2002 Renault Clio Extreme from UK and Ireland - Comments

Just an update on my comments added 16th Nov 2008 at 17.03pm.

The car is with the dealer. They have just phoned a second time to request another day as they cannot 'replicate' the problem on their diagnostic machine while out in the car! Whatever that means! Basically if the computer can't source the problem, no one can it seems. They obviously haven't read the comments here!

It is obviously a fault which is very time consuming to source/remedy. I get the feeling this is hassle the mechanics don't want, and I don't blame them as after all they have a business to run and targets presumably.

Renault need to look at this, as this sudden lack of power/speed without warning will cause accidents or possibly worse!

My advice to anyone with the hint of a problem re orange light coming on and the resulting 'crawl home' is get rid as soon as possible! Better still don't buy in the first place.

If this car is sorted, I intend to trade in immediately, to same network as dealer! But feel guilty when considering the poor fool who then buys it from them!

On a brighter note, the courtesy car, a Nissan Micra, is a great wee run about, and only costing me £11 per day!

Strange though a Renault dealership using Nissans as their courtesy cars? Or maybe not!

Should the dealer actually repair the car, I will update with details of actual repair, but I'm not hopeful!

We have had 4.5 years of relatively hassle free motoring with the Clio, current problems and airbag issue aside, my only option would be to scrap the car as I will not be able to sell on a car in its current driveable state! In modern terms, this is a poor show from Renault, and they should recognise their responsibilities.

Hi everyone.

I'm also a long-suffering Clio driver (1.2 16v Dymanique - 53 plate) and have experienced starting problems and the engine suddenly cutting-out at various driving speeds. Both of these issues usually accompanied by the electronic fault 'coil' warning light and toxic fume warning light on the dash.

I finally had enough the other day, and thanks to this forum, I think that I have now solved my problem. It turned out to be corrosion on the pins of one of the relays on right-hand-side (as you face it) of the engine bay under the plastic cover.

I have a total of 7 relays in the engine bay - the problem one in my case was 1 of 3 slightly smaller than the rest brown-coloured relays (part no. 8200 263 345). It was the one located nearest to the engine. I'm not even sure what the relay controls as the Haynes manual is fairly vague but probably either fuel injection or ignition - does anyone know?

Once the corrosion was removed with some emery cloth and the relay securely located the problem has gone away. I'm going to replace it anyway and have just ordered a replacement (High Tech PR41) from my local car spares place - the cost £4.99, which although isn't cheap for a relay, is much less than I noted a previous poster paid for the genuine Renault part (£15 I think it was).

Anyway, I hope this helps some of you. I realise that there are a whole raft of issues that can cause similar symptoms.

Bloody Renault!

Chris

To the person having problems with coil light who added comments on 16th Nov -

Fix for the problem - Coil light, engine cutting out at junctions & poor idling.

You do not need to replace the throttle body, you simply need to clean it! I say simply, but there is a step by step guide on how to do this here:

http://www.retro-renault.com/forums/renault-1997-present-day/106-chr-customer-car-mike-fs-mk2-clio-1-2-16v.html

The only extra info I needed, that I got directly from the guy who made the initial thread was how to get the inlet manifold off - I will admit it wasn't easy - some of the bolts are really hard to get to, but after a couple of hours we were in, cleaned it up put it back together in no time and the problem has gone.

-Getting to the inlet manifold-

Unplug the ECU connectors and the map pipe and the charcoal canister plastic pipe on the left of the manifold.

You need to unbolt the manifold from the head, this is the tricky bit, you'll need a 1/4 drive 10mm and a long extension to reach in the gap between the runners. There are 8 or 9 bolts.

When that's done it will be loose, but at the back there's 2 vertical bolts holding it in.

When that's done it will lift up, flip it over and you'll see the loom clipped to the underside and the throttle body, it's held in by T30 screws.

All this cost me and my dad was a few hours of our time and a can of carb cleaner. I would definitely recommend doing this yourself and save yourself being ripped off by Renault replacing all sorts of things that really don't need to be done.

The reason Renault won't fix it is because it's a pain in the backside to get to the throttle body, especially for their incompetent mechanics. If you can find a garage that deals specifically in fixing french cars, they will do it in about an hour and you don't need to replace ANY new parts so it will cost less.

The problem with the diagnostics check is that with the nature of the problem, it can lead to false error codes or indeed none at all, but the problem still remains. I refuse to believe that they do not know what the problem is, go mad at them!

That's my partners Clio Expression 1.2 16v 52 plate finally fixed by Dealer!

This is an update to original posting 16th Nov 2008 17:03 and last update 18th Nov 2008 08:51.

They took 3 days to diagnose problem! obviously working on car periodically each day when it suited rather than working on it until it was sorted. A replacement upstream O2 sensor fault finally located! £109 for the replacement part so all together including 3 days courtesy car cost £275.83!!

A fault also showed, eventually, with the accelerator pedal potentiometer but this fault disappeared when first fault sorted and as second is apparently more expensive than first to repair they left it but if problem returns it will be this!! Magic. (I'll leave a note for the next owner)

They explained further that originally they thought there could be a problem with wiring loom or throttle body but could not source a fault with either.

