First snag in 7 years

[sinkers]

I drive an 04 Megane 1.4 Dynamique Saloon.

Recently I have noticed it has had a bit of difficulty starting. Yesterday as soon as i put the key in the slot and pressed go, the electric cooling fan came on but the engine didn't turn. This was the first start of the day on a cold engine. I tried again then it said I have an electronic fault.
This I assume was caused by all the snow and the fact that the access panel for the lights along with the two tringular panels that fit into the front right and left corners of the underside of the front bumper are missing due to incompetent mechanics following a crash in 2008. I believe water can get in around the relays beside the battery and the ecu.

I opened the bonnet and disconnected the battery completly from the terminals and left it disconnected for about a minute. On reconnecting it the car was still dead however when I put the card in the slot and pressed start the same thing happened, ie dash lights, radio etc came on and electric fan kicked in but no start and electronic fault light came on along with the red STOP light and the amber SERVICE light. I took the key out of the slot and removed the battery thinking that might be the problem. I locked the car with the central locking before removing the battery. I then closed the bonnet. When I returned with the new battery I tried to open the car with the key that's slotted into the side of the keycard but while it turned and made some noise the doors wouldn't open. Seems like the car is deadlocked.

Does anyone know how to get into a Megane with all doors locked, safety key not working and the bonnet locked shut also?

All suggestions welcome.

First post and hopefully the last. Can't be dealing with all these electrics! Think I'll have to go back to the Mini.

Cheers,

Sinkers.

[joeishmather]

Can you get in thru the boot? I had similar problem on an alfa I had a while back n that's how I got in!lol

[sinkers]

Can you get in thru the boot? I had similar problem on an alfa I had a while back n that's how I got in!lol

Nope, no access through there either. It's an electronic switch on that one, you know the one where the wires break and need to be reconnected. The only way into the boot is from inside the car, there is a little white plastic piece in the boot latch which you slide across and hey presto it's open. My problem is I can't get into the car in order to get to the catch.

[rjacko]

Have you tried the manual key in the passenger door? Just asking as thats the only side which mine opens on.

[sinkers]

Yes but that didn't work so I had to remove the grill, grab the cable and release the bonnet. On refitting the battery the doors opened with the central locking. I think water got into the relays beside the battery so going to attack them tomorrow with a hair dryer and some ACF50 to keep the moisture out in future.

My heart is broken with this.

[rjacko]

At least you got into it and hopefully drying the relays will sort it. Good luck with it.

[STEVIE]

I had a flat battery once and could not gain access what i did IS
you need a power pack or another battery
Take out side indicator look in the wing you will see a bolt thats your earth - point
then put possitive + into one of the wires for the bulb
this powers the car up then you can unlock with card access gained

steve

[sinkers]

Wasn't the multiplex unit. Eventually got the car towed to an auto-electrician who put test equipment on everything. It tells him that both multiplex units are working normally and that the problem has been traced to the ECU on the back of the battery.

He's going to test every single wire going into the ECU as he has opened it up and noticed a small bit of arcing but nothing serious so he fixed that problem with solder. He couldn't see any sign of anything blown inside the ECU or any scorch marks in there. We're fairly convinced that there is a wire broken somewhere in the loom and it's only a matter of finding out which one.

My Dad has given me my old Polo which he now drives for the week. Loved that car. She's a 99 reg and never gave a bit of trouble. Think I may just have to go back to the Germans again for my next car. I'll never buy Japanese and my confidence in the French electrics is all gone now.

[sinkers]

PROBLEM SOLVED

The auto-electrician found the problem. It was the wire taking data from the ecu to the multiplex unit which affects the immobiliser. This wire had been rubbing off something and had eventually broken through the insulation, The copper wire corroded inside. He fixed the wire and the problem was gone.

All in including a new battery and the VAT it came to €268.43 which I thought was a fair price seen as he had to put diagnostics on and locate the broken wire in that birds nest beneath the bonnet.

I think I'm stuck with the car for a while yet though as I would lose a fortune selling it and I rarely use it anyway as I drive a motorbike most of the time except in snow and ice.