2002 Renault Clio Extreme from UK and Ireland - Comments

Guess what, we have another one!

My Clio purchased new Feb 2007 has now a cut out problem - so far 2 or 3 times. It usually started after 5 - 15 minutes. Last time 3 June 2008 it just wouldn't start and even the AA couldn't get it started, he thought it had something to do with the petrol/pump, towed it into the Garage - left overnight and started first thing on 4 June. Garage ran all the tests and can't find anything. Mechanic even took it home with him - nothing. Renault must have some idea of whats causing it.

I have fixed three 1,2 Clios, by working systematically through the harness with a high accuracy resistance meter, this is a painstaking process, but as I have learned, just because you find "a fault" that does not mean you stop there.

It seems that each car is slightly different,　but there will be a number of high resistances, giving rise to failed signals to the ECU.

I'm hoping to build up a databases of resistances to speed up the process．At present it takes between 4 and 8 hours to complete.

The diagnostic machines rely on the wiring being good, hence all the false failed component codes from dealers.

Similarly disturbing the harness when fitting a component or undertaking work can give a temporary reprieve, seeming like the replacement part/work was the fix.

I do not doubt that the mechanical fixes are needed as well, however the underlying problem of high resistance has made this circuit drop close to its lower thresholds in the first place, so making that element less fault tolerant.

I can guarantee to date this approach works. If you are interested in contacting me to discuss further, please mail me on dgsutton2000@yahoo.co.uk

Hi, after reading all the comments on here, I can't believe that Renault are still selling Clio. I have an 1.2 16v 02 reg Clio Extreme and it is constantly cutting out at junctions and stalling itself!

The airbag light and service light has been on since I bought it, yet nothing seems to be wrong with the air bag and also every couple of months, the orange electrical fault light comes on, but yet again-nothing is ever wrong when it's checked out! It also drinks oil like it's going out of fashion; what's that all about??!

What a joke! After reading these comments, I'm considering getting rid of my Clio!

Problems and some fixes:

Lack of power on 1.5 dci, as if turbo not working - EGV Valve needs cleaning. (in a little tube near top rear on engine) £40 got me an oil change and egv clean at same time.

Intermittent starting seems to be Relays near battery as per previous post, will update as I get more info.

My car always starts 2nd time but never first. so far all soloutions apart from relay idea had no effect.

I've got a 2001 renault clio 1.2 16v dynamique, similar problems to most:

- airbag warning light.

- service light always on - even a week after service!!!

(not bothered about these problems they are common faults and don't seem to affect the running of the car)

However I've also experienced a sticking handbrake - had to call out the RAC!

And now the most recent and severe fault: the car appears to be dead: the ignition turns on, coil lights go out but when the key is turned to start the engine - nothing. the starter motor doesn't start there is no sound what so ever! - some times I can turn the steering wheel from side to side and then try again and it starts!!! WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT???

I am now regretting ever buying this car.

I have a Renault Clio 1.2 16v and it is a 03 plate.

Last year the engine management light flashed up, and the power cut out on a dual carriageway, which was quite scary as my hazard lights stopped working as well, and there could have had a bad accident.

Then I got it repaired, but my air bag light is always on. Have recently had my car serviced, and up until yesterday the service light was showing.

This morning, I got in the car and again the engine management light showed up, and the car had no power.

The sunroof rattles, and I ain't willing to spend anymore money on this car.

Especially when there are always ongoing issues, and the mechanics never know the problem, so it ends up costing a lot more.

I am considering selling my car soon, and would never ever buy or recommend it to anyone again!!!!!

2003 53 Clio 1.2 16v Dynamique.

Problem with the engine management light coming on many times and going into 'limp mode'. Lots of things replaced but still happens.

Recent problem with intermittently not starting apparently down to corroded wires in the engine.

Currently the electrics are playing up in that the lights (all of them including head, sides, fogs, brakes, indicators and instrument lighting) or wipers suddenly stop working and only start again by restarting the engine. Also it leaks above the passenger door (A pillar?) possibly related to this.

Also had problem with airbag and service light on after service by Renault dealer, told it was due to damaging the wires under the passenger seat possibly by cleaning the car or moving it to let passengers in (it's a 3 door)!

Also:

Sunroof rattles (obviously)

Whistling from drivers mirror.

Front brakes squeak a lot. Brakes have been replaced but still happens, Renault dealer told me its 'brake dust'.

Rant Over... For now!

I don't know whether to be relieved or devastated to see so many people are having similar problems to me with their Clio's... I've got a faulty car with no apparent solution, but hey, at least I'm not the only one!

Mine's an '02 1.2 16v which has always had an engine tremor, this has got progressively worse to the point of stalling at low rev's and now the wonderful 'dangerous emisions' light flashes whenever I am stuck in traffic and the revs are low for a sustained period of time.

I'm refusing to take it to Renault, I know too well the outcome - 'We couldn't find anything wrong with it, that's £80 please'. I'm going to get a friend to look at the Throttle Body, i'll tape up the wires on the blackbox and ultimately I will only buy german cars from now on!

If anyone else has any other suggestions I'd be really grateful to hear, do you think these cars will have any kind of resale value?!

Tim.

