery and engine/gearbox, seen that a good few times

[meXEco]

Thanks Graham will investigate that-tried it again this afternoon on the 6th kick it fired up-weird. No warning lights on dash.

[andylad]

As I remember Clio's used to have a small set of 3 brown relays on the front of the fuse box.. clean them up and swap them around.. if that fails give them a knock... I've changed loads of them gone faulty

[meXEco]

My missus has been using it regularly for the past 6 weeks and its not done it once since. When i had it i would only use it maybe once a week-if it does it again i'll check the relays cheers.

[meXEco]

Did it again this weekend-went for a jolly round the countryside and it did it in the middle of nowhere-kept trying it for 10-15 minutes and it just kept doing the 3-4 turns then stopping. Left it for 20 mins and it started first time-fookin thing-will check those relays this week.

[meXEco]

Just done a quick Google and the Crank Position Sensor can cause this so will try that as well.

[alladdin]

Fiesta diesel also have a limit on cranking time but it's about 7 sec worth. Must be ecu controlled in fiesta. Maybe all modern cars do when non start ?
Doesn't help you solve yours tho sorry !


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[meXEco]

Yeah gonna try the relays first then the sensor and earths etc see what that does.

[davemk1]

My missus has been using it regularly for the past 6 weeks and its not done it once since. When i had it i would only use it maybe once a week-if it does it again i'll check the relays cheers.

Obviously needs a womans touch!
On a serious note though, my transit went through a stage where it would turn over but wouldn't fire up.
Weirdly though, it would start if I wasn't sitting on the seat!
Turned out to be the ignition switch and being outside the van meant a different hand position on the key which made a better contact inside the switch.
Could it be that your Mrs holds the key differently to you?
Try moving the key about whilst cranking.
Please let us know your findings.

[meXEco]

I've also heard about a key issue not being pushed in correctly or fully-another thing to look into cheers.