Starting problems!!!!

[Sammie87]

I am having terrible trouble starting my Megane 03.

I had this problem a couple of months ago and found out it was the battery, so I changed this. Now it is doing it again after only 3months of having the new battery. Sometimes it starts no problems, but other times it just tries to start but doesn't seem to be firing (similar noise to when the battery was going). It can take me a while to start the car, but when it does it is fine. It is just really hit and miss to whether it will start or not.

It has got to the point where I have to swicth my radio off, and not use any battery what so ever to try and get it started.

Can someone please help or give me some advise? I made big mistakes in the past of taking my car back to Arnold Clark to which they generally charge me £170 just to put the car on the machine to find out whats up. I don't want to go back only for them to give me a large bill and the problem not even being sorted.

Thanks

[Sammie87]

Further to my post last night, I am still having problems if not worse!!

A light has now come up on the dash which looks like the engine light, it is just up from the air bag light!

Cal someone please help?

[IainMW]

What engine do you have, petrol or Diesel?

[markren2004]

new glowplugs required ? (if a diesel)

[Sammie87]

It is petrol and 1.4 dynamic, 03 plate with 45,000 on the clock.

I hope you can help as I am close to driving it into a wal!! lol

[IainMW]

Does the engine turn over or does it not even do that?

Cleaning the throttle body might cure the problem but it might not?

[AlexB]

It is a 1.4 petrol, which means no dephaser either.

Sammie87, if by "similar noise to when the battery was going" you mean the starter not turning the engine over fast enough or not turning it at all, then the problem is the battery discharging / not holding the charge / not charging properly. What make/type is your battery and why is it not Varta/Bosch? Check if any significant current is drained when the car is switched off -- optional equipment, the alarm and the ECU not switching off due to network faults are the main suspects. Are your journeys at least 20 minutes long? Consider buying a charger otherwise. Check the charge current when the engine is running (PSU+alternator can be at fault) -- the test is in the manual, and the manual is in Links. Any small garage can diagnose it. Please let us know if you want to do it DIY.