I can't believe this! Took my Clio 1.2 Dynamique (2003 model) to the garage less than 6 months ago because the orange coil light lit up on the dash board. Took it to the garage and cost me a total of £180 to have the spark plugs and one of the ignition coils replaced including labour and vat! Now another fault has occured...surprise!!??? The engine emissions warning light has recently lit up on the dashboard, and the clio is in the garage now as I write this post. Just got a call from the garage now saying the wiring harness (loom) needes replacing as it is corroded and there's micro breaks in the wires. They are making it out as if its not a design fault, and it just tends to happen! Pathetic! They are now charging me £357 in total for a new wiring harness including labour...ridiculous! Who has that sort of money to just pull out their pockets!? They also said if the wiring harness doesn't solve the problem, then one of the sensors may need replacing which could cost a further £190 on top!! Renault need to sort it out bigtime no joke! I hope they have a national recall and watchdog do something about it! A 300 post thread is convincing enough right! Bottomline is don't buy a clio, or even any Renault at that!

2002 12 16v dynamique.

Hi.

After reading the posts I'm absolutely shocked. I too have been experiencing the same problems like many of you and have spent hundreds of pounds on trying to fix the problem. The electronic management light appears and the car cuts out, whilst I'm driving!I have been told by Renault its the throttle body. Renault said by cleaning the throttle body could resolve the problem and also changing the wiring (£450). I've had this done and its broken down again after the light appearing. I think we should all start a partition to Renault to get these cars recalled as its clearly a fault on all of the cars. If anyone has any info or anything that my mechanic should try I would really appreciate it. thanks all!

Fantastic thread, Renault should keep tabs on this and see how many pi55ed off customers they have.

I have a 2003 53 1.2 16v Dynamique with 30k on the clock. It's a great car.. except I have the ABS and SERV light come on once I'm over 60mph for a minute or more. Switching off the engine at the end of the journey generally makes it go away. Looking on the web it seems this an ABS sensor problem...

When I got it (2 months ago) it was misfiring and occasionally stalling when idle, so took it back to the garage and they reluctantly changed the coil pack, hey presto it was fixed.

It has always done funny stuff with the revs on start up - revs between 500 and 1000rpm, up and down for 3 seconds and then settles to a 750rpm idle. Is this normal?? My old 1997 Clio didn't do this...

Now the car periodically stalls just after start up, maybe once every 50 starts. Annoying but manageable.

I guess everyone should check the black box and electrical tape around all wires individually where the wires break out of the box. This (grounding/shorting) problem is such a basic design consideration for any electrical system I am amazed *any* car manufacturer has problems with this in the 21st century...

Oh, and moan like f**k to Renault/Watchdog/local press/and picket your dealership if they get annoyed (block their main doors and tell customers not to buy their cars, that'll get their attention!!).

Maybe a mass-demo at Renault HQ would also help :)

Cheers

Ed.

I bought an 02 plate Clio 1.2 Dynamique with 72000 on the clock about 1 month ago. I have experienced the same problems as many others here in that the engine occasionally seems like it wants to stall and the electric fault light comes on. It doesn't happen every time & I Can't tell when it's going to happen. It does seem to be at it's worse though when in slow/stopping traffic. So far, if it does stall at least it starts again first time. Sometimes though, when moving off it seems as if there's no power there. Most of the time, particularly at higher speeds the engine seems fine & quite responsive. I've taken the car back to the dealer twice now & have so far had a lambda sensor replaced, new plugs & coil pack but the fault is still there. I have arranged for it to go onto a diagnostic system on Tuesday, but previous postings do not fill me with confidence that this will identify the problem. I have told the dealer that if the car is not sorted out properly, this time I shall be returning it for a full refund as I do not consider it "fit for purpose" under the sale of goods act.

No more Clio for me. (smiffy_pudsey@hotmail.com)

I have a 57 Clio 1.2 TCE the problem I am getting is that when I fill up with fuel(petrol) the fuel gauge reads where it was prior to fill up ie if it read half a tank and I filled to the brim then turned on ignition the gaue still reads half a tank any answers?

Hi all.

I have a 53 reg 1.4 16v Clio, that I've had for a couple of years now. Within two weeks of owning it, I had to have one of the coil packs replaced (by the dealer).

Two months later, I had to have another two done. This time by Renault. Word to all; If you go to a dealer, they should replace the coil packs for FREE as they have extended warranty (know issue).

Since then, I have had the wiring re-soldered under the seats for the airbags (cheaky gits wanted £190 per seat! I said no of course, and they did the pair for £90).

I have also been experiencing lumpiness, especially when I fill up with cheapy fuel. Renault can't figure out what it is, and they can't explain why I'm only getting 31.9mpg!!! (no I don't rag it!!!)

I'm currently writing this from a campsite in Belgium, where my car decided that it didn't want to go any further, and stopped (whilst doing 130kph on the motorway). I managed to coast it in safely (avoiding the huge arctic that I had just over taken), and get it recovered to a Renault garage.

The guy reckons that its the distributor, and they get replaced every 100,000km here. This is going to set me back around €2000!!!

Needless to say, Renault will be hearing from me and my solicitor when I get back to the UK!!!