Renault Clio problem. Can you help?

[benjo83]

Hi guys. Got a problem with a 51 plate Clio. It won't start and won't even tick over. I
Think it might just be a flat battery but it won't jump start either and I'm confused.
Any ideas?
Cheers

[useyourdellusion]

Sounds like the battery may have a dead cell or two...

[jagracer]

Are the jump leads OK, I had problems jump starting my car and found the leads were not making proper contact.
Do the headlights or any of the electrics work on the Clio, if not it's probably the battery.

[benjo83]

Well I didn't try the headlights but the dash is all lit up. The positive terminal has a protector over the top of it and another cable running off it. I'm a bit concerned it's not making a proper connection

[Eggman]

Describe what happens when you turn the key. Does it make a click, or a chattering noise, or does the starter motor turn the engine?

[Pothole]

my old Clio used to do this regularly...it would bump start, though. Tried that?

[HellDiver]

Probably the immobiliser. Common fault on Clios, needs a new ECU, which is usually dearer than the car.

[benjo83]

It makes a quiet click and then a sort of low Chattering noise. Any thoughts? It doesn't sound like the plugs are sparking

[dave328]

Is the earth cable still attached?

[benjo83]

dave328 said:

Is the earth cable still attached?

From what I can tell, everything is where it should be. However, I'm not that experienced under the bonnet so there could be something really obvious staring me in the face and I'm just missing it

[benjo83]

Eggman said:

Describe what happens when you turn the key. Does it make a click, or a chattering noise, or does the starter motor turn the engine?

Sorry, meant to also say,the engne is not turning at all. Cant hear the starter motor doing anything

[maniac0796]

Flat battery from the sounds of it.

Have a look in your handbook to see if there's any plce in particular it tells you to attach jump cables. Otherwise try a bump.

[Eggman]

benjo83 said:

It makes a quiet click and then a sort of low Chattering noise. Any thoughts?

When it does this, do the dashboard lights dim? If so, new battery required (don't muck about charging an old one - winter's coming).

On the other hand, if the dashboard lights stay at the same brightness your starter solenoid needs a whack. If you can see the starter motor from the top of the engine, give it a sharp tap with something like the handle of a big screwdriver (you may need to do this by placing one end of a wooden or metal rod on it and whacking the free end).

Alternatively, try rocking the car in gear (fore and aft, not side to side) then trying the key again - or as somebody suggested above, bump starting it.

Edited by Eggman on Sunday 10th October 12:55

[benjo83]

maniac0796 said:

Flat battery from the sounds of it.

Have a look in your handbook to see if there's any plce in particular it tells you to attach jump cables. Otherwise try a bump.

Right, the manual just says to do as you would with any jump start so at least I know I hooked it up right. Problem with a bump start is that the car is on a raised drive on a main road. I cant get it off the drive and onto the road to do the bump start without causing chaos.

Is there any way to mimic a bump start with the car stationary?

[jagracer]

benjo83 said:

maniac0796 said:

Flat battery from the sounds of it.

Have a look in your handbook to see if there's any plce in particular it tells you to attach jump cables. Otherwise try a bump.

Right, the manual just says to do as you would with any jump start so at least I know I hooked it up right. Problem with a bump start is that the car is on a raised drive on a main road. I cant get it off the drive and onto the road to do the bump start without causing chaos.

Is there any way to mimic a bump start with the car stationary?

Jump start to the battery terminals, you could try and see if the starter is jammed by rocking the car with it in gear to see if it is free.

[Eggman]

benjo83 said:

Is there any way to mimic a bump start with the car stationary?

Starting handles do just that, but not on Clios

[jagracer]

Eggman said:

benjo83 said:

Is there any way to mimic a bump start with the car stationary?

Starting handles do just that, but not on Clios

You need a conveyor belt.

[Eggman]

jagracer said:

You need a conveyor belt.

Or a bit of string, like starting a lawnmower

[benjo83]

Oh great. I'll just go get one from the shed haha. Think I'm just gonna have to pay someone to come and look at it. I've found the starter but can't see it moving. I'm stuck. I was fairly close to agreeing a deal with someone to buy it as well. Guess that's that one up the creek

[maniac0796]

Buy a new battery?