At end of second day they discovered two possible 'stored' faults the O2 sensor c2 and accelerator pedal sensor.

O2 sensor replaced end of day 2 and next morning road test failed to recreate 2nd fault so car now driving normally.

Car is now driving as good as ever but will be traded in at weekend as all faith in its reliability gone and having experienced the 'customer care' at Dealer I will not be back! Its obviously too time consuming a car to repair with several different reasons for this orange light issue! all time consuming to nail down due to design of car obviously! and is a future problem best avoided by everyone I would advise.

So good luck everyone I have found many of the posts here useful and will have a look here before buying another car!

Having already had a look at several other models discussed here it looks like it will be a Ford Focus next!

Fingers crossed.

I have a 51 plate 1.6, 16v Clio, which I bought 2nd hand about 6 months ago, it has 70,000 miles on the clock.

Almost from when I first bought it, it has very little power when I first start it up, where it feels like it is about to cut out. The problem has steadily got worse to the point where it often cuts out several times when I first start to pull off, and worse still it has now started doing this when I am driving (luckily so far not at speeds over 20mph).

Also sometimes when I am moving up the gears, it loses power when I try to accelerate, then seems to "jump" back into the correct power??? I've never had any warning lights come on at all.

After reading all the comments I'm worried to take it to a dealership, but cannot afford to be without my car for even one week day, as I have no other way of getting to work, and am worried as being a female without much car knowledge that I will of course be ripped off, any suggestions much welcome.

Unfortunately getting a new car just isn't an option at the moment due to financial circumstances.

**A FIX***

Would just like to add to the post a few positions up.

We have a 2001 1.2 16V clio & have had all the symptoms described here, coil light on, rough running, poor idle, hunting revs e.t.c.

All we needed to do was to clean the throttle body, it was a simple job all that was required was some carb cleaner & a new air filter.

It now runs perfect well as good as it did before! Also the coil light has gone out so all happy & a fix for a tenner. result.

Please do not buy Renault.

The following problems have arisen:

Only given one key when purchased and have reported on many occasions problems with unlocking the car, on several occasions unable to get into the car.

The car also cuts out and loses power when driving. The car shudders and the lights flash. The warning is staying on now.

I reported the problem when I took the car in for a service in October, which I had a courtesy car for the day, which I had to pay £20 to insure. The receptionist told me the problem was fixed as they replaced the TCD system.

On that same evening the car continued to cut out when driving and I struggled to get the car started. I phoned on Saturday morning to report the problem, the garage asked me to phone back on Monday as there was no one who could help to then. I phoned back on Monday, and the garage asked me to bring the car down. I had to take the day off work. I left the car at the garage for the day. I received an abrupt phone later that afternoon, to say there is nothing wrong with the car. I collected the car, that evening the car continued to cut out and lose power. The next day the car broke down and I had trouble starting it. I phoned the garage on the Wednesday morning to report the problem, they told me to bring the car down. I took the car down to the garage within 15 minutes, I arrived their the receptionist to told me they cannot look at the car for another week. I missed another day’s work.

I returned the car a week later. Renault said they would have the car over night to see if there is a problem. They phoned me the next day, very abruptly on the phone and said I have had your car over night, I could not fault your car, I could not find anything wrong with it, however the car has broken down on us this morning (sighed down the phone) and said I hope you appreciate what my garage is doing for you. I explained I have reported this problem on several occasions, they then said well ‘love’ it's not our fault if we cannot find the problem, then said I will have the car for another day to fix it, and will call you tomorrow.

The next day they phoned and said the car is fixed, and I hope you have appreciated the time we have spent on the car! He then said I only think it's fair for you to pay £80 for my men's labour. I explained I have already paid over £400 in a week on the car and lost 2 days wages for having time off because my car is unreliable. They said ‘that’s not my problem is it’.

I went to collect my car; they told me that there was a major electric fault with the car and the oxygen was not getting through to the fuel tank. He then said extremely rudely!! I hope you appreciate me and my men have been working on your car for three days. Then he said in a raised voice ‘well I only think it's fair for you to pay £80 for my mens labour’. I then tried to explain that I paid an extra £400 for a extra years warranty on the car and I reported this problem before the warranty expired, he said very rudely and loudly ‘I don’t care, my men have worked on your car for 3 days! I then tried to explain I have spend a lot of money on the car within a week, but he said ‘that’s not my problem’ and threw my car keys across the table at me, and said ‘ don’t you ever come back to my garage again, expecting us to fix your car!!!’

I took the car home, the car worked for a few days, and the same problem is now back. I have already had to take a further 2 days off work due to this. This is ongoing, I have reported the problem to trading standards and are now helping me. I advice you all do the same. Keep you posted.

Look at 1998 Renault Clio comments: Stylish, yet affordable Super-mini.

I have the same problem with my Clio. It's an 04 plate 1.6, only done 39k miles, having problems starting it and when I do manage to start, its revs barely come off the first notch. It seems to help if I pump the brake pedal to send the revs higher, but now I have an engine management light on and the car sounds like it's misfiring and will cut out when I come to stop..

