10 replies to this topic

[MaxAndPaddy]

I was driving home last night and a car pulled out in front of me and I had to slam on the breaks. As I came to a stop in the middle of the road the car cut out and then refused to restart.

 

No warning lights on, but nothing just dead. Green Flag came out and tried to bump start it, still nothing

 

Last time I had a problem with the car cutting out, it was a dodgy connection in the under bonnet fuse box, but I can't see anything this time?

 

Anyone got any thoughts, its stuck on a garage forecourt 60 miles away at the moment and I really need to get it back home

[The Matt]

Does the ignition light come on when you turn the key to position 1?  Or is that dead too?

 

Realistically, it probably is a loose wire somewhere, or a loose connection on the starter.

[The Matt]

Some of them also have those awful screw caps on the battery terminal, all it takes is for that to move a little and you can lose your contact.  I'd have hoped Greenflag could have diagnosed something that simple.

[MaxAndPaddy]

Does the ignition light come on when you turn the key to position 1?  Or is that dead too?

 

Realistically, it probably is a loose wire somewhere, or a loose connection on the starter.

 

I'm not sure if the ignition coil light was coming on now that I think about it, will check when I get back to Leeds. Feels to me like something has come loose when I have braked suddenly but couldn't see anything obvious last night in the dark.

[The Matt]

What age/model Clio is it?

[The Matt]

The base models have (I think) 4 maxi-fuses.  Check them first.  Can't see that a fuse-blowing coincidence is likely, but if there's a loose or exposed wire that rattled around as you braked, maybe a fuse blew?

[MaxAndPaddy]

Its an 04 diesel, had problems with the fusebox before

[The Matt]

Yeah, Meganes have similar problems too.  There's a main live connection at the back of the fusebox on them, also worth checking the 3 relays at the back of the fusebox for corroded terminals.  The fuseboxes on them are absolute cack.  They give no end of trouble!

[Dan the Van]

Try re setting the inertia switch.Not sure where it's located on a Clio,but the owners manual will tell you.

[The Matt]

Inertia switch is usually just fuel cut off isn't it? Wouldn't stop the car from turning over.

[MaxAndPaddy]

Yeah, Meganes have similar problems too.  There's a main live connection at the back of the fusebox on them, also worth checking the 3 relays at the back of the fusebox for corroded terminals.  The fuseboxes on them are absolute cack.  They give no end of trouble!

 

Fault traced to dodgy live at back of fusebox, cheers all.