Anyone know what might be wrong with my car?

BaileyB

Over the last week or so my car (Clio 1.2 03) has been taking a little longer than normal to start, maybe 2 turns of key. But i do work early morning so thought might be cold and will get it looked at. (My uncle normally does but just moved house so car stuff is boxed away)

Anyone roll on to today and car would not start at all, trying to but not firing. Battery is 3 months old and no dying noise. So was unsure what is was.

So phoned out recovery and got it started. He held the lock button (in middle of dash) for around 10 seconds and locked the car on and off a few times while in the car. Stuck a battery boaster on the battery as this was flat (no idea why?) and turned over after holding it in for around 5 seconds.

Took it for a 45 minute drive and been fine all day. Went to work and 7 hours later started first time, and stopped and started since around 6 times and all fine.

There is an engine management light on though (coil symbol above a swirly box) which he said was normally a diesel light. But the car is a petrol.

The guy said it was either one of the 4 injectors or a wiring loom.

Does anyone know is this rings a bell with anyone? I am thinking of taking it to a garage to have the code read, or buy one from ebay as they are £20 and the same price at a garage to tell me the same thing.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Any-Car-Engine-Fault-Diagnostic-Scanner-Code-Reader-OBD-OBD2-OBDII-CAN-BUS-D900-/300705194365?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item46036d217d

Any help be great.

bryanb

What do you mean by a dying noise? Sounds like a battery problem. Maybe earth connection.

BaileyB

It sounds like the car wants to start but no dying trying to get there.

Found a website that you can check error codes (basic)

http://www.bargainspares.com/renault-clio-engine-reset-warning-light-on-trick-obd-diagnostics-no-tools-needed/

It has 1 error code which is ---h (Oil Level sensor fault)

BaileyB

anyone else have an idea?

forgotmyname

Without reading the fault codes it could be a lot of things, Battery/Alternator or wiring issues.

When was is serviced last? A proper service not just an oil change?

Ever had the sparkplugs and leads changed? Coil?

BaileyB

Proper service October time (2012) timing belt also changed.

So the oil level fault will not be the proper fault? Or do you need a proper car reader to get a correct fault?

forgotmyname

You want any and all fault codes the ECU has stored.

If the oil level is low or the sensor is faulty will it fail to start?

Gloomendoom

Crank position sensor?

Norman_Castle

It sounds like the car wants to start but no dying trying to get there.

Does this mean the engine was turning over but not firing?. Do you know what "turning over" and "firing" mean?. Batteries are described as dying when they struggle to turn the engine over. They don't make a noise.

spacey2012

Many things that is a catch all fault light. The call out guys knowledge sounded limited to connecting jump leads .

Could be a cracked coil pack or a cam sensor fault but only a skilled mechanic can know as code reading will only tell you the symptoms not the cause and that silly test only tests the instrument panel

Strider590

BaileyB wrote: »

Stuck a battery boaster on the battery as this was flat (no idea why?) and turned over after holding it in for around 5 seconds.

Because it's winter and you probably don't drive the car enough to recharge the battery....... When it wouldn't start, you kept trying until the battery was drained, if you continuously try to start a car you eventually flood the engine with fuel, you'll never start a flooded engine, you've no choice but to leave it for a while and try again later..