Toxic Fumes Warning Light

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bucklemyshoe
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:06 pm
Currently Drives:: Renault Megane II

Re: Toxic Fumes Warning Light

Postby bucklemyshoe » Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:27 pm

HI - I am new so bear with me...I got my Renault Megane 1.6 petrol in December 07 second hand. It's under warranty for a few weeks only. I've had the toxic fume light on since May. Three visists to the garage. They said it was 1)camshaft sensor 2) not properly cleared from the computer 3) camshaft. They wouldn't give me any other information than that. I have phoned Renault 3-4 times - they are basically unhelpful, other than one guy who told me that Renault Meganes have a recall on them for the Dephaser pulley which might be related to this problem.

Anyhow, today I found out that the dephaser pulley has already been replaced by the previous owner. Is it worth me calling out the AA to get the coils checked? Would they not look at this as a matter of course in the garage?

andywills
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Currently Drives:: 04 Megane 1.6e 16V VVT

Re: Toxic Fumes Warning Light

Postby andywills » Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:00 pm

if they are saying it is an error not cleared, why havnt they cleared it? if they have cleared it, why has the light come back on? and if they think it's these other problems, why havnt they repaired it under warranty?
Renault Megané Dynamique 1.6e 16v VVT 2004

bucklemyshoe
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:06 pm
Currently Drives:: Renault Megane II

Re: Toxic Fumes Warning Light

Postby bucklemyshoe » Wed Aug 27, 2008 11:43 am

Ok the firs ttime they told me it was a problem with the camsfat sensor. The light came on again on my way home. Then they told me that it just hadn't been cleared off the computer. I went to have it cleared. The light came on again next day. On the third visit they said it was a problem with the camshaft. I'm now booked in for my fourth visit.

I've also written a stinking letter to Renault as it is still under warranty (just). They are just so unhelpful, it is insane!I loved this car when I bought it but I don't think I'd ever want anything to do with Renault again. They just don't care about their customers.

albert
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Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:12 am

Re: Toxic Fumes Warning Light - Ongoing Saga-Intermittent Fault

Postby albert » Sat Sep 06, 2008 8:33 pm

I have posted on this thread before regarding the toxic fume filter light coming on - it intermittently flashes for around 30 seconds then goes out again. Since my last post, Renault had another look, thought it might be the injectors and had done some swapping around and checking of other parts - since then I've had no problems for around six weeks. However, its all started again now and I just can't get it sorted.

Two weeks ago, it happened once, only to happen again around two miles later. On my return journey it had happened two more times before I decided to call out the AA. They ran a diagnostic on the computer, which came up with error codes P0300 and P0300+ Random/Multiple Engine Cylinder Misfire. The AA patrol reset the computer and we took it for a road test. Of course, the car was all fine, and he refused to carry out any further work on the car. Typically, when I then went to continue my journey it did this a further eight times before I just parked up and left it until the following day when I took it back to Renault. Strangely, it was fine on the way there.

Renault said that they had re-programed the injection system computer as there was a technical note covering this, and that hopefully it was sorted. Of course, today I've been out, and guess what - it's happened again!!! Today, it has only come on once at about 30mph for around 30 seconds before it went off again. There is still no noticeable change in the handling of the car, and I just don't know what it could be.

Can anyone help me out - is this still likely to be a coil problem, or should I be looking at something else?

Much appreciated.

albert
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Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:12 am

Re: Toxic Fumes Warning Light

Postby albert » Sat Sep 13, 2008 3:19 pm

Any advice anyone?

It has since been to Renault again - and guess what, they can't find any faults. Today it has done it again. Is this likely to be coils?

Thanks.

^Andy^
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Re: Toxic Fumes Warning Light

Postby ^Andy^ » Sat Sep 13, 2008 5:36 pm

albert wrote:Any advice anyone?

It has since been to Renault again - and guess what, they can't find any faults. Today it has done it again. Is this likely to be coils?

Thanks.


