engine light flashing on clio 172??

[mightymanx]

hi i just bought a renaul clio 172 2002 80 tho miles test drove it yesterday and it was fine bought it today and on the way home while i put my foot down the engine light started flashing for a short time then stopped and the car was down on powe but it would still rev to about 4500 but not much more it has a k&n filter and a sports exhaust but still has the cat in .
when i got home i put my code reader into it but no codes came up any 1 any ideas ? thanx

[Ricardo]

The ONLY way is to get a fault code reader or Renault CLIP otherwise you'd potentially spend money on parts that won't cure the problem.

At a guess it could be a lambda sensor, is the light on in the middle part of the clocks or on the bottom right?

[mightymanx]

hiya yer i did put my code reader on it when i got home but no codes were recorded it was the light in the bottom righ hand corner

[Ricardo]

Both lambda sensors would throw up a code if faulty, they can be tested by heating up the tip and measuring the voltage.

It can even be something like stale petrol (poor octane rating)
MAP sensor

[Tony Walker]

Get it scanned, or if you really want to fiddle, check the plugs.

[mightymanx]

like i said i did scan it and nothing came up it had been sitting for a while and was very low on fuel well on reserve so i put some nice new fuel it am gona give everything a bit of a service tomra maybe wip the plugs out clean them.
put a new fuel filter in ive noticed the air filter is not tight at all so ill tighten that up and ill clean what ever sensors i see then ill see what happens

[Ricardo]

I had a missfire which threw up the EML too which turned out to be the post cat sensor, to be honest it could be a number of things. Definitely try filling up with 98-99RON to start, F4R should only use PFR6E-10 spark plugs, they're sensitive to change. New genuine leads are £45, there could be a break in 1. Rare it's a coilpack, MAP sensor, COolant Temp Sensor, blocked cat, failed injector. So much to go wrong :D

[newbstar*]

Ignition misfire, possibly the low fuel or cause its been stood!

[Ricardo]

Also check the exhaust joins on the catalytic converter, if it's leaking the sensor can see too much air

[mightymanx]

i was going to take the plugs out b4 until i relised you have to take half the car apart :laugh: so ill leave it till i try a few other things lol i did clean the a few sensors weres the map sensor and cooland temp sensor so i can clean them?also were is the lamada sensor and cat sensor?

[Ricardo]

i was going to take the plugs out b4 until i relised you have to take half the car apart :laugh: so ill leave it till i try a few other things lol i did clean the a few sensors weres the map sensor and cooland temp sensor so i can clean them?also were is the lamada sensor and cat sensor?


Yep, you have to take off the top inlet manifold to get to them, if you're confident it's about 10 minutes work. MAP sensor is black and plugged into the end of the inlet on the drivers side, i don't think you can clean them. Temp sensor is under the original airbox screwed in IIRC the water pump... pic below. Both oxygen sensors will be bolted in either end of the cat or at least 1 in the downpipe and the other in the cat.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7107/6864654814_164d4bf643_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/64860664@N04/6864654814/)
Photo_CE4A7147-D9DB-BC4E-0885-64A5D1D7B405 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/64860664@N04/6864654814/) by Ricard o1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/64860664@N04/), on Flickr

[Matt@CodeRedMotorsports]

Just out of interest does the car have a fly by wire throttle body? (no cable).

[Ricardo]

Just out of interest does the car have a fly by wire throttle body? (no cable).


2002 model will be FBW?

[Matt@CodeRedMotorsports]

I'm trying to remember....getting old:(
Phase 2 with multiplex would be FBW.

[Ricardo]

Phase 1 with cable went up to Y plate late 2001, like ol blu :)

[Matt@CodeRedMotorsports]

That's it, (and like nu blu too ;))just wondering if the throttle pot at the pedal end is playing up.
Ideally a frendly Renault tech and a code read would be best....Manx if you get ALL the codes cleared from the car, then drive it until it happens again it would be easier to diagnose the root cause, as some faults induce other codes.

The main problem with most renault connectors are they are coated in silver, the best conductor....only problem is, silver will tarnish and make a high resistance or open circuit. thats why we replace tdc sensors with the (blue connector) gold coated connections, not such a good conductor, but will not tarnish like the silver coated ones.

[Pete@Backyard Racing]

Have u scanned the ecu in Eobd and manufacturer specific?
What scan tool are you using?
I wouldn't be in a rush to clear any fault codes as that won't fix your fault. Codes are there to point u in the direction of the fault.
If your ecu hasn't loged a diagnostic trouble code you should check the live data on your scan tool far any irregularities in the graphing.

[mightymanx]

i did put my code reader on it but no codes came up but i did press clear ill put some new fuel in it and try it my other question is if theres a sensor in the cat how do i de cat it?

[Ricardo]

i did put my code reader on it but no codes came up but i did press clear ill put some new fuel in it and try it my other question is if theres a sensor in the cat how do i de cat it?

I have a decat pipe but still have the 2 sensors in place, they just screw into the cat. You'll need to use a 22mm open ended spanner to undo them to take them out

[Pete@Backyard Racing]

What scan tool are you using?
There's no sensors inside the cat. There's 1 lambda sensor screwed in before and 1 screwed in after the cat.
Ps don't worry to much about the lambda sensors there the most misdiagnosed sensor on a car.

[mightymanx]

am just useing a basic ebay diagnostic scanner ive used it on cars in the past and its worked great
this is the exhaust i wana fit so how do i got about it?
http://manxads.com/?Title=clio-172-sport-Catback&ListingId=28417

[mightymanx]

any help on fitting tha exhaust as i want to buy it asap?

[Pete@Backyard Racing]

That's a cat back system so is a direct fit for your old one. I don't think you will have to remove the lambda seniors because there fitted into the cat.
Ps I doubt fitting a new exhaust will fix your problem. If u take your car to a reputable garage they will diagnose the problem for around £40. Then u can fix the fault. Alot Cheeper than trial and error fitting new parts.

[mightymanx]

hiya yer i know the exhaust wont fix the problem but it needs replaceing any ways i have a mate with a snap on ethos so i can get him to put it on the car

[Pete@Backyard Racing]

Your m8 should be able to find your fault with the ethos as long as he knows how to use it properly. Let us no how u get on.

[mightymanx]

yer hes a mechanic so he uses it all the time am gona try some fresh fuel in it and if it does it again ill get him to put the diagnostic on it

[mightymanx]

put some fresh fuel in it took it out and the lights still flashing grrrrrr gona get my mate to out the diagnostic on it this week

[Coops]

I get the down on power issue sometimes on my phase 1, its invariably supermarket fuel that does it. put some shell optimax in and its fine.

however I haven't ever had the light come on on the dash.

[mightymanx]

yer i put some super unleaded in it but hasernt made a diffrence who nos what the last owner ran it on am hopeing to get the diagnostic on it this week the engine light comes on after about 4 tho revs so hopefully the diagnostic will pick up the problem

[Ricardo]

The ECU needs to read the change in octane rating, it takes a few cycles. Sounds like injector

[mightymanx]

well am getting it tested tonite so ill ind out and let you no

[mightymanx]

hiya just came back from haveing the clio on the diagnostic machine and he tested it and all came bak clear so he took a look at it for me and said he reckons the throttle bodys sticking and needs cleaning also the plugs it was getting a bit better when i drove it before so i think by doing them jobs it will be fine

[Ricardo]

Keep us posted on how it goes :)

[mightymanx]

will do thanx for every 1s help