Hopeless Heroes: Kiltox’ home for early-00s Renners and other basket cases.

[SiC]

PAS whine is a bit of a character of these. Probably worth changing the fluid though.

Trim rattles ... 00s era cheap shitbox Renault 😄

[Kiltox]

Just now, SiC said:

PAS whine is a bit of a character of these. Probably worth changing the fluid though.

Trim rattles ... 00s era cheap shitbox Renault 😄

It’s really bad, I’m pretty sure the pump is dying. 

[Kiltox]

Vel Satis looks more like this

 

[Kiltox]

oh, I've left the line in about the rear brakes from the Clio - thankfully those appear to be fine at the moment, but you never know, Shatis, innit. 

[SiC]

Wipers I had similar on my Laguna II. If the body computer doesn't detect the wiper park switch when off after a few wipes, it disables the wipers entirely for that drive session. A really fucking annoying failure mode when out and about. Would have made more sense to just stop them after a time out, no matter where they were on the screen and allow the switch to to make them continue - like most other cars. 

If it's the switch then the body computer signal on live data should show if it's being registered. 

[Kiltox]

10 minutes ago, SiC said:

Wipers I had similar on my Laguna II. If the body computer doesn't detect the wiper park switch when off after a few wipes, it disables the wipers entirely for that drive session. A really fucking annoying failure mode when out and about. Would have made more sense to just stop them after a time out, no matter where they were on the screen and allow the switch to to make them continue - like most other cars. 

If it's the switch then the body computer signal on live data should show if it's being registered. 

There’s an entire linkage assembly in the parts hoard - is the switch removable? 

[SiC]

Just now, Kiltox said:

There’s an entire linkage assembly in the parts hoard - is the switch removable? 

Dunno, almost certainly part of the motor. I replaced the whole linkage and motor assembly as Laguna II motor/wiper assemblies were easy to get hold of and cheap as chips. I guess less so for a Vel Satis. Wouldn't be surprised if the motor is identical to what is used on a Laguna though. 

[SiC]

Does it have a sunroof? Laguna iirc was prone to drains blocking up and dumping water over the body computer. Which it really didn't like and gave weird electrical faults. 

[Kiltox]

1 minute ago, SiC said:

Dunno, almost certainly part of the motor. I replaced the whole linkage and motor assembly as Laguna II motor/wiper assemblies were easy to get hold of and cheap as chips. I guess less so for a Vel Satis. Wouldn't be surprised if the motor is identical to what is used on a Laguna though. 

I guess given I’ve already got one I can skip that hurdle. 

[beko1987]

Can you take the arms off and see is just the linkage plays nice? Could be the blades dragging on the screen exacerbatingthe symptoms of something being a bit worn/fucked? If it still fucks about then it could be a smoll microswitch full of shite?

I found the linkage assembly fairly easy to dismantle and lightly grease each joint and pivot on the qq but it won't help if it's all quite worn out.

I'd imagine you'd need the arms off to get the scuttle plastics off anyway regardless 🤷

[Kiltox]

8 minutes ago, beko1987 said:

Can you take the arms off and see is just the linkage plays nice? Could be the blades dragging on the screen exacerbatingthe symptoms of something being a bit worn/fucked? If it still fucks about then it could be a smoll microswitch full of shite?

I found the linkage assembly fairly easy to dismantle and lightly grease each joint and pivot on the qq but it won't help if it's all quite worn out.

I'd imagine you'd need the arms off to get the scuttle plastics off anyway regardless 🤷

The wipers work perfectly fine when they work, and stop working completely when they don’t - ie they stay parked and flicking the stalk does nothing. I think @SiC’s prediction about the park switch sounds very plausible. 

No sunroof. 

It first did it in the pissing rain on the way home but has done it in long spells of dry weather too, which makes me wonder about the body computer in water theory. Probably worth checking regardless. 

[yes oui si]

A dose of rainx will help as well... 

[yes oui si]

Whilst I wouldn't say no to an Avantime, there's something about the Vel Satis that just does it for me... Possibly the 'I don't give a fuck about how I look' styling. 

[Kiltox]

Seems that both of my fine 2002 vintage Renaults have some issues with their water. Have had to top both up quite a bit, it doesn’t appear to be pissing out of either but I assume there’s some kind of leak! 

[Kiltox]

Currently a passenger in the Shatis on the way to the airport. Should probably fix this 👌 

[dome]

On 10/06/2025 at 20:42, Kiltox said:

 

Rip the interior out and fit a cage.😉 

AC, throw it away and get a cup alternator conversion with a much simpler aux belt setup that's less likely to wreck the engine when it snaps. 

Induction kit, Neil or I can put you in touch with Clio Stu who will have something in stock- same for consumables too. 

Boot struts tired - remove the engine and running gear, throw away the Clio and find a Kangoo. 

Some of the above may be more serious than others 

 

[Kiltox]

11 hours ago, dome said:

Rip the interior out and fit a cage.😉 

AC, throw it away and get a cup alternator conversion with a much simpler aux belt setup that's less likely to wreck the engine when it snaps. 

Induction kit, Neil or I can put you in touch with Clio Stu who will have something in stock- same for consumables too. 

Boot struts tired - remove the engine and running gear, throw away the Clio and find a Kangoo. 

Some of the above may be more serious than others 

 

It absolutely needs to stay as standard inside and out as possible - mechanical bits can be upgraded as required but I want it to look stock. 

I do want working AC though, I’ll risk wrecking the engine for not being too hot