2003 Renault Laguna Dynamique from UK and Ireland - Comments

Lagunas that cut out for no reason - I have had a problem where when slowing down to a junction or a roundabout, the car would just die, steering go heavy etc. I got used to this, as you sort of half expect it so are ready to press the button to restart the car, However back in February the engine cut to about 3000 revs, and if you pressed the accelerator any more, the WARNING, STOP, Engine management warning lights would come on and the engine would die completely.

If you then waited 30 minutes, it would restart but as soon as it got up to operating temperature would die again.

I had it sat on my drive for 5 months wondering what was up with it, thought it might be a temperature sensor, replaced some sensors, there are loads on the Laguna, but none of this sorted the problem.

I eventually gave in, and had to recovered to a friend of the family who is an auto electrician engine tuner, one week later and £538.00 poorer, the car is running fine.

The problem was fuel related, there is a submersible pump that sits in the fuel tank and a regulator valve, both of these were broken.

If a car runs for a while, and then dies, apparantly 9 times out of 10, its fuel related, especially if there are no nasty knocking sounds or other major mechanical noises before it cuts out.

Hope this helps, as I've read various comments on Forums that say if the engine dies, the engine is what needs replacing, which to be honest, in any car more than 2 years old, isn't going to be an economical option.

Renault Megane 1.8, year 1998 cold start problem.

When cold: Starts OK if the accelerator pedal is not touched. But when idling, if the accelerator is activated slightly or more, the engine coughs, cuts out, and stops.

Engine can easily be re-started, if the accelerator pedal is released, and the engine left to idle for approx one minute or more.

When the engine has been idling for a few minutes, and it has gained some temperature, the engine (car) can be operated normally.

If an attempt to operate the engine (car), is made before the engine has gained some temperature (few minutes of idle), the engine coughs, cuts out, and stops.

If an attempt to start, when cold, is made, with the accelerator-pedal, slightly or more activated, the engine coughs and appears as if it is just about to start, but it never does.

It just keeps on coughing, as long as starter-motor is engaged.

I know what to look for:

Temp. Sensors, throttle-position-potentiometer, air-mass / flow-sensor, and maybe even the lambda-sensor.

Probably only one of the above mentioned sensors (if defective), will create exactly this symptom.

Anyone who know which, or has ideas or suggestions, PLEASE tell.

Br. John Sorensen, Denmark.