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Laguna II 1.8 16v (2003) - Wont Start!! - Please help.

18K views 24 replies 7 participants last post by  spacecadet 
#1 ·
Hi All,

I have (as per the subject) a 53 plate Renault Laguna II 1.8 16v Dynamique (with aircon - not sure if that matters)

The problem i have is that when i insert my key-card and press the start button - the car will not fire. At first i thought it was just the battery being weak and on its way out as i knew it was on its last legs, so i replaced the battery and its still the same.

I have uploaded a video for you to see what happens when i attempt to start the car - if anyone has any idea's that would be great!

Video:

(Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YL3htMAx7E )

Many thanks in advance

Dave
 
#6 ·
Thanks spacecadet!

Luckily i have a spare donor car (exact same model) just a year newer - the engine is perfect in it - its just had rear end damage so i can take the relays from that to test ! and sensors - should i know which sensors i am looking for haha

Thanks again!
 
#10 ·
It would seem this fault isn't fixed after all :'(

The car drove perfect for about 2 and a 1/2 days - the MPG even improved dramatically!

However i parked up at the inlaws on Sunday afternoon and came out to go home .... FAIL! the same thing, pulling my hair out with the thing now.

Does anyone have any further idea's ?

Thanks again
 
#15 ·
the F4P engine may not have a camshaft sensor, if you cannot find one, dont worry about it.
do check the purple relays in the engine bay fusebox.
is there any damp in the interior ??? condensation on the fusebox or UCH computer can cause numerous electrical problems.
 
#16 ·
If your symptoms are still as per the video and it starts fine with jump leads, you have the same signs as a flat battery.
A check on the charging system would be worthwhile along with a good look at battery connections and earth points.
A low level drain could gradually flatten a new battery over a few days.

I wouldn't expect a faulty cam/crank sensor to stop it from cranking over.
 
#17 ·
Thanks for the reply - I think you are onto something here, the battery that 'seemed' to solve my issue was fully charged and lasted for 2.5 days, then it wouldn't start again!

I spent some serious time on the car last night, and did find a couple of other things - See below!

I took the inlet plenum off the car and found the 1st tube leading to the spark plug for cylinder 1 to have filled up with 'something' looked like oil but was watery in consistency - doesn't look like it had originated from under the plug more on top of the rocker cover and dribbled in! (Pics below)

I dried all of this up and cleaned all the contacts, cleaned the TB with carb cleaner etc - still no joy!

But after re-assembling everything I did notice a noise coming from the car that I haven't heard before see this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLWENchY5uY it looks/sounds like it's coming from the plastic housing on the side of the TB - my questions are:

1) What is this and is it easy enough to replace ( i have a donor car )
2) Could this (if it is broken) stop the car from starting/cause the symptoms I have

I have also replaced the TDC sensor last night to no avail.

I think next I will fully charge the battery again, and replace the alternator and check for bad earths on the battery...

Again, (repeated i know) thanks to everyone for their help! It's driving me mad
 

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#18 ·
dont worry about the slight buzzing of the throttle body, its usual (mine does it and it runs ok)

not sure why you have plug 4 is full of fluid, you might need the rocker cover removed and have the seals replaced/renewed. (this is a bit of a pita to do, just keep an eye on plug4 for more leaks into it.)

you will need to use something like carb cleaner to flush the pencil coil clean of oil then dry it off.


cylinder 1 is on the right (gearbox end), cyl 4 is the one next to the dephaser soliniod.


is the starter motor spinning the engine over when the start button is pressed ?
 
#19 ·
Thanks for the reply, i did clean out all the inlet / pencil coils etc with carb cleaner whilst i had it all apart and soaked up all the fluid, cleaned and so on.. the car recently had a full service and the fluid that is in cyclinder 4 can be seen coming as if it has ran down from the oil filler hole on top of the rocker cover. So i'm guessing its over spill thats gone in - when i get the car running again i will give it a few days and check again to make sure it hasnt returned.

As for the starter motor, i am not sure - tbh not a great deal happens, you hear a small (very faint) clunk then a series of clicks (like in the video on my first post) - i did fit a new fully charged battery to the car on weds last week and the car started up perfect and ran fine for 2.5 days then failed to start again :(

I have a spare donor car that i can take parts off, i removed the alternator last night to fit this weekend and will also check for a bad earth earth on the battery as already mentioned. Failing this i am at a loss and pulling my hair out a bit now haha i am having to borrow other peoples car and am causing a bit of a bother to them - so this weekend i HAVE to get it going :crazy:
 
#20 ·
aim to get the relays and contacts in the EB fusebox sorted (cleaned!), any issues with starter not working check them and all earth straps around the engine bay.
get spares from a breakers yard
 
#22 ·
Update:

I have removed and fully charged the battery again. Replaced the alternator + belt and still no fire. (It had previously fired up after replacing the battery) - The car will still start if pushed/bump started and runs fine until its stopped - then it wont fire up again.

All earth straps in the engine bay have been checked - looked fine, but cleaned anyway...

The only thing i haven't replaced yet (because i was told by someone that the fault doesn't show the symptoms fully of it being this) is replacing the starter motor.

I will be doing this tonight and trying again, failing that - i am totally out of idea's ! Which is ashame as the cars just had lots of work done and when bumped runs amazing! Its recently had new clutch, cambelt + water pump, 4x new tyres, new battery, full service etc - pulling my hair out with it now :(

And i believe the engine is F4P.

Thanks again

Dave
 
#23 ·
Well another update! I have replaced Relay #21 in the U2 panel and also changed the starter motor!

And the car has started! Woo! Not going to get my hopes up yet as it has started before and then died a couple of days later - i will give it until Friday and then post back incase anyones interested!

Thanks for everyones help!

Dave :d
 
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