Renault Megane Scenic 1.6 - 52 Reg - Wont turn over

[luckstar69]

Hi there,

I have a Megane Scenic 1, its a 2002 model.

I have previously had issues with non starting, the battery is fine, it runs fine (when it starts) and everything works.

3 weeks ago it didn't start at all and wouldn't turn over, i turned the key and the dash lights came on as usual but no stater motor activating. This was replaced by the request of the breakdown person that came out.

Yesterday my wife and 2 kids were out in the car, it worked fine, she put 1/4 tank of petrol in and went to her mums, all ok.

When she went to leave her mums 2 hours later, it would not start. All lights worked and came on etc but no turn over at all.

It has since been recovered to our house, and I have tried both spare key and the original, neither will start the car, the lights on both key fobs work and blink red when pressed. The doors lock/unlock etc

Does anyone have any suggestions of what else I could try?

Thank you very much for any suggestions.

[Jimmyarm]

You need to test that the starter motor is getting a signal when you turn the key.

There should be battery voltage present (use a multimeter or test light).

ETA; You test the smaller of the two wires going onto the starter just in case, the larger wire should be permanent battery voltage (ignition off or on)

If there is no signal to the starter then you have to trace back the wiring, I can't recall if it is a simple circuit on those (the wire is literally direct to the ignition switch) or it goes through control units/fuse boxes/relays etc on the way.

Edited by Jimmyarm on Sunday 2nd November 12:53

[imagineifyeswill]

As per the answer above, Renaunlt have allways been prone to corrossion on the spade connector off the starter motor ignition feed, ussually just pulling it off and pushing it back on a couple of times is enough to clean it up and get the starter working. Failing that Ive never had the problem with a Scenic but certainly Clios were common for having corroded earth straps from gearbox casing to chassis, they would look ok but if you grabbed and pulled they would come away in your hand.

[luckstar69]

Thank you both.

What the best way to find this spade connector? I've looked and can't find it anywhere.

[buzzer]

The ignition switches on these are prone to failure... have a look at the link below, cheap enough, and as you can see he has sold 76 of these and that is just one seller. If you buy a new ignition barrel, it comes with 2 keys, but they are not chipped type. However, if you break the plastic off the hew keys, (pair of side cutters works well) they are the same shape as the ones in your remote fob. Remove the small screw, pull out the old key blade, insert the new one, jobs a good un!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121024368285?_trksid=p20...

[luckstar69]

Thanks. How will I know if the current barrel is broken? What can I look for?

buzzer said:

The ignition switches on these are prone to failure... have a look at the link below, cheap enough, and as you can see he has sold 76 of these and that is just one seller. If you buy a new ignition barrel, it comes with 2 keys, but they are not chipped type. However, if you break the plastic off the hew keys, (pair of side cutters works well) they are the same shape as the ones in your remote fob. Remove the small screw, pull out the old key blade, insert the new one, jobs a good un!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121024368285?_trksid=p20...

[buzzer]

luckstar69 said:

Thanks. How will I know if the current barrel is broken? What can I look for?

buzzer said:

The ignition switches on these are prone to failure... have a look at the link below, cheap enough, and as you can see he has sold 76 of these and that is just one seller. If you buy a new ignition barrel, it comes with 2 keys, but they are not chipped type. However, if you break the plastic off the hew keys, (pair of side cutters works well) they are the same shape as the ones in your remote fob. Remove the small screw, pull out the old key blade, insert the new one, jobs a good un!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121024368285?_trksid=p20...

I have seen the springs break, so the key wont return to the start position, and also the symptom you have described... ofccasionally wont start, they go faulty internally, you cant see they are broke,

As others have suggested, try electrical connections first, but bear in mind the switch fault. A new switch from Renault is a fortune....

[luckstar69]

Thanks very much for the reply.

[imagineifyeswill]

If your starter is on the back of the engine you wont be able to see the connection from above just have to stick your hand down there and feel for it, if your not used to working on cars get a hold of an old starter and familiarise yourself with what your feeling for first.