Clio questions

[Gad-Westy]

Hi all,

A few niggles have developed on our Clio. Its an '03 plate 1.6. I'm hoping somebody can help.

The first one is that the horn has stopped working. Fuse is fine. I've read somewhere about this being weak wiring around the steering wheel shroud but should I be concerned about the airbag if I go burying around there? Job for a pro maybe.

Second thing is that the ABS light has come on and is now staying on permanently. The problem first manifested itself with the ABS pumping at all braking pressures briefly and then the light was on and now I assume the ABS isn't working. A sensor maybe?

Thirdly the alternator belt has just started squealing slightly on cold-start up. I was running out of time when I looked at this but I couldn't see an obvious way of tightening it. Any help much appreciated. I've got a Haynes manual on order but would have liked to make a start this weekend.

[PH161]

As i just asked something about my clio, i thought i should contribute too! I know how frustrating it is waiting for a book!

Alternator first, i dont think there is any adjustment apart from loosening it and forcing it over to tighten it up, thats on my 1.4 16v anyway.

Here's a scan of "the book" im sure Mr Haynes won't mind as you've already ordered one!

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f393/f8rdy/clioh...
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f393/f8rdy/clioh...

I'll have a look for the other bits now. Just realised the answer to my tyre question is probably in there too!


Hope this helps.

[PH161]

Book doesnt say much about the horn. Just how to remove and refit the actual horn part. Might be worth looking at that to see that the contacts are clean.

I dont think i would be venturing around the steering wheel. Even if it didnt go off in your face when you were doing it, you might accidentally stop it going off in your face when you need it!

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f393/f8rdy/clioh...



Here's the ABS bits.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f393/f8rdy/clioh...
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f393/f8rdy/clioh...
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f393/f8rdy/clioh...

Carling please!

Edited by PH161 on Saturday 3rd January 12:25

[Gad-Westy]

You're an absolute star PH161.

Will get stuck into those this week.

Since my last post, the bloody thing has now got the engine management light glowing. A quick trawl of the web seems to be pointing the finger at the O2 sensor but that's a £90 part so I want to be 100% sure before ordering. Can a fault diagnosis computer be bought for these for reasonable money? Looks like we're going to be needing one!

[Johnnytheboy]

Don't mend the horn, Clio horns sound dreadful!

[Gad-Westy]

Johnnytheboy said:

Don't mend the horn, Clio horns sound dreadful!

Unfortunately those dastardly MOT testers will be looking for one when its next one is due so it does need fixing.

[Johnnytheboy]

Can you throw your voice? Impersonate a horn? Job done.

[PH161]

Ive got a recurring Cat fault with my clio and engine management light.... not an actual cat stuck under the car....

Ive got a cable to plug into the laptop which resets the light nicely. Ive done it 3 times since i bought the lead, saved me £30!

Where abouts are you?

The one i got was one of the ELM327 compatible ones like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ELM327-USB-CAN-Code-Reader-E...

It worked on my Frontera too which was handy. Also shows realtime info like a couple of temp sensors and revs etc.

Edited by PH161 on Saturday 3rd January 23:22

[DaveL485]

Gad-Westy said:

Hi all,

A few niggles have developed on our Clio. Its an '03 plate 1.6. I'm hoping somebody can help.

The first one is that the horn has stopped working. Fuse is fine. I've read somewhere about this being weak wiring around the steering wheel shroud but should I be concerned about the airbag if I go burying around there? Job for a pro maybe.

Beat the connectors on the back of the horn, and, if its got one on the relay too.

Gad-Westy said:

Second thing is that the ABS light has come on and is now staying on permanently. The problem first manifested itself with the ABS pumping at all braking pressures briefly and then the light was on and now I assume the ABS isn't working. A sensor maybe?

Check the targets on the driveshafts/hubs. Toothed rings- damage or cracks to these simulate wheel locking incidents and makes the ABS operate when it shouldn't. Too much of this and it disarms as it knows something is wrong.

Gad-Westy said:

Thirdly the alternator belt has just started squealing slightly on cold-start up. I was running out of time when I looked at this but I couldn't see an obvious way of tightening it. Any help much appreciated. I've got a Haynes manual on order but would have liked to make a start this weekend.

Alternator behind engine or in front?

Edited by DaveL485 on Sunday 4th January 12:50

[Gad-Westy]

DaveL485 said:

Gad-Westy said:

Hi all,

A few niggles have developed on our Clio. Its an '03 plate 1.6. I'm hoping somebody can help.

The first one is that the horn has stopped working. Fuse is fine. I've read somewhere about this being weak wiring around the steering wheel shroud but should I be concerned about the airbag if I go burying around there? Job for a pro maybe.

Beat the connectors on the back of the horn, and, if its got one on the relay too.

Gad-Westy said:

Second thing is that the ABS light has come on and is now staying on permanently. The problem first manifested itself with the ABS pumping at all braking pressures briefly and then the light was on and now I assume the ABS isn't working. A sensor maybe?

Check the targets on the driveshafts/hubs. Toothed rings- damage or cracks to these simulate wheel locking incidents and makes the ABS operate when it shouldn't. Too much of this and it disarms as it knows something is wrong.

