Not starting and rad fan constantly running

[MacsMegane]

2007 1.5dci 82

Went to my Megane this evening after work and it wouldn't start, the fan started as soon as the ignition was turned on and stayed on after turning ignition of, locking car etc until disconnecting the battery. It didn't even try cranking.

Then I got low battery message, then select neutral message.

Recovered home by the AA he thought it was a broken wire but couldn't find it, a quick search has indicated either a relay fault or temp sensor? The battery was fine when tested and the starter was fine when directly connected to the battery so must be something electrical?

Over the last week of so its taken a couple attempts to get it to start cranking but then started straight away, during this I've seen a steering lock message.

Any help appreciated

[MacsMegane]

Speaking to my mechanic he has seen a few of these and thinks its due to water getting into the fuse box. It's going in for investigation next week but any imput would be useful.

[freelanderuk]

check passenger side front wheel arch for the inspection cover, if this is missing its defiantly water causing the problems

[MacsMegane]

check passenger side front wheel arch for the inspection cover, if this is missing its defiantly water causing the problems

Is this the cover for the headlight bulb access? If so it's still there.

[freelanderuk]

yes, the one on the passenger side

[MacsMegane]

After having the car looked over the main wire from battery to started was damaged, repaired and no difference.

Fuse box and all wiring is fine with no damaged wires.

It looks like next items to check are the card reader and the ecu, card reader purchased now needs fitting.

Anyone had any similar problems or advise?

If it is the ecu can a second hand one be used? Do these require the key and other parts relevant to the ECU, or do they need programming to the car?

[freelanderuk]

thanks for the update, even though you are still having problems

[petepete]

you can by pass the card reader by removing one fuse in the fuse box and the car will start from the button without the card if you want to test that without fitting the reader...



Stumbled across this while working out how to open my roof from a DIY remote switch and cab heater. ( I was shocked to find this )

Cant remember which fuse but its on the left side at the side of the door.

[MacsMegane]

Thanks Pete that's interesting.

On another thought when it was starting after a few attempts I did see 'steering not locked' message. Should this mean anything relevant to the non starting?

[MacsMegane]

Update.

The replacement key card made no difference. Any advise?

My local garage is at a loss and doesn't want to spend a fortune on an ECU if it makes no difference. I have a local independent Renault / citreon specialist locally so am awaiting to hear back from them before I give up on the car.

[freelanderuk]

Have you checked the temp sensor in the radiator, this controls the fan , and is it posible that the fan was running all the time and discharged your battery so it wouldn't crank as mentioned in your first post

[MacsMegane]

Temp sensor checked and battery was the first thing to check and was fine. It was new in November. When the AA touched the battery and starter with his multimeter (I think) the starter cranked but wouldn't fire. All points to an electrical problem.

The car has now moved to the Renault specialist and I'll see what they find. Two weeks without it so far. Good job I've got another car. 90's Vauxhall Astra which just keeps going. The Megane has had more problems in the last 7 months than this has had in 7 years!

[MacsMegane]

Fixed!
Broken wire where the loom goes through the bulkhead! It was the first time the garage had found a problem with wiring there.
Every wire has been checked over so at least I know the electrical side of things should give no more trouble.

[freelanderuk]

Well done to the garage, and thanks for updating you solution

[tim87c]

Hello. You are the closest problem to mine. I have had this ongoing issue for nearly a year now. As far as im aware i have personally checked every wire in the loom. Do you know exactly which wire is damaged and where? i spent nearly a month stripping it down an searching everywhere so any help is apprieciated.

Glad you got yours sorted.

Love the car but will be the death of me.