11th Mar 2009, 18:31
Purchased an S Reg 1998 1.4 RT Clio in September 06 as my 1st car. Have been reading the comments on this forum, and there seems to be a common theme that a coil pack fails, causing severe loss of power and also problems where the engine cuts out altogether, both of which I have experienced.
Coil Pack - Started having problems where the car would be running OK, then suddenly power would drop dramatically with very slow acceleration. The problem was intermittent, which was most annoying and made it difficult to determine what it was. Took the car to my mechanic who said that it was 1 of the 2 coil packs that was faulty. Replaced the faulty pack, which solved the problem (cost £80 approx inc. labour). Effectively when the coil pack failed, the engine was running on only 2 out of the 4 cylinders, hence the loss of power.
Engine Cut Out - Had this happen to me 2 or 3 times now, where I have either been going along (on a busy A road in rush hour!) or coming up to traffic lights. Again took the car to my mechanic who got the computer read for me. Came back with no fault (typical), but he was advised that we wipe the computer, then wait to see if it happens again, and then do a re-test. That was about 4 months ago and haven't had any problems since.
Had a few other problems (probably due to age), but it seems to be one thing after the other lately, and it's really getting on my nerves. Maybe time to get a new car.
19th Mar 2009, 15:32
I am also having exactly the same problems.
I have had my Clio 1.2 (2002) for about 2 years, and never had any problems until last November when the car started to lose power intermittently.
I took it to my local garage and typically they could not find anything wrong with it. The computer did not show any errors, and they could not get my car to recreate the problem.
They gave my car a full service, changed the spark plugs and fitted a new coil (£250).
Everything was then perfect with my car again until last week when I conked out on the M25 and the orange coil light came on. Since then I have been conking out without any warning at least once a day. The car is also running bumpier than usual and judders occasionally.
I have taken my car back to the same garage and they claimed it was the other coil, which they replaced last Saturday (£100). The day after I was driving my car and sure enough it conked out again!
I have taken the car back to the garage again today and they claim they cannot find anything wrong with it, and do not think it is driving bumpy and juddery. They think the last fault must not have been wiped from the memory, which was causing the fault again, and so have wiped the memory today. They told me to bring it back if I have any more problems. I thought the garage was just incompetent, but after reading all the reports on here I realise it is a common problem. Fingers crossed the car will be OK from now on, but I am not holding my breath.
It also appears from reading on here that it is a recurring problem, and that it can be fine for a few months and then start again. It is such a shame as I really love my car, but will have to get rid of it if this continues.
25th Mar 2009, 09:17
I am also the owner of a '02 Clio (Dynamique). It started with the orange engine management light coming on. Stalling coming up to red lights, in reverse, on roundabouts.. revs not registering for a few seconds, even with foot to the floor...
They (Renault Garage) couldn't find a fault so decided to replace the battery - (€100). Still continued...
Left it back into them, diagnostics said the pressure sensor needed to be replaced. (€300) Was OK for 2/3 days then back to the same problem. Immediately after that I found this thread so I took it to another garage after reading here and had the cables insulated and the throttle body cleaned.. (€50) Same...
As we speak it's back in the Renault garage and diagnostics (the third set!!) they have said it needs a new throttle body. (€690)
Why did this not come up the first or second set diagnostics? Waiting on the manager to call me now, as I'm not paying another cent! At this rate the repairs are going to end up costing more than the car is worth.
The saga continues...
26th Mar 2009, 18:33
I drive a 2002 Clio Expression 1.2.
Orange coil light had been constantly on for around 6 weeks. As the car seemed to be driving OK, I ignored this, but then the engine suddenly started juddering when I accelerated past 3000 rpm, then no power from the accelerator.
Took it to the local garage who said they have seen loads of these with the same problem:
The metal box enclosed around the ECU to the back of the engine is loose, and has cut into the wiring loom, causing moisture to get into the electrics. He showed me the problem, and you can literally see inside the wires where the plastic insulation has been totally munched away! Have a look yourself. You'll think 'what sort of mickey mouse design is that?!'
Work:
1) Remove the metal box with an angle grinder and re-insulate wires with electrical tape.
2) Reset computer.
Cost: Free.
Have done around 1,000 miles since the work with no further problems. (apart from the door handle breaking off and the hazard light switch getting stuck in!
Tom.
2nd Apr 2009, 02:17
Hi! It's so good to know that there are lots of people with Clio's having the same problem!! Or not! New cars shouldn't be so crap!
4th Apr 2009, 07:59
I too have a Renault Clio Expression 52 plate and have suffered the same problems as everyone else.
Should I have logged on to the site first, would have saved myself a couple of hundred pounds.
However I now have a new problem that last August 08, I was traveling back from my dad's and hit nose to tail traffic. Halfway through my journey the hazard fumes warning light came on and has been coming on intermittently ever since. I was lucky enough to have a friend who had a hand held diagnostic kit to the test, and it came back with air intake temperature sensor. Does anyone know how to fix this without going to the local rip off Renault dealers?
Incidentally I am about to have the timing belt done, which is going to cost me £180 by a friend.
7th Mar 2009, 04:59
Further to my posting of 19th Feb 2009;
I took the inlet manifold off our Clio 1.2 16v with my son. We took the Throttle Body off and cleaned it. It had quite a lot of oily deposits on it. We cleaned it externally with Carb Cleaner (we didn't dismantle the unit) and it looked like a new part when we re-fitted it. I followed the guidance in the Haynes manual to re-programme the unit after removal. Unfortunately this hasn't cured the problem although the thing will now rev to 4k revs, but that's it. I've taken the car into a friends garage and he seems to think that the problem is related to the wiring! He says that he has measured the volts coming off the Throttle Potentiometer and that one side measures 5v, but the other only 3v, so he thinks this maybe part of the problem. I'm going to see him later today to have a chat. As before I will keep everyone updated as to my progress and if we cure the problem, I'll share my findings with you!
CDM.