new owner 2004 1.6vvt questions

[ft101]

Hello

I'm new to the forum, and kind of wished (!) that i'd found this before purchasing my 2004 1.6VVT Megane... but, ah well! 'tis done now and forearmed is forewarned, or something like that

I'll jump in with my questions.. hopefully this is ok.

Steering Lock - no warning lights or anything, but when the ignition/engine is switched off, the steering doesn't 'lock' (security lock). It tries to, and clicks a bit and even locks but a small amount of effort and it can be moved. Is this normal? Doesn't sound like, thought i'd check.

Steering - drives well in a straight line, but on a progressive bend the steering does fight a bit to straighten up - also occasionally pulls quite hard depending on the camber in the road. Doesn't feel broken as such, but can be quite alarming. Is this a Megane II characteristic? Didn't notice it on other meganes i test drove. No uneven wear.

Starting - occasionally immediately cuts out after startup - starts fine on second attempt. Noisy as a bag of spanners for 2-3 seconds then fine. Do I need to be worried?

Steering height adjustment - handles snapped off. Is this an easy fix? Should I take back to dealer to fix?

Oh, and the STOP light is dimly lit (only noticeable at night). Should I be concerned? Its not fully lit, but is not light leaking from other bulbs either.

Other than that, 32k and some history.. 32mpg around town, 38mpg on a run. Seems basicaly OK.

Thanks!!! Sorry about all the questions.
cheers
Mike

[terry_mccann]

hiya.....welcome aboard.

I can only say sth to those wheel locking stuff, we had similar errors in our german forum. guy who experienced it has removed the casing behind the steering wheel and got access to that locking mechanism, where he made it working again by cleaning and greasing some mechanical part.

Mind you, I do not know if this is difficult or easy to do.

Maybe, with the readjusting of the stearing wheel in progressive turns it might be a similar issue of something being stuck ....is your stearing itself on the heavy side? Maybe it is also to do with the electric power steering, but I'd guess this, as well as the engine stalls, are a case for your service man....

No warranty, I reckon ???

[Busy_Man]

Starting issue will be TDC/dephaser pulley - I know as mine is in at the moment and having TDC done under warranty, although I do think the pulley is fubar'd as well but will see when I pick her up.

Search the site for TDC/dephaser and you will get more answers than feels comfortable. It's a common fault on this engine unfortunately.

MPG sounds about right, I'm getting 33+ round town and 39 on a mixed run with the same age and engine.

If it is warranty covered, get it back in for a full work up - you should have 3 months minimum if brought through a trader.

[ft101]

When you say TDC, do you mean the cam sensor? From the service records I know this has been replaced recently (about £30 for the part iirc).

I have six months warranty.

How would I approach the dealer to confirm that the cam phaser pulley is stuffed? Just roll up and ask them?


Thanks
Mike

[markren2004]

TDC and cam sensors are different sensors.
TDC monitors the crank turning and cam monitors the cams turning.
A cam sensor failure is not usually that noticable apart from the dash light on, the default maps built into the engine mgmt these days are good at guessing in the absence of a real signal, but can result in poor idle or stalling.

A TDC sensor failure is more noticable, can result in difficult starting, stalling, kangarooing etc.

The common Dephaser pulley issue rears itself with poor starting and a horrible growling noise on first startup and stallling.

[ft101]

OK thanks for the clarification.

I would say then that the TDC sensor is fine, as I don't get any symptoms of kangarooing etc, just occasional non-starter.

I had a rover before, and everyone said the head gasket would go. Seems other makes are not without their problems either!

Any comments on the STOP light and snapped-off steering heigh adjuster? Starting to wish I had not bought this car now.

[silencer51]

The TDC sensor in the 1,6 K4M engine has slightly different symptoms than on non-VVT equipped engines.

On most Renaults a knackered TDC sensor means trouble starting the engine or occasional cutting out whilst idling (very rarely it is possible for the engine to cut out in gear whilst driving).

However, on the 1,6 K4M VVT engine the TDC sensor is a crucial part of the VVT system. If the sensor is completely knackered, the ECU logs 2 faults - TDC sensor malfunction AND Variable valve timing system malfunction.

The symptoms are rough idling, engine feeling 'dead' below 2000 rpms, uneven performance through the rev range and juddering when changing gears (very annoying).

As for the steering wheel lock - this part is ridiculously pricey and also you can't buy a used one since each lock is programmed to work with your car only, after you first plug it in it 'locks' itsself to your vehicle. Bummer. I had the exact same symptom as you, meaning the steering wheel would lock but the lock would not hold.

The steering adjustment handle is a separate part (and a cheap one i think), it is easily replacable without removing the column if I remember correctly.

About the handling: if you think the car feels 'wrong' on the road, I suggest you take it to an independent suspension specialist and check suspension geometry and shock absorber performance - I suspect something is off.

[ft101]

Silencer51 thanks very much for the info.

I suspect then, that the TDC sensor is fine (as car runs very well) but that the dephaser is showing signs of playing up (grinding on startup, usually takes two goes to start it). After that its fine.

Curiously, as posted elsewhere today, I thrashed the engine yesterday (while hot) and today the car started first time without a grinding noise, and I swear it feels more alive. Curious, and somewhat annoying in that the garage are currently deciding what to do.

The handling feels fine (as in grip, cornering), but the feedback through the steering wheel is strange compared to other cars, I suspect this may be the electic variable power steering and i should probably be best driving another 1.6 to see if its the same.

