2002 Renault Clio Extreme from UK and Ireland - Comments

Further to my posting of 19th Feb 2009;

I took the inlet manifold off our Clio 1.2 16v with my son. We took the Throttle Body off and cleaned it. It had quite a lot of oily deposits on it. We cleaned it externally with Carb Cleaner (we didn't dismantle the unit) and it looked like a new part when we re-fitted it. I followed the guidance in the Haynes manual to re-programme the unit after removal. Unfortunately this hasn't cured the problem although the thing will now rev to 4k revs, but that's it. I've taken the car into a friends garage and he seems to think that the problem is related to the wiring! He says that he has measured the volts coming off the Throttle Potentiometer and that one side measures 5v, but the other only 3v, so he thinks this maybe part of the problem. I'm going to see him later today to have a chat. As before I will keep everyone updated as to my progress and if we cure the problem, I'll share my findings with you!

CDM.

Purchased an S Reg 1998 1.4 RT Clio in September 06 as my 1st car. Have been reading the comments on this forum, and there seems to be a common theme that a coil pack fails, causing severe loss of power and also problems where the engine cuts out altogether, both of which I have experienced.

Coil Pack - Started having problems where the car would be running OK, then suddenly power would drop dramatically with very slow acceleration. The problem was intermittent, which was most annoying and made it difficult to determine what it was. Took the car to my mechanic who said that it was 1 of the 2 coil packs that was faulty. Replaced the faulty pack, which solved the problem (cost £80 approx inc. labour). Effectively when the coil pack failed, the engine was running on only 2 out of the 4 cylinders, hence the loss of power.

Engine Cut Out - Had this happen to me 2 or 3 times now, where I have either been going along (on a busy A road in rush hour!) or coming up to traffic lights. Again took the car to my mechanic who got the computer read for me. Came back with no fault (typical), but he was advised that we wipe the computer, then wait to see if it happens again, and then do a re-test. That was about 4 months ago and haven't had any problems since.

Had a few other problems (probably due to age), but it seems to be one thing after the other lately, and it's really getting on my nerves. Maybe time to get a new car.

I am also having exactly the same problems.

I have had my Clio 1.2 (2002) for about 2 years, and never had any problems until last November when the car started to lose power intermittently.

I took it to my local garage and typically they could not find anything wrong with it. The computer did not show any errors, and they could not get my car to recreate the problem.

They gave my car a full service, changed the spark plugs and fitted a new coil (£250).

Everything was then perfect with my car again until last week when I conked out on the M25 and the orange coil light came on. Since then I have been conking out without any warning at least once a day. The car is also running bumpier than usual and judders occasionally.

I have taken my car back to the same garage and they claimed it was the other coil, which they replaced last Saturday (£100). The day after I was driving my car and sure enough it conked out again!

I have taken the car back to the garage again today and they claim they cannot find anything wrong with it, and do not think it is driving bumpy and juddery. They think the last fault must not have been wiped from the memory, which was causing the fault again, and so have wiped the memory today. They told me to bring it back if I have any more problems. I thought the garage was just incompetent, but after reading all the reports on here I realise it is a common problem. Fingers crossed the car will be OK from now on, but I am not holding my breath.

It also appears from reading on here that it is a recurring problem, and that it can be fine for a few months and then start again. It is such a shame as I really love my car, but will have to get rid of it if this continues.

I am also the owner of a '02 Clio (Dynamique). It started with the orange engine management light coming on. Stalling coming up to red lights, in reverse, on roundabouts.. revs not registering for a few seconds, even with foot to the floor...

They (Renault Garage) couldn't find a fault so decided to replace the battery - (€100). Still continued...

Left it back into them, diagnostics said the pressure sensor needed to be replaced. (€300) Was OK for 2/3 days then back to the same problem. Immediately after that I found this thread so I took it to another garage after reading here and had the cables insulated and the throttle body cleaned.. (€50) Same...

As we speak it's back in the Renault garage and diagnostics (the third set!!) they have said it needs a new throttle body. (€690)

Why did this not come up the first or second set diagnostics? Waiting on the manager to call me now, as I'm not paying another cent! At this rate the repairs are going to end up costing more than the car is worth.

The saga continues...

I drive a 2002 Clio Expression 1.2.

Orange coil light had been constantly on for around 6 weeks. As the car seemed to be driving OK, I ignored this, but then the engine suddenly started juddering when I accelerated past 3000 rpm, then no power from the accelerator.

Took it to the local garage who said they have seen loads of these with the same problem:

The metal box enclosed around the ECU to the back of the engine is loose, and has cut into the wiring loom, causing moisture to get into the electrics. He showed me the problem, and you can literally see inside the wires where the plastic insulation has been totally munched away! Have a look yourself. You'll think 'what sort of mickey mouse design is that?!'

Work:

1) Remove the metal box with an angle grinder and re-insulate wires with electrical tape.

