i need help

[paul2006]

i have just bought a renault clio 1.2 grande 1999.
when i turn key all the propper lights come on(no warning lights), but the engine doesnt even try, if bump started or use jump leads the car starts first time, also when left running idle it will eventually cut out it also cuts out at some junctions. if i try to use the key the car clock resets to 00:00 but if bump started clock is fine. what could be wrong with it? thanks

[Guest]

Sounds like the car's computer? One possible cause is jump starting the car using leads that don't have surge protection. If you are unlucky it may need to be replaced.

Either way, its worth spending a few dollars having more than one expert check it out as the cumpters can set you back a bit and you don't to buy one only to find you have a wiring issue.

[Yamaharley_UK]

Check the battery terminals are tight. If they are okay, get a mechanic to check the battery and alternator. Sounds like the battery is not able to provide a big current (like for the starter) and is greadually dying when the engine's running. Most likely it isn't getting charged. My guess is the alternator's shot.

[Kitty2006]

I had a similar prob, it can be many things -

Try - (sorry to be obvious, but I'll list them all)
Check the radiator is full
Battery
Sparks are clean
Petrol cleaner fluid
No holes in the fuel tank
ECG unit

Mine turned out to have a hole in the fuel tank but only found this after I had sorted out all the other stuff - and my car isn't even that old - cr*p!

[Yamaharley_UK]

It can be many things, but not some of those ones!

NOT:

Radiator water level (wouldn't affect starting)
Spark plugs (engine would turn but not fire)
Fuel (as above)
Tank leaks (irrelevant)
Engine management system (the started motor doesn't go through this in the Clio)

It's a very basic electrical fault from the description - lack of battery power. The fact that it'll bump-start confirms this; after a rest period there's enough energy in the battery to run the engine but not to start it. The fact that the engine stops after a while tends to suggest that the battery isn't being charged.

So get the alternator checked (takes about 5 minutes).

It's less likely to be the battery itself, they don't usually fail that way.