Renulat hlep PLS

[Cavcraft]

Just been to collect my Renault Scenic 1.9 diesel that I bought before. The seller did tell me it could be a bastard to start, sometimes one turn of the key, sometimes 20. He got it running before I got there and it restarted twice whilst I was there. The next time (I kept deliberately turning it on and off) it wouldn't go, then two or three turns of the key and it was away.

 

He did say when it was going to start you could hear the fuel pump (or what we assumed was the fuel pump) whirr. Anyhow, went to collect it before and it wasn't having it. Wiggled various wires, tried locking/unlocking the car to see if immobiliser related and there's an issue with the car locking anyhow. Wouldn't start. I'm not moaning about the seller, he was honest from the off and was embarrassed when it wouldn't start when I went to collect it before.

 

So...is there a common issue with these (it's a 2002 Fidji DCi 1.9) besides Renaults just being shit anyhow? Have internet searched for answers, few different suggestions but just wondered if anyone on here had experienced this and if so what the problem was.

It's still tested until Jan and quite a tidy car to be honest, so probably (but not definitely) worth saving, though I'll approach some yards to see if there's a drink in it for me to just offload it 'as is'!

 

TIA M8s    

[SiC]

Is the red immo light flashing away when failing to start? This age Renault keys (used in Clio's too) have a tendency to fail. Plenty of online sellers offering cheap fix services.

[bub2006]

Starting problems

From Tony Brown: Twice now my Scenic has been a pain to start, especially if by accident you press the accelerator pedal before starting it. Turned out it was the Top Dead Centre (TDC) Sensor each time. Apparently on the Scenic and other Renaults, the sensor collects fragments of metal/filings on the sensor (must be magnetic) which, if not cleaned away, leads to starting problems (sometimes up to 20 attempts before it does start !) It is bolted to the engine by two bolts and is easily removed for a clean up - I used a wire brush, a rag soaked in WD40 and rebolted it back in and the problem went away. It took 12 months to return but a repeat clean up sorted the problem again. A friend took his to a local car repairer and they charged him �60 to sort - they tried to say they had replaced the TDC but hadn't, just cleaned it like I did. See also here on the Renault Forums.

From Darren Aldrich: Sometimes my Scenic will start first turn of key and other times it can take up to 8 turns of the key. [Later] Turned out to be the petrol pump relay.

[bub2006]

A bit of googling cav. Hope its some help for you mate

[bub2006]

Had appalling problems getting my Scenic to start recently. Apparently water leaks (from the sunroof) into the lamp-box above windscreen and the moisture travels down the wiring to the ECU, housed in the offside wing. Solution was having the ECU replaced.

[bub2006]

I think fidji spec had twin roofs along with funky color window switches so the above may be relevant too

[Pillock]

Fuel pump whirring when it's going to start does suggest a relay, although that relay might be controlled from the ECU. Start wiggling stuff in the fusebox and pulling stuff out to see if it's all corroded and stuff? 

[worldofceri]

Sounds like the problem I have with my Saab.

 

Always starts as long as you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the ignition on.

 

Except when it doesn't.

[cort16]

I'd try giving it a sniff of easy start/carb cleaner up the air hole.

[Kiltox]

Cam/crank sensors caused intermittent no start on my Trafic

[Jim Bell]

Have you checked the centre of the front grille?  Common issue on these.  If theres a Renault badge there, youre onto a losser.

[SiC]

Cam/crank sensors on Renault's usually cause problems when they're warm. But then that auto Scenic I had had trouble with its cam sensor when it was cold. So could be anything, it could be fucked, because it is a Renault.

[Barry Cade]

Try squeezing the key hard if it doesn't start, circuit boards in them crack. If the immobiliser light is flashing it won't go, just turn and turn. Crank sensor issues give themselves away with no movement of the rev counter when cranking, try wiggling the loom that goes round over the starter, wires go really brittle and cause these issues.Cam sensors won't stop these from starting.

[25v6turbo]

Old shape scenics have a 2nd pump up near the front chassis leg,its like a lift pump and plays up often on these.

[Cavcraft]

The crank sensors don't look too expensive nor difficult to replace, probably worth a try, cheers.

[Split_Pin]

I cleaned the tdc sensor in my Megane with my maws old silversmith file and it cured the intermittent starting issue straight away.

[theorganist]

I had a FTP on one of these due to a failed Crankshaft sensor. It happened only when hot starting and would be okay if you left it for an hour!

[Kiltox]

My van wouldn't start in the morning from cold and cleaning the crankshaft sensor sorted it out..

[DeeJay]

If the immobiliser is in the front courtesy light water gets in through the aerial hole and buggers it up.

Hair dryer and silicon should sort it.

[sierraman]

Is there air getting in the system?