Regarding the steering column, i'm not that bothered about it, but it may be a extra bargaining chip. What did yours cost to fix, if you bothered?

Thanks

[gillyd88]

with regards to the steering lock i find mine does exactly the same, most of the time its clicks as if its locking but it dosent, i find if you open the door it locks. random i know but it works on mine.

with regards to it cutting out, again had the same problem but with a nasty noise when starting. my problem was fixed with replacing one of the injection coils (think thats what they are called, there is 4 of them under the engine cover and have wires going to them) and that was before the car starts violently shaking when driving and at idle as the mechanic said the car cutting out on starting was a early warning sign of them going.

hope this helps!

[AlexB]

Hello Mike (ft101),

Please see my comments below in red colour. I don't own this model, but I've seen plenty of similar posts.

Hello

I'm new to the forum, and kind of wished (!) that i'd found this before purchasing my 2004 1.6VVT Megane... but, ah well! 'tis done now and forearmed is forewarned, or something like that

I'll jump in with my questions.. hopefully this is ok.

Steering Lock - no warning lights or anything, but when the ignition/engine is switched off, the steering doesn't 'lock' (security lock). It tries to, and clicks a bit and even locks but a small amount of effort and it can be moved. Is this normal? Doesn't sound like, thought i'd check.
It is not normal and someone discussed the same issue here a year or two ago. The solution was to replace the lock.

Steering - drives well in a straight line, but on a progressive bend the steering does fight a bit to straighten up - also occasionally pulls quite hard depending on the camber in the road. Doesn't feel broken as such, but can be quite alarming. Is this a Megane II characteristic? Didn't notice it on other meganes i test drove. No uneven wear.
Steering may feel unusual, but the steering wheel returns to the straight position if I let it slip in my hands in a bend. The car feels rock-solid on the road and is not affected by side winds or road camber. Read the repair manual in Links about adjustments. The adjustments, unfortunately, require the use of Clip computer.

Starting - occasionally immediately cuts out after startup - starts fine on second attempt. Noisy as a bag of spanners for 2-3 seconds then fine. Do I need to be worried?
Cutting off on startup and a "bag of spanners" symptom -- the dephaser is dead, 100%. It is replaced together with both belts and should have the part number ending with 505 (they changed it 3 times recently due to a design fault).

Steering height adjustment - handles snapped off. Is this an easy fix? Should I take back to dealer to fix?
The car was badly treated or, most likely, repaired for an unknown reason.

Oh, and the STOP light is dimly lit (only noticeable at night). Should I be concerned? Its not fully lit, but is not light leaking from other bulbs either.
It is not supposed to be, but together with the lock and the broken adjustment lever it points at previous repairs. It is not a big problem on its own.

Other than that, 32k and some history.. 32mpg around town, 38mpg on a run. Seems basically OK.
It is good.

Thanks!!! Sorry about all the questions.
cheers
Mike

[ft101]

Hello and thanks for all the comments

The dealer very kindly replaced the steering lock and dephaser (which i have in my shed and will dismantle when i get time

Regarding the steering, i'm still not 100% happy with the handling of this car. Its jittery over bumps (only noticed this recently as im away on business with it and the country lanes are bump/uneven) and the power steering does occasional 'fight' against me on bends or on camber and get even get a little tiring. I had a 2008 civic last week and that was an absolute dream to drive. Shame they are so expensive.

I'll get it up on ramps at the weekend to see if its been in an accident. Whats the position if this car turns out to have been badly repaired, I bought from a dealer 4 weeks ago but its HPI clear, RAC clear etc. Car was bought by dealer from a well known local business who have supplied them lots of cars, so im sure its genuine.

What typically might be wrong with the steering in terms of adjustment, broken springs etc? Oh while i think of it, there is strange tyre noise on some surfaces thats very intrusive - sounds like a flat but all the tyre pressures are good.

Many thanks in advance,

[hope]

Oh while i think of it, there is strange tyre noise on some surfaces thats very intrusive - sounds like a flat but all the tyre pressures are good.

Wheel bearings?

[andywills]

I'll get it up on ramps at the weekend to see if its been in an accident. Whats the position if this car turns out to have been badly repaired, I bought from a dealer 4 weeks ago but its HPI clear, RAC clear etc. Car was bought by dealer from a well known local business who have supplied them lots of cars, so im sure its genuine.

give consumer direct a phone call. you'll be suprised over what rights you have on a car (even if it's second hand)

[ft101]

Wheel bearings?? *sigh*

I guess it could be, why not? Probably easier to find out what doesn't go wrong with this car, then start from there.

Could wheel bearings really be shot at 32k miles?

EDIT; Took it for a drive earlier.. slightly damp road. Did a very harsh break in an attempt to lock all four wheels and see what happens (straight line or not etc). There was a loud thumping from the drivers side front wheel and on inspection the driver side seems lower than the right, especially at the front!?!? About 2cm

[ft101]

I'll get it up on ramps at the weekend to see if its been in an accident. Whats the position if this car turns out to have been badly repaired, I bought from a dealer 4 weeks ago but its HPI clear, RAC clear etc. Car was bought by dealer from a well known local business who have supplied them lots of cars, so im sure its genuine.

give consumer direct a phone call. you'll be suprised over what rights you have on a car (even if it's second hand)

I've had the dealer fix two problems already, so i think that implies 'acceptance' from the consumer rights point of view?