If a coil had failed I think you would definitely know it, the car would basically be running on 3 cylinders and be as lumpy as hell. It's possible that it could be 'failing' coil (perhaps insulation cracked causing a short when hot or some other such voodoo or black magic that seems to infest meganes) but I can't say that I have ever experienced an intermittent fault like that. My experience of coil failure (and I think I've been through at least 6 of them by now along with a TDC sensor, camshaft sensor and a dephaser assembly) has been that the coil in question tends to just fail altogether.

This will cheer you up though - my 54 reg Meganes exhaust just fell off, corroded through at both the rear box and center silencer and required a complete new system + cat - £426, can you guess how happy I am today? :sad

albert
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Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:12 am

Re: Toxic Fumes Warning Light

Postby albert » Sat Sep 13, 2008 9:51 pm

Thanks for the reply Andy, sorry to hear about your exhaust!!!! :eek

I'm not really sure what to do next? Taking the car to Renault is getting me no where, certainly not any closer to getting the problem fixed. As the error code suggest the engine is misfiring, I am assuming it is only momentarily for a few seconds hence why I notice no change in performance. What other parts could affect this other than coils? Renault had previously suggested that it may be the injectors, but now seem happy that they are fine!!!

I'm just trying to make a decision on where to go next really - can't decide whether it is worth trying a different dealership?

Many thanks for your help.
:sad

^Andy^
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Re: Toxic Fumes Warning Light

Postby ^Andy^ » Sun Sep 14, 2008 9:57 am

That error code P0300+ indicates (I think) random misfires accross multiple cylinders. There could be numerous causes for it as far as I can tell (google helped me on this one so I could be completely wrong) - possibly lean fuel caused by a vacuum leak in the manifold or unmetered air getting in past the airflow sensor, or a sticky EGR valve. I suppose you also can't rule out bad fuel, do you always fill up at the same garage?

albert
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Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:12 am

Re: Toxic Fumes Warning Light

Postby albert » Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:20 pm

I mostly fill up at the same garage, but so does my partner and she also drives a megane and has no problems. Thats why I had ruled out fuel. If it is a problem such as the intake manifold, or a vacuum leak should Renault be checking these things when they have the car in. As far as I am aware Andy, the description you gave for the code is correct - it is multiple/random misfires. I'm currently considering whether to book it in at a different Renault dealer mid-week so its looked at under warranty, or whether to take it to an independent garage (presumably where it'll cost me lots of £££ but I just want this resolved!). My other concern is whether any work carried out at an independent garage will result in any issues with warranty should anything else go wrong in the future.

Thanks again Andy - much appreciate your help. :cool:

^Andy^
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Re: Toxic Fumes Warning Light

Postby ^Andy^ » Sun Sep 14, 2008 8:24 pm

I think if I were in your position I would take it to another renault dealer or ring renault uk and explain the situation to them. I can understand your frustration only too well and like you I would want the problem solved as soon as possible.

bucklemyshoe
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:06 pm
Currently Drives:: Renault Megane II

Re: Toxic Fumes Warning Light

Postby bucklemyshoe » Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:24 am

^Andy^ wrote:I think if I were in your position I would take it to another renault dealer or ring renault uk and explain the situation to them. I can understand your frustration only too well and like you I would want the problem solved as soon as possible.



I have to say, I've had the same problem and I've rung Renault UK on several occasions. They are pretty much useless! The fume warning light is currently off on my car. I've had 3/4 visits to different dealerships and it looks like they replaced the camshaft sensor. At least that is what I can glean from my less than informative invoices.

^Andy^
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Re: Toxic Fumes Warning Light

Postby ^Andy^ » Sat Sep 27, 2008 7:33 am

Yeah a new Cam Sensor was the cure on my 1.6 when the toxic warning light came on and stayed on permanently.

Ashsoft
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Re: Toxic Fumes Warning Light

Postby Ashsoft » Mon Oct 13, 2008 8:28 pm

I have just had to replace my camshaft sensor. The toxic fume light cam on about a week ago now. When it did the car shutdown and sort of did a reboot with the toxic fume and service lights permanently on. I checked the code with my OBD reader and it reported P0340 - Camshaft / circuit error. I reset the code but after a few days it came back on so I thought I would get myself a new sensor and change it at the weekend. But before I did that very day on my way home form work, the car stalled at every junction I came too, the engine just not holding revs unless I held my foot on the throttle. It took some driving but I managed to get it to my Renault dealer who confirmed the camshaft sensor had failed. The replaced it for me at a cost of £35 for the sensor £45 fitting. Not bad for 30mins work.

