Car doesn't start

[jobloggs]

Hi,

Hoping someone will be able to help me.

I have a Megane Expression 1.6 2005 Auto. Twice yesterday and again this morning I put the card in, held down brake and pushed start button, car fired up then immediately cut out. It took a couple of times doing this till the car stayed running. I also felt as though it was struggling to go at first till the car had warmed up (though this could have been my imagination ) then there were no problems with it. Each time this has happened has been from cold. On one occasion the brake was stuck high so I couldn't press it down but when I pressed the start button it released it.

I rang Renault Service and they were talking about warming up of throttles??

Before I get it to a garage next week which will no doubt be costly, I thought I'd ask your opinions and see if this has happened to anyone else?

Thanks,

Jo.

[davelowe]

Is it a VVT model?

[jobloggs]

It's an Expression VVT Hatchback.

Just tried to start it again and it won't even turn over and the battery light is on the dash so I'm presuming the batteries flat. Would this be the main reason for what happened yesterday with it cutting out?

[davelowe]

Maybe, but the battery may have become flat due to repeated attempts at starting it. Try some jump leads and see if it fires up from those. Obviously, you can get a new battery, but the 'warming up of throttles' is news to me. Cleaning the intake might help, but I'm a diesel owner, so don't know much about the petrol engines.

From an electrical point of view, get hold of a multimeter and measure the battery voltage.

[IainMW]

The position of the brake pedal should not have any effect on the starting of the car. It sounds to me like you pumped the pressure in the brake system up by constantly depressing the pedal? This will happen on any car.

Unfortunately the 1.6VVT suffers from a plethora of problems that can cause starting problems, but I would definately as dave states ensure the battery is in good condition.

I would also get following checked out.

Coil packs
TDC sensor
Cleaning of the throttle body
Fuel injection computer (re-programmed)

and finally

The dreaded Dephaser Pulley!

If you search the forum for the above you should find lots of info.

[PeteyPower]

I had terrible starting problems.
Would star and run for 10 seconds and then just die.

Had to rev the nuts of it for a little while to get it to stay running. (would misfire and splutter etc)

Changed Camshaft sensor - no joy
Changed TDC sensor - no joy
Fume sensor light came on too.

Was about to go for the dephaser pulley but freind of a freind who works for a renault importers at the docks offered to have a look.

Guess what - it was the spark plugs! £40 later and it feels like a new car. Starts and runs fine - in fact, a marked improvement to how it's ever been. Pulls away properly now. Never used to do that - always thought I was bad with the clucth! - lol