2) Reset computer.

Cost: Free.

Have done around 1,000 miles since the work with no further problems. (apart from the door handle breaking off and the hazard light switch getting stuck in!

Tom.

Hi! It's so good to know that there are lots of people with Clio's having the same problem!! Or not! New cars shouldn't be so crap!

I too have a Renault Clio Expression 52 plate and have suffered the same problems as everyone else.

Should I have logged on to the site first, would have saved myself a couple of hundred pounds.

However I now have a new problem that last August 08, I was traveling back from my dad's and hit nose to tail traffic. Halfway through my journey the hazard fumes warning light came on and has been coming on intermittently ever since. I was lucky enough to have a friend who had a hand held diagnostic kit to the test, and it came back with air intake temperature sensor. Does anyone know how to fix this without going to the local rip off Renault dealers?

Incidentally I am about to have the timing belt done, which is going to cost me £180 by a friend.

OK guys, let's do something about the Clio issue, I am in the same boat, orange light, no revs, juddering, conking out etc etc etc, and reading this forum has depressed me even further, seeing just how long this has dragged on!!! I have just reported this to Watchdog, please, please, please, can you all do the same and maybe Watchdog can help us all out and give Renault a good stuffing that they are long overdue!!!

I had the stalling problem... you know at traffic lights, etc when revs are meant to idle, revs up and down, then stalls unless you keep your foot on the gas a bit - even though it still just bounces...

Anyway, I recently cured it by simply replacing the upstream 02 sensor - that is the first one near the engine... just put the car up on axle stands or ask a garage to put it up on ramp... then use a wrench to undo the sensor and unplug the wires and put on the new one. You could of course just swap em around - with the sensor on the downpipe/catalytic converter bit of that piping - (the sensor is exactly the same part) that is if you wanna give it a try and save some cash - I think it's wise to sell or exchange this car as soon as possible for a Toyota or Honda... cheaper and reliable. But I still love mine, even with it's issues...

Oh and for the back seats, as there are no ceiling lights/little light back there at all, I would pop down to Halfords and get a prism LED floodlight set for a tenner to set up back there - it looks awesome and it's dead easy to do.

Good luck all.

Nightmare. Bought a 1.2 04 Dymanique 4 months ago, now wish I hadn't. It cuts out at roundabouts and traffic lights. Now on the motorway it starts to jolt and judder, as we are worried about it cutting out kept pulling over. The car is revving on its own. Holds steady at about 2000. Switch off the engine, it then takes 5 minutes to restart. Once started all OK, for a while...

No one can find a fault, and the car is always fine when the mechanic is there! Very very dangerous, and I don't know where to start...

Following on from my comment on 6th April, the majority of people have the same issue, and when a diagnostic is run, it shows that one or several of the sensors are not working. I had 2 or 3 sensors re-newed, fortunately at no cost as my friend got the parts from an autoparts place that he knew (sale or return). Re-ran the diagnostic and it still showed the sensors as failing!!!

We have now finally resolved the problem, but it did involve replacing the entire wiring loom. The problem is that the wiring was being shorted out at the main junction box, which is at the back of the manifold, in the middle top section, you can't miss it, it will be black and when you touch it, it will feel loose. This is the problem!! Because it is loose, it is cutting through the wiring loom. You have 2 choices, either replace the loom as I did, or cut the top off the box and separate the wires and re-insulate them.

I've owned a Y reg 1.2 Clio for a few years now and hadn't had any problems with it until a year ago. It starts up first time every morning, but as soon as I turn the engine off (after an approx 30 min drive) it won't re-start. I then have to sit in the car for approx 15 minutes, let the engine cool down and try again whereby it starts perfectly. I spoke to a local parts dealer and he said it sounds like the Fuel Pump Relay. I would be very grateful if anyone could confirm or suggest otherwise. LB.

Hi guys and gals, had my Clio 3 years now. Had the revs and stopping thing, and all the rest LOL. Only one way to fix it was a new wiring loom. Had it fixed 18 months ago, not a sign off trouble since. It's all to do with that bloody black box. Make sure when you get it done to leave the black box off.

I have an 02 Renault Clio - I brought it in March and I love it. Previously to this car I had a KA and had no end of problems.

However now I think I'm beginning to have a few problems, I have noticed it stalls occasionally, which doesn't bother me too much - it might be driving! But a couple of times recently it hasn't moved when I've tried to pull it away or it's been very juddery and jumpy - is this anything to do with the clutch do you think and is there anything I can do to fix it?

It's only just come back out of the garage after the boot catch was faulty!

DYNAMIQUE 1.4 16v

I've heard about the notorious ignition coil problems before, only had my car 5 months and today had that orange coil light come on. Lost all power, and when I pulled over the car cut out on its own. These posts are amazing, the first thing I'm going to do is attack that black box and re-insulate all the wires. The journey begins...

JF.