My renault clio 1.2. grande (2001) won't start since it was repaired after another car drove into the back of it at a junction.

The boot wouldn't stay shut as the back panel had been pushed out of shape.

They repaired the panel and the boot will now lock along with the doors when I press the locking button inside the car (the key has never locked the doors and boot all together from outside the car).

However, since being repaired the car has failed to start after being still for any length of time over about 4 hours. I have had to jump start the car to drive anywhere. The trip counter and clock have reset to zero each time this has happened.

Green Flag advised me that they didn't think it was the starter motor. The headlights, hazard lights, interior lights, radio etc all work fine without the engine on which makes me think it isn't the battery??

The car won't start at all...it won't even try to turn over when I turn the key in the ignition...until it is jump started, or when it is rolled at a decent speed and jumped into gear by releasing the clutch quickly when in gear.

Does anyone have any ideas on what could be the problem??? Should I go back to the garage that did the boot and locking repairs and ask them to sort the problem as it was all fine before the work was done?

I've read some posts that lead me to think it may be a problem with the immobiliser caused by the central locking being interfered with. Does this sound likely?

Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks,

Anne-Marie

Anne-Marie, April 2011

Hi, my Clio (w reg) is having the exact same problem! It died yesterday so i had to leave it and walk home (windows etc still worked but wouldn't start at all) I went back about 4 hrs later and it started first time, got back home (only about 1 mile)! Turned it off and immediately tried again and it wouldn't start but again the windows etc still worked! Did you find out what caused it in the end as I too don't want to be fobbed off as I'm not exactly rich!! :D

Helen Louise, May 2011

Have just had the car picked up by the garage who did the repairs and they seem to think a couple of cells are dead in the battery...does this sound about right. It does seem to add up but I don't want to be taken for a ride (if you pardon the pun)

Sorry, I've got pretty limited knowledge of cars so please excuse my dodgy guessing at the problem.

Anne-Marie, April 2011