non starter

[lockstock169]

Morning gents
got a problem with me megane 1.9td,,, few weeks ago went for a meal with er in doors, came out got in car ,,put keycard in ,brake on ,all lights ok ,,,,push button and nothing ,, tried this several times still nowt eventually got a bump start ,,,, next morn had to bump her again ,,, running ,theres no prob good as gold got fuel and forgot ,,,turned off ,,, filled up got back in ,,, pushed button up she fired been great till i went to airport to get mate 160m round trip ,,, next day NOTHING all lights up p/s works just wont start on button
ANY IDEAS PLEASE THANKS
Ken

[AlexB]

For how long do you keep the Start button pressed when this happens?

[lockstock169]

hi thanks for reply ,,,, have tried various lengths ,,,, even tried "wiggling" button but still no joy

[davelowe]

By bump start, do you mean switching on the ignition (holding in the start button for a few seconds with feet off the pedals) and manually pushing the car to start it? Or else, do you mean using jump leads?

Either way, the problem sounds like an electrical issue. Check the battery terminals are tight, and the voltage first thing in the morning, and while the engine is running. Expect 12.45V minimum cold, and 13.8 - 14.2V running.

This is odd because it seems random. Can you identify any common factors (heavy rain; different fuel station; time of day; temperature, etc?)

[lockstock169]

my definition of bump start ,,,, basically a tow start, ign on 2nd gear foot on brake enough to activate lights (and cut off) release clutch and instantly she fires ,,,, there's no specific time or travel distance ,,,1st time we went to ROCKINGHAM SPEEDWAY when it happened and then gatwick airport from southend on sea
ken

[AlexB]

OK... As the ignition switches on (dials come to life) after short press on the button, then it means that the starter attempted to operate, but for some reason could not. Check the circuits of the starter.

I asked because if the ignition switches on only after a long press, then the starter is irrelevant...

By the way, there is no need in keeping your foot on the brake when bump starting. Just switch on the ignition by keeping the button pressed for several seconds while not touching the pedals, then proceed as with any old generation car. All this is in the manual, which nobody reads...

hi thanks for reply ,,,, have tried various lengths ,,,, even tried "wiggling" button but still no joy

[edward2]

I was wondering what the procdure for bump starting in a megane would be. Luckally have not had any issues so have not need to but good to know.

[777HAM]

Hello all

I am having a similar issue to that of lockstock above. Went to start the car on Sunday and all lights,central locking and the fuel pump worked but nothing from the starter, no warning lights only the oil level ok message. Managed to bump start the car this morning and took it to garage but since then it has started fine! Going to leave the car at the garage overnight and see if it happens again in the morning.

[davelowe]

Well, I hope you both let us know the outcome. It would be interesting. Especially as neither car seems keen on even attempting to start. Traditionally this would likely be a problem with the solenoid wiring, but these days, who knows!

[777HAM]

Hello everyone.

Just an update on my issues.The garage had the car on Monday and Tuesday but the car behaved itself,they checked the starter,alternater etc and all seemed fine. Went to go to work this morning and its happened again! Same as before but this time a STEERING LOCK and SERVICE warnings came on the dash? As before I bump started it and has been fine all day.
I am thinking of changing the battery and was going to try one of these Bosch S5 ones but I am unsure which to get as they are different specs as in Ah cold test and A currents, can anyone please advise?
lockstock,any news on yours as you were having similar problems?

[AlexB]

Go to
https://www.boschbatteries.com/

Search for your car. Megane II 1.9dci uses 096 size, Bosch S5 are better than the others. Varta is similar, but I use Bosch.

Check the battery terminals and the ground wire to the engine. Check also the starter and the wires to it. They may be shorting occasionally, sending a glitch to all electronics in the car.

[lockstock169]

oohhhh yeah,,, as said i had auto leccy round would have been better off with a roofer the amount of use he was ,,,,, but unfortunately no go here
has been suggested about a gallon of squirt and a match ,,,,,, not sure wot he means ,,,lol

[lockstock169]

well ,, just for the fun of it ,,,, went to car this morning ,foot on brake , pushed button ,,,,,,, bloody hell car started, mind boggaling

[777HAM]

Hello everyone

Just an update on my car. Drove to work today and was going to go out at lunch but car would not start and for the second time the steering not locked message came up. I work for a motorsport team so luckily have an electronics dept. Some of them had a look and we managed to start the car by pressing the start button and then moving the steering from side to side.I had fitted a new battery on Friday so don't now think this is the problem I will now look into this electronic steering lock and what is involved and how it works.
Also, I did a google search on the steering lock issue and found someone on another Renault forum found that he checked and replaced the fuses on the + terminal on the battery so this maybe worth looking at?777HAM

Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2012 1:20 pm
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[777HAM]

After a trip to Renault a couple of weeks ago for a diagnostic check on my non starter issue the car has refused to start at all now. Renault could find no issues with the car and after many attempts it behaved itself all day! Over the last 24 hours the car will not start or even attempt to turn over at all. It will still bump start but now the problem is not intermittent but all the time.
I have had to leave the car at work for the weekend as Renault can not look at the car until at least Tuesday next week. In the meantime I have had to book a hire car for few days and will have to organise recovery for the car to the dealer over the weekend.
My feeling was that the electronic steering lock was at fault and have been quoted £446 to do the job but need to be sure that this is the problem.