172 strange starting problem
Discussion
I'm racking my brains on this one so thought I would open this up to PH.
I bought a Clio 172 a few months ago and have barely used the car since buying it. I have a company car for everyday stuff and work a lot of hours so the car has been laying dormant on my drive for the majority of the time. I decided to sell it last week due to the birth of my son and not being able to warrant keeping what has become an ornament now and found a buyer at the weekend.
The battery was always weak and I thought I would put a new one on for the buyer as a gesture of good will (there's nothing worse than buying a car and it failing straight away!)
My plan was to jump start the car, drive it to my work and fit a battery. However the car wouldn't jump so I went out, brought the battery back and fitted. The car still wouldn't start! It turns on the starter motor for about 5 seconds and just stops. It doesn't allow you to keep trying as if something is cutting it out (immobiliser?). The immobiliser light stays on solid red which indicates some sort of fault, so I tried following a guide on google to reset it (turn key to position 2, disconnect battery for 30 seconds, reconnect, turn key off and start). The same thing!
The buyer has been over a couple of times and is a very understanding guy trying all sorts to try and get the car going but we have hit a brick wall. Last resort is to try a booster pack tomorrow as we both suspect the battery is still not quite getting enough oomph to start the car, but is there anything else I can try? Most frustrating problem ever!
I bought a Clio 172 a few months ago and have barely used the car since buying it. I have a company car for everyday stuff and work a lot of hours so the car has been laying dormant on my drive for the majority of the time. I decided to sell it last week due to the birth of my son and not being able to warrant keeping what has become an ornament now and found a buyer at the weekend.
The battery was always weak and I thought I would put a new one on for the buyer as a gesture of good will (there's nothing worse than buying a car and it failing straight away!)
My plan was to jump start the car, drive it to my work and fit a battery. However the car wouldn't jump so I went out, brought the battery back and fitted. The car still wouldn't start! It turns on the starter motor for about 5 seconds and just stops. It doesn't allow you to keep trying as if something is cutting it out (immobiliser?). The immobiliser light stays on solid red which indicates some sort of fault, so I tried following a guide on google to reset it (turn key to position 2, disconnect battery for 30 seconds, reconnect, turn key off and start). The same thing!
The buyer has been over a couple of times and is a very understanding guy trying all sorts to try and get the car going but we have hit a brick wall. Last resort is to try a booster pack tomorrow as we both suspect the battery is still not quite getting enough oomph to start the car, but is there anything else I can try? Most frustrating problem ever!
GreigM said:
It sounds like you know where the problem lies - the immobiliser.
Apart from that have you checked you've got spark? Have you checked the fuel pump (check fuse, check its being powered etc)?
Do you have an RAC/AA membership - bet one of their guys could diagnose this in minutes....
Everything points to that yes. I am in the AA, good shout I could call them out for home start tomorrow..Apart from that have you checked you've got spark? Have you checked the fuel pump (check fuse, check its being powered etc)?
Do you have an RAC/AA membership - bet one of their guys could diagnose this in minutes....
Gassing Station | French Bred | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff