2008 Renault Clio 3 Dynamique 1.6 - Auto Headlights

Normally when starting in the dark all dashboard, centre console and headlights turn on automatically; however, occasionally all lights come on except the speedo and tacho lights. Turning off and restarting does not clear the problem, you need to turn off then open the drivers door to turn the lights off; on restart all lights come on okay. By occasionally I mean around once a month, so it's not apparent very often. The local Renault agents say it's something they have never heard of before. Has anyone experienced this or a similar problem.

Derek, July 2008

I have also had the same problem with my Clio 2006 dci. I too was told by the dealer that they had never heard of the problem before, but on the subsequent service the panel was replaced (last year). However, this has not fixed the problem and the panel still fails intermittently (although infrequently - about 8 times in the last 4 months). I am now being told that Renault haven't heard of the problem recurring on vehicles where the panel has been replaced, a bit deja vu from my original experience when I was told they had nevere heard of the problem! Am now in a sticky situation where the dealer won't contact Renault UK to find out what happens if this fault continues when the car goes out of warranty even though the fault has not been rectified. Very poor customer service and I would NEVER consider buying a renault again.

Emma, March 2009

The saga continues.......
The new instrument panel was fitted and has not failed since installation. But following it's visit to the workshop there was an annoying rattle, so it was back to the workshop where they adjusted the steering column covers.
The next problem was the front passenger window opening by itself while the car was parked, when the weather is fine this is not a problem; however if it rains the inside of the door and the passenger seat get wet. Arranged with the dealers to have this problem checked, as I was driving into the city to drop the car off at the dealer it came up with a warning light and message saying to "Check emission". The dealer had the car for the day, they were unable to find any problems in the wiring or switches for the front window. They said the warning message related to a cam phaser (their words) but that they did not know what the problem was and had logged a fault with renault. So we now wait for renault's response and if they can resolve the issue. All this in a car that's only 8 months old and has covered only 8,000kms.

Derek., October 2008

Hi, I had same problem. Eventually a new dash was fotted under the warranty. However classic poor Renault customer service fitted the petrol dash in my deisel. ( DEISEL HAS A 12K SERVICE INTERVAL the petrol an 18k). It is going in again for proper dash. I will never buy a renault again.

david, September 2008

Update for you Nick, the agents have had the car in the workshop again and say they have found a short circuit in the instrument panel. They have ordered a replacement out of France and it will be here in a couple of weeks. It will be interesting to see how it performs once the replacement has been replaced.
Cheers - Derek.

Derek, July 2008

Sorry, no solution, but I'm experiencing exactly the same with my car, Clio 3 2006. I have reported it to the agent, with the same comment, they could also not see anything in the car's event logs. In fear of them causing more damage to the vehicle, I instructed them to rather leave it and I will live with it.

I have however experience something very frightning in this vehicle on the 13th of July 2008. I was returning from holiday and stop to re-fuel. Pulling away from the petrol station, it was quite uphill and I tried to accellerate quickly to join the on coming highway traffic. When I went from 3rd to 4th, the engine RPM suddenly shot up to maximum rpm (+/- 6500 rpm.)

I tried to pull the accelerator pedal up by hand, but that was already in the up (Idle) position. Then the road start to flatten out and the vehicle kept on accelerating, I tried to cut the engine with the Start/Stop Button, with no success. Everytime I push the clutch pedal, the engine just went back to Max RPM and I was afraid of damaging the engine.

By this time I was already doing about 160Km/h. I then inserted the card into the emergency slot and at the 3rd attempt with the start/stop button, I could get the engine to cut.

I pulled off and re-started the engine, which just went straight back to maximum RPM, I could however get it to cut immediately this time.

On opening the drivers door, the electrical power normally cuts completely, I then attempted another start and everything was normal. I completed my journey, +/- 250Km with no problems.

I'm now very concerned about this, if this would have happened in peak hour traffic, I would have definitely crashed the vehicle and I'm now driving with a constant fear that it can happen again. I have reported the incident to my dealer, they have requested me to monitor the vehicle for the next couple of days.

Nick, July 2008