help with my renault espace

[SIRUS]

hello all

i have a renault espace 2.0inj 1992.

about 4 weeks ago the alterator drive belt snapped and i have just got round to fixing it (hence to say it has been stood now for 4 weeks) the drive belt is now sorted but when i tried to start the car the engine turns over but it wont fire up if any one has any thought into what could be the problem i would be very greatful

sirus

[rivolette]

The alternator shaft may have been damaged (bent) as a result of the belt snapping. That can render the alternator useless. Check the alternator first. Make sure the shaft can move freely. I will not hurt to open it up and do a check on the inside.

That's where I'd start.

[larsen_huw]

Sirus,

Have you tried pumping the accelerator while turning the key? That works on old Fords.

Other than that, check you're getting a spark, and if you are, try spreying a little cold start down the air intake (WD40, or any flammable aerosol works as a substitute). This also is something i do on old Fords, don't know how much an injected car would like it though.

[SIRUS]

i dont think that the alternator would stop the car from being jump started any other ideas

sirus

[rivolette]

There was no mention of jump starting in your original post. However, I think the car not starting would have more to do with the fact that it was sitting for a month, than the fact that the belt snapped.

I'd make sure you have spark and that the other elements like coil, distributor, wires, spark plugs etc.. are working. Anything beyond that, would be difficult to say without physically being there.

One more thing, check all the relays/fuses in your fuse box (usually in the engine compartment)

Good luck :p

[friz]

This'll probably sound stupid but....

Last summer while washing my 98 Megane, I had the radio on..without knowing it, the fan was on as well...for about 3 hours while I washed, dryed, waxed, etc. End result, dead battery. Got the leads out and tryed jumping it from my other car. No dice. As I was parked on a hill, I was able to pop start it. Now came the fun part. I didn't realise that a Megan requires a certain charge in the battery to even tick over. So here's how it went. Pop start. Push in clutch, engine dies. Pop start, push in clutch, engine dies. This happened about 4 or five times as I was rapidly running out of hill. Finally was able to get it going enough to get out of town. Slowly cruised around on the road for about 5 minutes and it was the same thing. Every time I pushed in the clutch the engine would die. Then an old memory resurfaced. At least 3000 rpms to charge battery. Went around at higher speeds for about 20 mins and everything was good to go. So while you may not need the alternator to jump the car you will definately need a highly charged battery. Then again I'm most likely talking out my arse...

[rivolette]

That's fascinating. I wouldn't put it past a French engineer! I completely believe what you are saying. Good post! :groovy:

[jdwals]

Just reading this post, a situation a friend has found themselves in comes to mind. Last weekend herself and her husband went flying off somewhere Friday night and left their car parked in the airport. Came back on Sunday night and the car wouldn't start. Called the airport mech and spent an hour trying to jump start and what not but to no avail - stayed at a friends house that night as they live in Naas.
Ended up calling a garage and the mechanic (don't know which one) told them it was down to an electronic component in the engine that regulates the fuel intake and makes the car more efficient. Also said they are common in high performance engines.
Now what reminded me of this story is it is a Renault Megane Coupe that her husband drives ('98 or '99).
Now two things strike me - what are the chances that
A: this is a similar problem to the first post, or
B: that my friend has just been taken for a ride by some mechanic who saw a chance for a quick buck.
I'm leaning towards option B myself but anyone any ideas?

[WhipLash]

Originally posted by jdwals
...Also said they are common in high performance engines....

I'm just thinking, the Megane Coupe 98 probably only has a 1.6 engine of about 90 odd BHP, hmm....

[SIRUS]

hello ppl

it turns out that my alternator was phucked and was stopping the engine turning over but thanks for the help even tho the topic went on to talkin about megane's which was no help to me at all lol

sirus:D

[rivolette]

Very interesting, I'm not as dense as I thught. Thanks for updating us SIRUS ;)