My car wont start after being on a long run or after being sat idling for approx 15 minutes. Its as if the immobiliser has kicked in HOWEVER if you leave the car for about 15 minutes then it starts first time

It has only happened 5 times since we owned the car from new 2 years ago.

Its been into the garage under warranty and they cant find the problem

can you help??

maddison, August 2005

I have been having problems with hard starting on my Renault Scenic RX 4 that is about 5 years old. The engine is turning strongly, just not firing. The Renault dealer suggested replacing the tdc sensor ($450 Australian) then another garage dealing with European cars suggested that I just try using the spare key as he believes that sometimes the immobiliser coding in the regular key can get scrambled over time resulting in inconsistency in starting, ie either either first time or ten minutes later. I tried the spare and so far touch wood starting first time every time so saved $450.

Amateur, January 2011

i have a 2000 1.6 16v i have had intermitent starting problems, the car will start first time normally after being stood, once i have stopped and got back in th car would just keep turning over but fail to fire, i have taken to many garages, i have replaced plugs, coil packs still no reliability, i tried to start the car recently and it failed to start, i waited 2 hours for the recovery truck and it still failed to start which was unusual as normally after 20 mins it would, got he car home and it still wouldnt start, so i removed the tdc sensor cleaned the end with a wire brush as it was dirty, cleaned up with wd40, put it all back and tried the car again, and it started first time, i then tried on numerous occassions throughout the day with out fail

didie, June 2009

So does mine, same model, same year, I'll have a go at the much mentioned TDC sensor (if I can find it, as yet, nobody has has actually shown an engine compartment photo with a big neon arrow pointing at the possible culprit) computerised engine management!
B******s ! bring back the old Stromberg/Solex and contact breaker points that we all understood, instead of having to pay out upwards of £800 for new computer that probably has a 20p component actually causing the problem !!

Bruin Bear 88, February 2009

We have a similar problem but with the 2.0 ide laguna. diagnostics say the fuel regulator but we have had 3 put on and still a problem. it is now back in garage trying to be re diagnosed. has cost us about £800 so far and still no fixed. Did you find a solution to your cutting out would love to know?

Sal, August 2008

I would suggest changing the TDC sensor, it sits on top of the gearbox housing and sends a signal to the ecu, they are very tempramental and cause intermittent problems like you have.
also common for having single/double coil failures .these will show up if a diagnostic computer is attached to your car.

paul b,del boy, August 2005