18th Nov 2008, 08:51

Just an update on my comments added 16th Nov 2008 at 17.03pm.

The car is with the dealer. They have just phoned a second time to request another day as they cannot 'replicate' the problem on their diagnostic machine while out in the car! Whatever that means! Basically if the computer can't source the problem, no one can it seems. They obviously haven't read the comments here!

It is obviously a fault which is very time consuming to source/remedy. I get the feeling this is hassle the mechanics don't want, and I don't blame them as after all they have a business to run and targets presumably.

Renault need to look at this, as this sudden lack of power/speed without warning will cause accidents or possibly worse!

My advice to anyone with the hint of a problem re orange light coming on and the resulting 'crawl home' is get rid as soon as possible! Better still don't buy in the first place.

If this car is sorted, I intend to trade in immediately, to same network as dealer! But feel guilty when considering the poor fool who then buys it from them!

On a brighter note, the courtesy car, a Nissan Micra, is a great wee run about, and only costing me £11 per day!

Strange though a Renault dealership using Nissans as their courtesy cars? Or maybe not!

Should the dealer actually repair the car, I will update with details of actual repair, but I'm not hopeful!

We have had 4.5 years of relatively hassle free motoring with the Clio, current problems and airbag issue aside, my only option would be to scrap the car as I will not be able to sell on a car in its current driveable state! In modern terms, this is a poor show from Renault, and they should recognise their responsibilities.

19th Nov 2008, 05:01

Hi everyone.

I'm also a long-suffering Clio driver (1.2 16v Dymanique - 53 plate) and have experienced starting problems and the engine suddenly cutting-out at various driving speeds. Both of these issues usually accompanied by the electronic fault 'coil' warning light and toxic fume warning light on the dash.

I finally had enough the other day, and thanks to this forum, I think that I have now solved my problem. It turned out to be corrosion on the pins of one of the relays on right-hand-side (as you face it) of the engine bay under the plastic cover.

I have a total of 7 relays in the engine bay - the problem one in my case was 1 of 3 slightly smaller than the rest brown-coloured relays (part no. 8200 263 345). It was the one located nearest to the engine. I'm not even sure what the relay controls as the Haynes manual is fairly vague but probably either fuel injection or ignition - does anyone know?

Once the corrosion was removed with some emery cloth and the relay securely located the problem has gone away. I'm going to replace it anyway and have just ordered a replacement (High Tech PR41) from my local car spares place - the cost £4.99, which although isn't cheap for a relay, is much less than I noted a previous poster paid for the genuine Renault part (£15 I think it was).

Anyway, I hope this helps some of you. I realise that there are a whole raft of issues that can cause similar symptoms.

Bloody Renault!

Chris

20th Nov 2008, 04:59

To the person having problems with coil light who added comments on 16th Nov -

The reason Renault won't fix it is because it's a pain in the backside to get to the throttle body, especially for their incompetent mechanics. If you can find a garage that deals specifically in fixing french cars, they will do it in about an hour and you don't need to replace ANY new parts so it will cost less.

The problem with the diagnostics check is that with the nature of the problem, it can lead to false error codes or indeed none at all, but the problem still remains. I refuse to believe that they do not know what the problem is, go mad at them!

22nd Nov 2008, 14:42

I have a 51 plate 1.6, 16v Clio, which I bought 2nd hand about 6 months ago, it has 70,000 miles on the clock.

Almost from when I first bought it, it has very little power when I first start it up, where it feels like it is about to cut out. The problem has steadily got worse to the point where it often cuts out several times when I first start to pull off, and worse still it has now started doing this when I am driving (luckily so far not at speeds over 20mph).

Also sometimes when I am moving up the gears, it loses power when I try to accelerate, then seems to "jump" back into the correct power??? I've never had any warning lights come on at all.

After reading all the comments I'm worried to take it to a dealership, but cannot afford to be without my car for even one week day, as I have no other way of getting to work, and am worried as being a female without much car knowledge that I will of course be ripped off, any suggestions much welcome.

Unfortunately getting a new car just isn't an option at the moment due to financial circumstances.

27th Nov 2008, 06:49

**A FIX***

Would just like to add to the post a few positions up.

We have a 2001 1.2 16V clio & have had all the symptoms described here, coil light on, rough running, poor idle, hunting revs e.t.c.

All we needed to do was to clean the throttle body, it was a simple job all that was required was some carb cleaner & a new air filter.

It now runs perfect well as good as it did before! Also the coil light has gone out so all happy & a fix for a tenner. result.

28th Nov 2008, 06:03

Please do not buy Renault.

The following problems have arisen:

Only given one key when purchased and have reported on many occasions problems with unlocking the car, on several occasions unable to get into the car.

The car also cuts out and loses power when driving. The car shudders and the lights flash. The warning is staying on now.

I reported the problem when I took the car in for a service in October, which I had a courtesy car for the day, which I had to pay £20 to insure. The receptionist told me the problem was fixed as they replaced the TCD system.

On that same evening the car continued to cut out when driving and I struggled to get the car started. I phoned on Saturday morning to report the problem, the garage asked me to phone back on Monday as there was no one who could help to then. I phoned back on Monday, and the garage asked me to bring the car down. I had to take the day off work. I left the car at the garage for the day. I received an abrupt phone later that afternoon, to say there is nothing wrong with the car. I collected the car, that evening the car continued to cut out and lose power. The next day the car broke down and I had trouble starting it. I phoned the garage on the Wednesday morning to report the problem, they told me to bring the car down. I took the car down to the garage within 15 minutes, I arrived their the receptionist to told me they cannot look at the car for another week. I missed another day’s work.

I returned the car a week later. Renault said they would have the car over night to see if there is a problem. They phoned me the next day, very abruptly on the phone and said I have had your car over night, I could not fault your car, I could not find anything wrong with it, however the car has broken down on us this morning (sighed down the phone) and said I hope you appreciate what my garage is doing for you. I explained I have reported this problem on several occasions, they then said well ‘love’ it's not our fault if we cannot find the problem, then said I will have the car for another day to fix it, and will call you tomorrow.

The next day they phoned and said the car is fixed, and I hope you have appreciated the time we have spent on the car! He then said I only think it's fair for you to pay £80 for my men's labour. I explained I have already paid over £400 in a week on the car and lost 2 days wages for having time off because my car is unreliable. They said ‘that’s not my problem is it’.

I went to collect my car; they told me that there was a major electric fault with the car and the oxygen was not getting through to the fuel tank. He then said extremely rudely!! I hope you appreciate me and my men have been working on your car for three days. Then he said in a raised voice ‘well I only think it's fair for you to pay £80 for my mens labour’. I then tried to explain that I paid an extra £400 for a extra years warranty on the car and I reported this problem before the warranty expired, he said very rudely and loudly ‘I don’t care, my men have worked on your car for 3 days! I then tried to explain I have spend a lot of money on the car within a week, but he said ‘that’s not my problem’ and threw my car keys across the table at me, and said ‘ don’t you ever come back to my garage again, expecting us to fix your car!!!’

I took the car home, the car worked for a few days, and the same problem is now back. I have already had to take a further 2 days off work due to this. This is ongoing, I have reported the problem to trading standards and are now helping me. I advice you all do the same. Keep you posted.