Not too sure what to do after reading all these posts; just got some spark plugs and going to clean the throttle body, but by the sounds of it this will not help me out. :(

I have a 53 Renault Clio Dynamic and I will be getting rid of it in the New Year. The most common problems have been:

1. Air bag and service warning lights coming on and of. I have now had this rectified through a diagnostic test but the garage cannot tell me exactly what is wrong with it until the lights come back on! As yet (4 weeks later) they have not.

2. Leaking electric sunroof. Not had done yet but I am sick off sitting on a wet seat!

3. Electrical fault. This is the most serious and should be a warning to all Clio drivers. Last Wednesday on my way home from work I turned a corner and my horn started to go off on its own. Smoke then billowed from the steering column. Luckily it happened just before I was to go onto the motorway and I was able to pull over quickly. The smoke stopped and thankfully (I think) the car did not burst into flames. The AA man said the wiring for the horn had burnt to the metal.

4. Windscreen washer. The driver side has been blocked now for nearly 2 years. I have to manipulate the passenger side so the wash covers the driver side.

5. Other minor faults. Just changing of tyres and lights.

Other than that I have enjoyed the car - I am worried about the bonnet thing and will be getting that checked asap.

After a couple of years of intermittent faults as discussed in this forum, our 51 plate Clio 1.6 16v Dynamique+ has just had large sections of the engine wiring loom replaced due to corrosion. This was particularly bad at the connection with the main loom, and also a section down next to the gearbox. It looks as though the wires have been sitting in antifreeze for several years.

The car was giving all sorts of fault codes (and driving at half power), which have now been cleared without changing a single component. It took over 7 hours of labor and was therefore not a cheap option, but I hope it solves the ongoing frustration with this car.

I have started to have different problems with my Clio now that I drive through rush hour traffic. Every time I go slowly, the car jumps, and sometimes when I stop the revs drop and I have to push the revs to keep it from stalling! I notice from reading the comments on this link it could be a number of things! Has anyone found a solution and how much does it cost?

I have a Renault Clio 51 plate 1.2 and am experiencing all your above problems.

When I first bought the car the air bag light was on, however the dealer said he would fix this for me. This should've been a sign for me not to buy the car!

It was fixed, but then a week later the airbag light came on again, took it back to the dealer who replaced a part for me (something to do with the indicator light as this wasn't going off automatically) I haven't had a problem with this since.

Again, I have a problem with the electrical fault light coming on all the time. I regularly sit in traffic also coming home from work. It comes on and off as it pleases. Usually the only way to get the light to go off is for me to hold the revs at approx 3000 for about a minute. It goes off but sure enough it comes back on again!

It's gradually getting worse. Was driving home last week and it came on approx 10 times. Even when I try and park it comes on!

I'm not sure what this means. I have read a few solutions on this forum, which I am very thankful for. I'm going to try a few of those before I take it to a garage, as I know how expensive they can be!

I did take it to a garage who put it on a diagnostics. I had the spark plugs replaced which didn't cost too much and was told that it would fix my problem.. which it didn't as the light came on again the next day. Didn't feel too hard done by about this as they needed to be replaced anyway!

Also had a problem with it not starting in the mornings, but that has been solved now with a new starter motor.

And lastly, was driving on a busy road about a month ago when the bonnet flew up and smashed my windscreen! Was a terrifying experience and thankfully no one was hurt! But it did cost £300 to have my bonnet and windscreen replaced!!

I have reported the windscreen incident to Renault and am just waiting on a reply from them. I'm not holding my breath on getting any sort of compensation back though.

Airbag and 'SERV' warning light stays on.

Spray all electrical connections (especially the one under the passenger seat) with electrical solvent cleaner, wait until it has evaporated then spray with WD40, also under passenger seat, push wires in to make sure they have not come loose, I have had this problem for a while but it cured it instantly!!, other people on this forum have written the above; I didn't think it would solve it, but it did.

Hi, I have a Renault Clio 1.2 2001, which has hardly done 60000 miles, and it's giving a lot of problems.

The car seems to have no power when I am driving, and is stalling in middle of the road, which is very scary.

Now I will tell you how the problem started, it was running fine and suddenly the electric or electronic problem light on the dash board comes up, and it goes off and it lasted for two weeks. After that it keeps coming on regularly.

I took it to the garage, and they checked the computer chip, I don't know what they did, and told me to replace the map sensor and it is not guaranteed.

I thought he was cheating me, and I took it into another garage, and he took two days to find the problem, and finally he told me to replace the map sensor, and another sensor which fits on the top of the engine. He charged me 450 pounds for that, but after driving for 50 miles, the same problem occurs and it was Christmas time and the garage is closed, and he told me to come on 5th January.

I don't know what he will tell me, but I have had enough problems with french cars. My friends told me not to buy these cars, but just because of the look and the mileage, I bought it, and how can you expect any car after 60000 miles to give problem and it's a shame. So I am telling all of you who are thinking of buying a Renault; you must be a millionaire or you should have enough patience to solve these problems.

Renault are the worst cars I have ever seen in my life.