Gad-Westy said:

Thirdly the alternator belt has just started squealing slightly on cold-start up. I was running out of time when I looked at this but I couldn't see an obvious way of tightening it. Any help much appreciated. I've got a Haynes manual on order but would have liked to make a start this weekend.

Alternator behind engine or in front?

Edited by DaveL485 on Sunday 4th January 12:50

Cheers Dave,

I'll be having a poke under the car this week so will check out the ABS 'wheel' things. Alternator is at the front of the car. Very little room around it from the top.

[Gad-Westy]

Anybody able to help out with Engine warning light thing? Its the amber light in the bottom right of the panel. Is this usually an O2 sensor problem? I'm told that part costs the best bit of £100 so I want to be certain before shelling out.

[Gad-Westy]

PH161 said:

Ive got a recurring Cat fault with my clio and engine management light.... not an actual cat stuck under the car....

Ive got a cable to plug into the laptop which resets the light nicely. Ive done it 3 times since i bought the lead, saved me £30!

Where abouts are you?

The one i got was one of the ELM327 compatible ones like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ELM327-USB-CAN-Code-Reader-E...

It worked on my Frontera too which was handy. Also shows realtime info like a couple of temp sensors and revs etc.

Edited by PH161 on Saturday 3rd January 23:22

Cheers for that. Sounds like the lead is worth looking into. Can this reset the 'serv' light as well which is the latest one to light up. Its starting to look like a christmas tree on the dashboard! I'm in Newcastle by the way.

[DaveL485]

If the display shows "SERV" then I don't think its a service light, check the handbook you may find that this is an engine malfunction indicator and will need to go to a dealer or garage with diagnostic equipment.
If the spanner is flashing on the dashboard then scroll through display using button on end of wiper stalk until you get to the remaining mileage and press and hold button until display flashes to new service mileage. Keep button held until the spanner stops flashing and let go of button, ign off and then back on again to check its reset.

ETA-
You might want to try disconnecting the car battery completely, then connect it again after a short while. That should reset the light. If the problem still persists, its time for diagnostics.

Edited by DaveL485 on Tuesday 6th January 16:40

[Gad-Westy]

DaveL485 said:

If the display shows "SERV" then I don't think its a service light, check the handbook you may find that this is an engine malfunction indicator and will need to go to a dealer or garage with diagnostic equipment.
If the spanner is flashing on the dashboard then scroll through display using button on end of wiper stalk until you get to the remaining mileage and press and hold button until display flashes to new service mileage. Keep button held until the spanner stops flashing and let go of button, ign off and then back on again to check its reset.

ETA-
You might want to try disconnecting the car battery completely, then connect it again after a short while. That should reset the light. If the problem still persists, its time for diagnostics.

Edited by DaveL485 on Tuesday 6th January 16:40

Thanks Dave. The Serv light is on but we also have the other, more conventional looking check engine light illuminated. No spanner illuminated as yet but we're gaining a light per day so it can;t be long! The battery disconnection idea sounds interesting. Any implications for the alarm system or am I safe to disconnect and reconnect at will?

Other plan at the moment is to borrow or buy an OBD-2 reader and have a look at what its telling me and try and reset some lights that way but I think I'm right in saying that won't pick up the ABS fault?

[DaveL485]

Not sure on the ABS thing. The systems I usually work on are one of 2 problems- Sensor down or target damaged/corroded. Never use a diagnostic lol.
As for the alarm, as long as you have the zappy key that is working its not a problem unless you have an aftermarket one, but then you should have the instructions to know the score if you do.

Does your trip computer have the 'countdown to service due' function? What does it say if you do?

[Gad-Westy]

DaveL485 said:

Not sure on the ABS thing. The systems I usually work on are one of 2 problems- Sensor down or target damaged/corroded. Never use a diagnostic lol.
As for the alarm, as long as you have the zappy key that is working its not a problem unless you have an aftermarket one, but then you should have the instructions to know the score if you do.

Does your trip computer have the 'countdown to service due' function? What does it say if you do?

No coundown on the trip computer. The button on the end of the wiper stalk doesn't seem to do anything at all from what I can gather.

[DaveL485]

Oh right, I assumed it had the multi-function trip computer. I Take it it hasnt then.

Tried disconnecting the battery yet?

[Gad-Westy]

DaveL485 said:

Oh right, I assumed it had the multi-function trip computer. I Take it it hasnt then.

Tried disconnecting the battery yet?

I'm not sure if it should have one or not. I think it is the Privelege model and seems to have a fair bit of kit, air con, sunroof, auto lights, auto wipers etc... but no sign of the trip computer but does have a button on the end of the wiper stalk.

I haven't disconnected the battery yet. Oddly enough the engine warning light has now gone off however the 'serv' light is still lit so I will give it a try at the weekend.

[DaveL485]

The digi gauge on the dash should change display as you push the button on the wiper stalk...

[Mark Smith]

I've got a Ph1 172. The horn works on the steering wheel and on the end of the stalk on the left that operates the lights. Having said that, only one of the twin horns works.