197 non starter - Dephaser - help

[Jason S]

Hi,

Not much luck so far, two breakdowns in my 2nd week ownership.

1st camshaft sensor fault but car ran fine after.
2nd yesterday with dephaser error code and result towed back to Mkeynes from Manchester but Renault in Milton keynes cannot look at it until next tuesday.

Car is 2006 - 35k (done 500 miles since i owned it) and full renault service and cambelt done.

Great car but loosing faith and trust to get this fixed. Can anyone recomend a local trusted specialist around Mkeynes..

The car turns over very fine but doesnt start. RAC man said the timing is out and likely to be caused by the dephaser pulley being stuck on a timing setting too retarded por too advance hence non start.

Any had smillar faults.

So frustrating!!

 

[Foxspeed]

as far as i know they still run even when not working unless the timing has moved ie pulleys out of line

if the system fails it gives them a rough/noisey idle

is the tdc sensor ok?

 

[Tom RS 200]

Bit of a drive from MK, but Bucks Renault in Rabans Lane Aylesbury are good. Have had my 200 there for service and friends used then on R26 for cam belt and other bits and bobs. Good luck though, keep the faith great cars.

 

[Roy]

Sorry to hear about your problems but like Tom says don't loose heart as it will pay you back a thousand times over
You could have these probs with brand new ones
Enjoy

 

[Christopher]

The dephaser won't advance or retard it far enough to not allow you to start the car.

It'll be sensor-related. TDC is a favourite for the symptoms you have.

If the sensor can't detect the pulse from the sender on the flywheel, the ECU doesn't know the engine position and won't allow you any ignition. So it'll just crank over.

 

[MikeLYR27]

Bit of a drive from MK, but Bucks Renault in Rabans Lane Aylesbury are good. Have had my 200 there for service and friends used then on R26 for cam belt and other bits and bobs. Good luck though, keep the faith great cars.

I can vouch for this, i work 2 units from them, very good guys!

 

[Jason S]

Cheers guys. Keeping my fingers crossed on tuesday when marshalls renault does the diag. Having it trailored to mk i am now a bit stuck and renault uk said they would do something. Think once running will take it elsewhere.

Getting tired of my lovely 207 with biscuit tyres lol and cant wait to have her back.

 

[Jason S]

OK - update from renault dealer which i find confusing.

They tried the car on thursday and it started on the button no probs (they did not call as they wanted to double check with the master tech)

ECU fault logged

1 - Camshaft dephaser circuit fault
2 - Camshaft sensor signal fault
3 - Camshaft purge solenoid valve circuit

(1st time it broke down, it was camshaft signal fault)

The service manager has driven (driven the nuts off it by the sound of it) and no issues.

They have put it down to someone having disconected some sensors not cleared the error logs. Whilst that makes sense, as the cambelt was done days just before I got it, I also drove it some 500 miles without the car skipping a beat.

Also the dephaser circuit fault was not there.

I'm not convinced at all and loosing faith in the reliability of the car. The car behaving normally is exactly what happened last which I explained to renault!

Any ideas much appreciated.

 

[Foxspeed]

could be a tdc sensor - if they go faulty there are no fault codes for a non-start :001_huh:

usually starts being reluctant to start and then wont start at all...

also check the multi plugs that go round and over the top of the cam cover!

 

[Jason S]

Guys good news - car apparantly runs and will collect later - Dealer I bought the car should be picking up the tab.

Not convinced on Renault diags, and taken the advise of Bucks renault in Rabans lane having a crack at it..

Spoke to them this am and based on faults, it is likely to be a few things which they will be undertaking all works under the warranty policy I have and give me a run around whilst they sort out the route cause.

Have to say disapointed by Renault. But no surprise there, they were rubish when I had my 5GTT, 16v Chamade & 16v williams - My bad for having faith again in dealers.

Light at the end of the tunnel and thanks guys. Will keep u posted of final fix of route cause.

 

[Mike]

:welcome: to the site dude!

Glad it's all sorted!!

 

[Jason S]

Cheers -
sorted?? you would think. lol

Picked up late yesterday using spare key - Had a fun blast last night. Drove fine this am and locked car at work.

Went out at lunch key would not unlock - silly me with faith thought - spare key/duff battery and after scratching my door handle to get the gammed on cap off and get in. Car eventually recognised the key and started.:-(

Got to Renault marshalls and my main key colected is also the same. For good measure, bought a battery there and then- replaced and still no luck. Neither key will lock/unlock but car will start when inserted in the reader and taken out.

Service manager who dealt with my initial fault, had it looked at and verdict (not to my surprise this time) it is not something that we have seen. I can book you in for next week or if you leave it I can try and squeeze it in. WTF lol seriously.

Seriously thinking of cutting my losses and at this stage will contemplate a quick sale if this spree caries on. Such a shame as I love the drive of the car but the plague of faults is fast becoming a chronic Ball ache.

Going to bank on recomendation of guys in Rabans lane Alesbury one last time for all gremlins fixes- If not fixed, it will be a cheap 197 for grabs.

My Alfa 156 Selespeed was more reliable and that is the truth lol