I have now had coils, de-phaser pully, electric window motor and now camshaft sensor. I think I will get a TDC sensor in just in case.

2004 Megane Sport Saloon 1.6VVT

j1nny7
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Oct 28, 2008 2:25 pm
Currently Drives:: Megane 1.6

Re: Toxic Fumes Warning Light

Postby j1nny7 » Tue Oct 28, 2008 2:43 pm

Hi All,

My first post here, after searching google this seems like the best place to get infor on this "Toxic Fumes Warning Light". The manual is absolutely horrific.

I was driving the wife's 54 Megane 1.6 Megane yseterday and the light flashed for about 10 seconds and the engine cut out. It wouldnt start for about 2 minutes whilst people beeped at me for blocking the traffic... Did they think it was intentional?!? :hm

I did manage to start it on the 5th attempt but I did rev the engine a fair bit as I started it. Seemed to work fine after that. No light, no engine cut out... at least for the rest of the 10 minute journey after. Havent tried since.

I'm just shocked at the costs for maintenance/services of Renaults in comparison to my own car. A service from the local Renault dealer is 3 times more than we pay for my car (Not a Renault)... :banghead

I have the Megane booked in for a service this week with a local Garage and was wondering if I should wait to see if changing the spark plugs, etc. is enough to resolve the issue. The Mechanic at the garage did say that I should just try that first and then drive it on the motorway in a lower gear at high revs for 15 minutes in order to sort it... not too convinced though?!?! Any thoughts?

Best Regards

chris.bird
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 12:57 pm
Currently Drives:: Meagne 1.6vvt Dynamic

Re: Toxic Fumes Warning Light

Postby chris.bird » Mon Nov 10, 2008 2:46 pm

I am joining a long line of very annoyed Megane owners!!
I have a 52 reg 1.6 vvt which at last count i have sepnt nearly 2k on reparis in the 3 years i have owned it, the problems started with stalling on starting, once it was running it was fine but normally took 3 attempts to get it going, that was the TDC sensor and loom, had both electric windows fail and have to had full replacements £300 a pop!
Next i had problems starting again, no stalling this time but a loud grinding noise for a couple of times then would run fine, this seemed quite intermittent and was only really bad on wet/cold days took it to an Independent Renault specialist who diagnosed the miss fire on coil 3 but was intermittent and on looking at the coils there were no obvious marks of failure (apparently the coils will have carbon markings on them like scratches when on the way out) he suggested i replace all 4 coils with BERU ones as they were far superior than the Renault aftermarket ones, this seemed to solve the issue for for a few weeks and then the noise returned only even more intermittent, i took it back and he assured me that althoug it was still doing this noise it was not coding a fault and therefore although annoying would not cause any damage to the engine. 6 moths later and i have the Check Injector fault and the Toxic Fumes fault come up, i took it to my local mechanic and he said as far as he was concerned the fault could only be the ECU as the coils and plugs were fine but before he did the work suggested i take to renault for them to diagnose on their machine which i did and they told me it was a misfire on cylinder 2 and 3 and that coils 2 and 3 have failed and because non genuine renault parts used in the last repair (BERU) could not be done under Renault parts warranty, have taken back to my local guy who has just done the work at a fraction of Renaults cost and Surprise Surprise the car is still faulting with missfire and coil failure!!! we are now going to try a new ECU....... will let you know how i fair!!! At £200 for a ready programmed ECU im hoping this will finally solve all the problems with the piece of crap that renault call a car!! Spent so much on it now the only real choice is to keep it and run it into the ground.(thats if i can get it working again) WOULD NEVER EVER EVER BUY A RENAULT AGAIN, THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS pish POOR!!!


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