I have a 2003 Clio 1.4 dynamique. It has a low mileage and is well looked after. However, alongside with the regular changing of the coils (a common fault I am told) she has now decided to only start when she wants. The car appears to want to start but won’t actually kick in.

I have been told this could be a number of things including, alternator, battery, start motor, TDC sensor. If I change all of these then that’s costly and wont guarantee to solve the problem.

I find that it starts better when it has been stood for a while, like overnight or a good hour (basically when it is cold), if I nip to the shops and come back two minutes later it often wont start.

I have already checked the contacts on the battery and they seem ok.

Any ideas, has anyone else had this problem. I need my car for work so having an unreliable one is not good.

Please help me.

P E ;o), August 2008

thin my clutch has gone how can tell

SHRON, March 2014

Thanks. I have had the AA out now and he has cleaned the TDC sensor (is that the same thing?) and so far it has been ok again but I fear it is only a matter of time before I have issues again. Clio's seem renound for these faults. Sorry you are having more problems.

P E ;o), August 2008

i had the exact same problem with my clio and it turned out to be the fly wheel sensor that needed replacing however thid has gone on to cause more problems

Nicola Travis, August 2008